If the San Diego Padres wish to be true contenders, it appears they will need another strong bat or two.
While they currently sit squarely in a Wild Card spot at 39-32, this is a team that currently ranks 16th in MLB in batting average, 20th in OPS, and 18th in runs scored. Of the 12 teams currently projected to make the playoffs, they are one of only two that has yet to score 300 runs.
In a division race that includes the superteam Los Angeles Dodgers and the San Francisco Giants with newly-acquired slugger Rafael Devers, the Padres will have to make some moves at the trade deadline to shore up their lineup.
Some have linked the Padres to Chicago White Sox outfielder Luis Robert Jr., who has been the subject of trade rumors for the last two seasons. Someone will likely take a swing on the 27-year-old slugger, but one writer believes it should not be the Padres.
James Clark of the East Village Times noted Robert currently is hitting .194 with a .590 OPS. These are not good numbers, especially for Robert's standards as a 2023 Silver Slugger winner.
"Some see these numbers and point to the fact that he plays for the White Sox and is just going through the motions," Clark wrote. "He’s not challenged, they say. Well, if that were true, is that the type of personality you want on the Padres? Someone who cannot motivate themself internally. Robert also has a reputation for not hustling and has even been pulled from games for not running out ground balls. Character issues should not be ignored."
The Padres may need to look elsewhere to beef up their lineup.