Expecting to be one of the most potent offenses in Major League Baseball, the San Diego Padres currently rank just 23rd in the league in runs scored.
With an offense this futile, there are many places to point the finger at, from a career-worst Xander Bogaerts season to underwhelming performances from stars Luis Arráez and Fernando Tatís Jr. to a punchless bench. Above all else, however, is the complete failure to replace Jurickson Profar’s production in left field. The Padres chose to let the 2024 All-Star walk in free agency and replace him with 35-year-old Jason Heyward. While Profar has yet to play for the Atlanta Braves after getting suspended for PEDs, the Padres can’t exactly be thrilled with their decision, as Heyward posted a .494 OPS before getting released on June 24.
Without Heyward, the Padres have moved breakout designated hitter Gavin Sheets to left field, but the 29-year-old has long been a disastrous defender during his MLB career, and his move to the outfield does nothing to solve the black hole in the Padres order. The club would be best served to keep Sheets at DH and find a legitimate everyday outfielder, and Bleacher Report’s Kerry Miller believes they could find one in an ‘outrageous’ way with Chicago White Sox veteran Andrew Benintendi.
“To put it lightly, left field has been an adventure for the Padres, with nine players combining for a sub-.600 OPS,” wrote Miller.” They released Jason Heyward on Wednesday, and he had been the team leader in plate appearances in left. Gavin Sheets has been fine as the primary offering there in recent weeks. However, when he's in left field, DH becomes the adventure for San Diego. The moral of the story is they need to do something, and options are limited.
The reason this deal is so far-fetched is that Benintendi still has over two years and $32 million left on the five-year, $75 million he signed in the 2022 offseason, which is still the largest deal in White Sox history. Benintendi’s performance through the first two and half years has been an objective disappointment, as he has posted a .692 OPS and taken -23 Outs Above Average in left field. Still, he is currently in the midst of his best offensive season since his 2022 All-Star campaign with the Kansas City Royals, tallying 10 home runs and a 106 OPS+. The Padres have never shied away from questionable contracts, and perhaps they believe they can unlock another level like they did with Sheets, Benintendi’s former White Sox teammate.
For the White Sox, meanwhile, the motivation for this trade is simple. They would rid themselves of their worst contract, open up more at-bats for young players, and acquire an interesting young arm in pitching prospect Clark Candiotti, the Padres fourth-round pick from last season who has struck out 43 batters in 30 High-A innings.
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