Writer Thinks Padres May Target 2 Cubs Starters in Possible Trade

Some interesting, potential roster changes for San Diego!

The 2023 MLB trade deadline is just under two months away and as the months loom closer, we may see the San Diego Padres become buyers and try to change their season around for the better. We saw them pull off the blockbuster move for Juan Soto last year and even though a trade like that probably won't be in the works for them this time around, they have a number of options.

San Diego currently sits at 29-33 on the year and even though they remain at fourth place in the NL West, the division is still wide open. If they are able to turn things around over the next couple of months, they'll put themselves in good shape once the playoffs roll around and all of the early obstacles will be forgotten.

But the Friars are coming off of a rather disappointing series against the Chicago Cubs where they barely were able to pull out one win and most of their struggles were still very clear. The big roster move they made in the last few weeks (signing Gary Sanchez) has been a huge victory thus far and The Athletic's Dennis Lin believes that some potential trade targets for the front office were right in front of SD when they faced the Cubs.

What will be the Padres record in their last 100 games? pic.twitter.com/JAqUdyDaGl

— Talking Friars (@TalkingFriars) June 8, 2023

Two Positions Of Need

The Friars have experienced some serious inconsistency at both the pitching mound and the catcher position and that's why the Gary Sanchez signing was huge. However, Austin Nola still has a role on the team and he has not trended upwards just yet.

Then you take a look at the pitching rotation and the production hasn't been there like San Diego has hoped. Therefore, Lin noticed that two Cubs starters could fit in nicely with the Padres.

"Eight weeks before the Aug. 1 trade deadline, the

Padres

received an up-close look at a battery of potential acquisition targets.

Marcus Stroman

, the

Cubs’

No. 1 starter, has a 2.39 earned-run average.

Yan Gomes

, who caught Stroman on Sunday at Petco Park, is hitting .271 with seven home runs. Either player could help a team that has a need behind the plate and, like everyone else, a desire for frontline pitching. The Padres began this week four games under .500, but with record investments from ownership and season-ticket holders, they are too pot-committed to not explore ways to upgrade an underwhelming product."

(Via The Athletic)

Marcus Stroman did the Soto Shuffle after striking out Juan Soto 👀 pic.twitter.com/NKoldNoZYh

— Talkin’ Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) June 5, 2023

We'll have to see if this transpires into actual rumors in the following weeks!