It’s World Series or bust for the San Diego Padres, and that’s the unmistakable message emanating from Petco Park.
By acquiring 1B/DH Ryan O’Hearn and OF Ramon Laureano from the Orioles in return for a package of six minor leaguers, the Friars crossed two more items off their 2025 MLB trade deadline to-do list. At the trade deadline, San Diego took care of two of their more pressing needs: bench depth and a left fielder.
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O’Hearn is currently having a very successful year. Before the season, the 32-year-old changed his offensive strategy and is now hitting the ball harder than ever before, which has resulted in an OPS that is almost 100 points better than his career average. He can play first base and, in a pinch, both corner outfield positions, but his primary role is that of a designated hitter, a position the Friars needed some more pop from.
One of the game’s top defensive outfielders for a long time has been Laureano. His bat seemed to have overtaken his glove this year. Before August, the 31-year-old had already reached career highs in RBI and home runs. Both of the recent acquisitions are signed to one-year contracts; following the season, they will become free agents.
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The Padres gave Baltimore LHP Boston Bateman, IF Brandon Butterworth, IF Cobb Hightower, IF/OF Victor Figueroa, RHP Tyson Neighbors, and RHP Tanner Smith in exchange for further depleting their farm system. According to MLB Pipeline, Bateman is the best ranked player among the group, ranking fourth in the San Diego system. None of the players heading to the Orioles have made it past Double-A, and he is now at low-single A Lake Elsinore.
The Friars traded experienced left-handed starter Nestor Cortes for backup outfielder Brandon Lockridge in a last-ditch effort before the deadline. Since April 3, the former Yankees star has not made a major league pitch. On July 24, Cortes began his final rehabilitation session while recovering from an elbow flexor strain. Only three years ago, the 30-year-old was named an All-Star.
