Just over a month into the 2025 MLB season, it’s clear the San Diego Padres need to make an upgrade at left field.

The trade deadline falls on July 31 this season, and some teams are already emerging as sellers.

The position was vacated by Jurickson Profar after last season. He played at an All-Star level in 2024 and was one of three Padres outfielders named to the N.L. All-Star team. This past winter, he signed a multi-year contract with the Atlanta Braves.

The Padres addressed the vacancy by signing Jason Heyward and Connor Joe. Heyward has been solid defensively, but his offensive production so far has left much to be desired. Joe has contributed next to nothing in the seven games he’s played in this season.

The Padres are in a tight division race with the Los Angeles Dodgers and San Francisco Giants. The three teams are separated by just 1.5 games. Without adding another quality bat, the Friars are sure to get left behind as the season progresses. With some teams likely already out of the postseason race, they will soon start looking past 2025. This opens an opportunity for general manager A.J. Preller to find an upgrade and round out the lineup.

Preller will look for an outfielder that won’t cost his best prospects and who comes with a team-friendly salary. This article looks at three outfielders who fit that criteria.

Taylor Ward 

The Los Angeles Angels are in last place in the AL West. They’ve lost 10 of their last 14 games and currently sit five games below .500.

The Angels have a reputation of being a team without a clear vision to return to contention. Mike Trout is only getting older. They haven’t drafted well. Their highest-paid player, Anthony Rendon, has been underwhelming since he arrived.

It makes sense for the Angels to wipe their slate clean and start over. If and when they start dealing players for prospects, Taylor Ward likely will be dealt.

Ward is right-handed, making him a good fit in the Padres’ balanced lineup. He hits the ball hard, makes a lot of contact on pitches in the strike zone, and has great range in left field. He’s struggled to reach base this season consistently. His .195 BABIP might have something to do with that.

Ward is earning $7.8 million this season and still has one more arbitration year.

Lars Nootbar 

The St. Louis Cardinals are playing .500 ball so far this season. Going into 2025, they were believed to focus on developing younger players and shed payroll.

Lars Nootbar has two more arbitration years after this season. It’s unknown if the Cardinals intend to keep him in their plans. They could trade him if they see a return they like.

Nootbar is earning just under $3 million this season. That’s a steal for the amount of production he’s contributed to this point. He’s reached base at a .374 clip, making him the type of player the Padres want in their lineup.

Like Ward, Nootbar makes good contact and hits the ball hard. He has great plate discipline and doesn’t strike out a whole lot. Defensively, he has great range as a left fielder.

Nootbar could return a sizable amount of prospect capital. With two years of team control remaining, the Cardinals aren’t in a hurry to deal him. However, acquiring Nootbar would easily be viewed as another Preller success.

Cedric Mullins 

Thought to be a contender in the AL East, the Baltimore Orioles instead are in a free fall. The O’s have lost 11 of their last 15 and are 10 games under .500. It’s quickly becoming a situation where they punt to 2026.

Cedric Mullins will be a free agent after this season. Due to this fact, he could be the easiest to acquire out of these three outfielders. He’s a center fielder but can slide in easily at left field.

Mullins offers speed, pop, and outfield range. His presence in left would give the Padres another All-Star studded outfield. His .815 OPS gives the Padres the offensive boost they’ve been missing at the position.

The only drawback is that Mullins is the most expensive of the three options. He’s earning $8.725 million this season. The upside is that his salary immediately comes off the books once the season ends.

Even if only a rental, Mullins is the caliber of player the Padres need for a late-season playoff push and beyond. Of these three, Mullins might make the most sense.

Mike Ursery

Mike is the sports editor for the Fayette Advertiser, and has been with East Village Times since 2015. His work has appeared on Bleacher Report. He is an avid Padres fan who is keeping the faith and trusting the process.