The Cleveland Guardians may look to cut ties with their star outfielder, Steven Kwan, ahead of the trade deadline, and the San Diego Padres are the perfect fit.

On the other, it's clear that San Diego is a cut below the NL's best right now, 3.5 games back of the hated Los Angeles Dodgers in the NL West. With Dylan Cease, Michael King and more key players set to hit free agency this winter,

The Cleveland Guardians and San Diego Padres have been linked to a major trade ahead of the MLB trade deadline.

The Padres have multiple needs and a thinner farm system than a year ago, which might mean they have to settle for another rental or two.

The Padres entered play Tuesday with a 3.60 team ERA -- the best mark in the National League. They’ve managed it, somehow, despite a revolving door at the back of their starting rotation. Yu Darvish missed the first 3 1/2 months.

Typically, the MLB trade deadline is a time when teams decide whether to be buyers or sellers as they either prepare for the postseason or look to the future.

The Boston Red Sox are considering trading Jarren Duran away, with the San Diego Padres and Philadelphia Phillies waiting in the wings.

The San Diego Padres need an upgrade in left field, and a Cleveland Guardians outfielder may be exactly what they're looking for.

At this point, the Orioles probably don’t need anymore cause to get Elias out of Baltimore, but if he moves Rutschman over the next few days, it would certainly be the final straw. When he fired Brandon Hyde earlier this season, it sparked an uproar because Hyde became the scapegoat for the real problem.

While the Padres have the best combined bullpen ERA in baseball at 3.15, the idea of any of those teams plucking Duran (or Jax) should compel them into a pursuit. San Diego has largely succeeded so far because of that bullpen, and allowing competitors to narrow the gap does not bode well for their October hopes.