New MLB Trade Rumors Reveal Possible Rafael Devers, Kodai Senga Landing Spot Ahead of Deadline

The San Diego Padres are reportedly checking on some notable names ahead of Monday's MLB trade deadline.

Joel Sherman of the New York Post reported Sunday that Padres general manager A.J. Preller "has at least considered ways to acquire one of his long-time targets, Rafael Devers."

However, there are surely plenty of blockades standing in the way of San Diego ending up with the San Francisco Giants slugger.

On the one hand, he has seven years and $211 remaining on a contract that Sherman described as "one of the most unappealing" in the league. What's more, he is also on a division rival, and San Francisco would surely need to be blown away by an offer to move him within the National League West.

Still, Sherman noted "the Padres have been determined to add lefty-hitting and starting pitching at this deadline."

With that as the backdrop, Sherman also reported they "checked in on" New York Mets pitcher Kodai Senga in an "investigating and inquiring mode."

Senga has made 13 appearances with eight starts this season and an ugly 8.66 ERA. That is not exactly appealing on paper, although he made 22 starts last season and was an All-Star with 29 starts during the 2023 campaign.

The right-hander posted a 3.02 ERA, 1.32 WHIP and 109 strikeouts in 113.1 innings last season. Perhaps a change of scenery from a struggling Mets team could help him rediscover that form he showed just last year, which is surely something the Padres have considered.

As for Devers, his resume includes a World Series title, three All-Star Game nods and two Silver Sluggers. He has 22 home runs and 61 RBI this season and would be a significant boost to any team that acquired him.

San Diego is just one game behind the Philadelphia Phillies and Arizona Diamondbacks in the race for the final National League wild-card spot. If it is aggressive at the deadline with a notable acquisition or two such as Devers or Senga, that could make the difference in a tight race for limited spots.