It’s unclear whether the Padres will be buyers or sellers at the MLB trade deadline, but there is a general consensus president of baseball operations A.J. Preller will orchestrate a wild deal.

Entering Friday’s game against the Royals, the Padres were 3 ½ games out of an NL wild-card spot. Depending on how the next two weeks unfold for San Diego, the front office will decide which route to go.

If the Padres choose to sell at the Aug. 3 deadline, Kevin Acee of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports the team is open to trading a number of its stars.

“Multiple sources said the Padres have not ruled out anything, including the possibility of trading closer Mason Miller, high-leverage lefty Adrian Morejón or [Michael] King,” Acee wrote.

Last summer, Preller pulled off the deal of the deadline by acquiring Miller from the Athletics. There’s reason to believe the Padres closer could leave the team by the end of the month if San Diego’s spiral continues.

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King was also dealt to San Diego in the trade that sent Juan Soto to the Yankees in 2023. The right-hander is sporting a 3.41 ERA with 92 strikeouts across 108.1 innings pitched. He has a 6-7 record this season.

King’s mark is similar to his 3.44 ERA in 2025, a season that was headlined by injuries for the pitcher.

Morejon is the only hurler of the trio who wasn’t acquired via trade. The Padres signed the reliever as an international free agent from Cuba. The lefty has posted a 3.42 ERA, which is far higher than his 2.08 ERA last season.

Miller is baseball’s best closer, and it would certainly be tough for San Diego to lose such a talented star. However, the Padres have endured a rough season, and things can’t continue as they are.

Preller has largely operated under the element of surprise, so the Padres shouldn’t be underestimated heading into the trade deadline.