Padres linked to injured Rangers pitcher Tyler Mahle in July 2025 trade rumors as the team awaits updates on Michael King and Xander Bogaerts. Will they risk it?
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
The Padres may have had a day off the field on Tuesday, but the front office was anything but idle. With the team holding a precarious grip on a playoff spot, reports have surfaced linking San Diego to Texas Rangers starter Tyler Mahle, a move that signals A.J. Preller's trademark aggression even when targeting a player currently on the injured list.
The San Francisco Giants are just half a game back.
The name on everyone's lips is Tyler Mahle. While the right-hander is currently on the 15-day IL with right shoulder fatigue, the interest speaks volumes about the Padres' need for starting pitching. This is a classic Preller-style move: targeting high-upside talent, even with risks attached. With Michael King's return still uncertain, adding an arm like Mahle, if he can get healthy, could be the key to a deep October run. It's a gamble, but one this front office has never been afraid to make.
The urgency for pitching help is underscored by the continued absence of Michael King, who hasn't toed the rubber since a shoulder injury on May 18. Meanwhile, the Friar Faithful are still waiting for a definitive update on shortstop Xander Bogaerts after he recently exited a game with what was described as a 'severe cramp.' The lack of concrete news on two of the team's most important players adds a layer of anxiety as the season's second half gets underway.
Every game, and every potential transaction, is magnified by the current standings. At 45-38, the Padres sit in second place in the NL West but, more importantly, hold the third and final NL Wild Card spot. The margin for error is razor-thin, with the rival San Francisco Giants lurking just half a game behind. Current projections give the Padres a 54.7% chance of making the postseason, a number the front office is desperately trying to improve before the deadline.
While the big league club navigates a tense pennant race, the future of the organization continues to shine. Top prospects Ethan Salas (18) and Leo De Vries (17) are making waves, holding their own against much older competition in High-A and Single-A, respectively. Assistant farm director Mike Daly recently reiterated the club's philosophy of aggressively challenging its young talent, a strategy that is building a foundation for sustained success in San Diego.
While the off day provided a much-needed breather for the players, the heat is clearly on for the front office. With injuries looming and the playoff race tightening, the coming weeks will be crucial. All eyes are now on A.J. Preller to see if the Mahle rumors materialize into the kind of bold, mid-season splash that could define the Padres' 2025 campaign.
