Padres Looking Into Market For Left-Handed Bats

The Padres are trying to add a left-handed bat in the next two hours. Jon Heyman of The New York Post reports they’ve had discussions with the Twins about Trevor Larnach. Heyman also linked them to a pair of potential Cardinals’ trade candidates, Alec Burleson and Lars Nootbaar. Dennis Lin of The Athletic similarly reports that the Friars are looking for a left-handed bat in addition to an ongoing pitching search. They already acquired Robbie Ray from the Giants this afternoon but could certainly use another reliable starter behind Ray and Michael King. Mark Feinsand of MLB.com lists them among the teams in touch with the Mets regarding Clay Holmes. There’s a decent supply of lefty-hitting outfielders on this year’s market. Most of them fit nicely in left field, arguably the biggest weakness in San Diego’s lineup. Burleson has been a full-time first baseman this year but has plenty of outfield experience, albeit as a below-average defender. Larnach is having a strong year and could be swapped for MLB bullpen help. Minnesota already tried to do that with the Astros before Houston’s owner nixed the trade. St. Louis could deal Nootbaar to open the left field job for power-hitting outfield prospect Joshua Baez. The Padres lost Ramón Laureano to season-ending hip surgery. They’ve been using Gavin Sheets mostly in left field of late. He’s out of position there and hasn’t hit since May. San Diego could push Sheets to the bench or off the roster entirely with an outside acquisition who could take a strong side platoon role along with rookie Jase Bowen in left field. View Comments (1)