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Padres rumors: 3 trades San Diego should make next after acquiring Josh Hader

By Jake Oliver

LOS ANGELES, CA - JULY 26: Juan Soto #22 of the Washington Nationals is greeted in the dugout after scoring a run during the game against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium on July 26, 2022 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - JULY 26: Juan Soto #22 of the Washington Nationals is greeted in the dugout after scoring a run during the game against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium on July 26, 2022 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images) /
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Padres rumors, Ian Happ rumors
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – JULY 17: Ian Happ #8 of the Chicago Cubs is congratulated in the dugout after scoring in the fourth inning at Wrigley Field on July 17, 2022 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Chase Agnello-Dean/Getty Images) /

Padres Rumors: Go get Ian Happ and Willson Contreras

As mentioned before, the Padres need a left-handed hitting outfielder. Their lineup skews too right-hand-heavy and is full of just bland outfielders. Trent Grisham, Wil Meyers, Nomar Mazara, and Jurickson Profar aren’t getting the job done.

So, they go get Ian Happ from the Cubs. He’s an All-Star player that is under control for 2023 too. He has plenty of power, and contact ability, and has proven to be an above-average regular for the Cubs. The best part is he comes insanely cheaper than Juan Soto does.

Happ could take over left field for the Padres and give them some much-needed offensive boost to a lineup with a struggling duo of Hosmer/Machado and a missing Tatis. They could add even more firepower if they pull off a double trade with the Cubs and acquire the big bat of Willson Contreras.

Willson might not catch much for whatever new team he goes to which is okay for the Padres. They have multiple other reliable catchers like Austin Nola. The good news is that Willson knows how to play first or DH. He could take over as the everyday first baseman for Eric Hosmer or shove Luke Voit to first and he becomes the DH. Either way, the Padres’ offense is vastly improved with Contreras in their lineup.

He brings solid right-handed power, a great eye at the plate, and playoff experience to a lineup with not much in the terms of playoff experience. He’s only a rental so his price will be markedly lower than Happ or Soto. Still, they could get Happ and Contreras for cheaper than Soto.

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