The San Diego Padres are gearing up for a pivotal MLB trade deadline, with a focus on enhancing their roster. General Manager A.J. Preller is expected to pursue significant upgrades, potentially targeting a catcher, left fielder, bullpen help, or even a starting pitcher. However, changes may not be limited to new acquisitions; the Padres could also trade away existing players to better fit their needs. A recent trend in MLB involves teams both buying and selling at the deadline, and the Padres may follow suit by offloading veterans.

Writer Dennis Lin of The Athletic suggests three players who could be moved: Dylan Cease, Robert Suarez, and Jake Cronenworth. While Cease and Suarez are set to hit free agency and could bring a substantial return, Cronenworth's partial no-trade clause complicates things. He remains a valuable asset for the Padres, drawing interest from other teams, despite his ability to block certain trades. The Padres face the reality of potentially losing talent while still being buyers at the deadline, raising the stakes for both sides of the transaction.

The San Diego Padres are in a prime playoff position and are also anticipated to be aggressive buyers as the trade deadline approaches. Interestingly, a recent poll showed that Padres fans are largely in favor of trading Robert Suarez, a pitcher with an expiring contract. In fact, 78% of fans expressed their willingness to move on from the 34-year-old, who has been struggling after a solid start this season.

While Suarez boasts an impressive MLB-best 24 saves this year, his performance has taken a downturn with a 4.04 ERA overall, exacerbated by a troubling June where he posted a staggering 7.94 ERA. Fans seem to recognize the need to capitalize on his value before he potentially walks in free agency, making the decision to trade him a sound organizational strategy.

In an eventful match, San Diego Padres closer Robert Suarez showcased his competitive spirit during a tense game against the Los Angeles Dodgers, resulting in a benches-clearing incident. Following the ejection of both managers, Suarez retaliated against Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani, facing ejection himself. Despite the dustup, Suarez has been a reliable closer this season, securing his 22nd save with a commendable 3.51 ERA. However, he now faces a two-game suspension after appealing a three-game ban, missing crucial games against the Washington Nationals and Cincinnati Reds.

The league's decision highlights the ongoing rivalry between the Padres and Dodgers, with both teams vying for supremacy in the NL West. As the season progresses and playoff spots become more competitive, the effectiveness and availability of pitchers like Suarez will prove vital for the Padres' postseason ambitions.