The San Diego Padres are reportedly fielding trade interest on a reliever who isn’t Mason Miller. And that’s actually the more interesting part of this story.
According to Jon Heyman of the New York Post, left-handed reliever Wandy Peralta has been mentioned in active trade negotiations as the August 3 deadline approaches. The 34-year-old is having a career year in San Diego, and contending teams might see him as a cheaper alternative to Miller, who has drawn most of the attention in trade rumors.
“One Padres reliever actively being discussed in trades is Wandy Peralta,” Heyman reported. “Solid lefty with a 2.32 ERA (this season).”
Why Peralta’s Name Keeps Coming Up
Peralta has thrown 50.1 innings this season and posted a 2.32 ERA, which would be a career best if it holds. He’s not a flashy name and he doesn’t have a single save this year. But he does have three holds and a 1.272 WHIP with 32 strikeouts. For teams looking to add bullpen depth without giving up a top prospect, that profile makes sense.
The Padres are sitting at 50-51 heading into Wednesday’s game against Atlanta. They’re just outside a Wild Card spot, which puts the front office in a weird spot. Do they buy? Do they sell? The fact that both Miller and Peralta are in trade conversations suggests the front office is leaning toward the latter, even if they won’t say it out loud.
Miller is the bigger name, obviously. But Peralta might actually be the easier deal to make. He’s older, cheaper, and a free agent after this season. A contender could slot him into a middle-relief role without upsetting their bullpen hierarchy. Plus, he’s left-handed, which always adds a little value in a deadline deal.
The Padres haven’t confirmed anything publicly. But the rumor mill is clear: Peralta’s name is out there, and it’s not just background noise.
If San Diego does move him, it’ll be a quiet trade for a guy who’s quietly having the best year of his career. And maybe that’s exactly the kind of deal that makes sense for both sides right now.
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