Pirates’ LF Considered Trade Option for Padres
A Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder may be heading back to the West Coast as the San Diego Padres are looking for reinforcements at his position.
The Padres are currently facing a lack of depth in left field due to injuries and other roster issues, leaving them in a tough spot. Jason Heyward is on the 10-day injured list with a left oblique strain, and San Diego has been relying on a combination of Gavin Sheets, Tyler Wade, and Brandon Lockridge. Sheets, who has experience at first base and right field, has never played left field, while Wade has only appeared in one game at the position despite playing 16 games in center field. Lockridge has been the most consistent option, playing left field in five of the past six games, though he’s struggled offensively.
The Padres had utility player Connor Joe, a former Pirate, but traded him to the Cincinnati Reds. They also released Oscar Gonzalez and failed to re-sign Jurickson Profar, who started 148 games in left field for them last season before signing with the Atlanta Braves.
For now, Lockridge looks to be the Padres’ primary left fielder, but his performance at the plate has been underwhelming, with a slash line of .197/.258/.262 and an OPS of .520.
Mark Polishuk of MLB Trade Rumors recently noted several potential trade candidates, including Pirates left fielder Tommy Pham, who played for the Padres in 2020 and 2021. Despite his struggles this season with Pittsburgh, Pham could be a target for his former team.
Pham’s numbers with the Pirates have been disappointing—he’s slashing .198/.277/.230 with a .507 OPS, tallying just 25 hits in 126 at-bats, no home runs, and only seven RBIs. However, he’s been solid defensively, with a 1.000 fielding percentage and six defensive runs saved above average in 33 starts and 37 games played in left field.
Pham signed a one-year, $4 million contract with the Pirates this offseason, marking his 10th team in 12 years in Major League Baseball. During his time with the Padres in 2020 and 2021, Pham posted a .226/.335/.370 slash line with 132 hits, 26 doubles, 18 home runs, and 61 RBIs.
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