The San Diego Padres, thanks to A.J. Preller, are no strangers to making some massive trades. They made two huge trades involving Juan Soto, and at the 2025 MLB trade deadline, acquired Mason Miller in a stunning deal.
But this winter, with the looming sale of the team, the Padres' future is a little more uncertain. While a few starting pitchers need to come to the Padres, Preller could ship off some of their assets this winter.
But, according to Kevin Acee of The San Diego Union-Tribune, Preller and the Padres are reportedly working on multiple fronts to swing a deal that would rival the blockbuster trade with the New York Yankees involving Soto two years ago.
Padres trade rumor hints at stunning Juan Soto-esque trade
"Two sources familiar with the Padres' discussions said Preller is shooting big." Acee writes. "One source said the Padres are working multiple fronts that could result in deals that rival the massive trade in which they acquired four major leaguers in exchange for Juan Soto and Trent Grisham at the winter meetings two years ago."
Preller making trades is all but a certainty this winter. But this report paints a picture that a blockbuster trade is in the works, or at least in consideration for the Padres.
A trade rivaling the return for Soto and Grisham likely would mean that a core player on the team would be dealt. Mason Miller isn't likely to go anywhere, which leaves a few other key names to monitor.
More: Ethan Salas floated in trade rumors as Padres have moves to make in offseason
Top prospect Ethan Salas, who's fallen in prospect rankings over the last year, could be a trade candidate to help land top talent in the rotation or elsewhere.
But players like Fernando Tatis Jr. And Xander Bogaerts are names that cannot be ignored this offseason. If Preller is planning something big that rivals a Soto trade, then Tatis, or an equivalent player, would likely be involved.
"Another source said Preller's plans coming to fruition would make the deals he made at the past two trade deadlines pale in comparison," Acee writes.
With all of this smoke, the Padres and Preller cannot be ignored for the rest of the offseason. A blockbuster trade could be in the works, as multiple sources told Acee that Preller is eyeing some blockbuster trades this winter.
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