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Padres Eye Senga, Devers as MLB Trade Deadline Rumors Swirl

The Padres have checked in on Mets starter Kodai Senga and are considering a move for Rafael Devers, according to the New York Post and MLB Trade Rumors. Meanwhile, a speculative Yankees-Giants package involving Devers and Jung-Hoo Lee has added fuel to deadline chatter.

Padres Eye Senga, Devers as MLB Trade Deadline Rumors Swirl

Padres Eye Senga, Devers as MLB Trade Deadline Rumors Swirl

The short answer

These are the final days of MLB's trade deadline, and teams are scrambling for last-minute upgrades. According to the New York Post, the San Diego Padres—one of the most active teams under A.J. Preller—have checked in on Mets right-hander Kodai Senga, a pitcher they pursued as a free agent after the 2022 season. MLB Trade Rumors also reports the Padres have interest in Senga and in Boston's Rafael Devers, a longtime Preller target. The problem: Devers has seven years and $211 million left on his contract, which the Post calls one of the most unappealing deals in baseball. The Padres want lefty hitting and starting pitching, and both players address those needs. Separately, Yanks Go Yard floated an expanded Yankees-Giants trade package that would send Devers and Jung-Hoo Lee to New York, but the article calls it unlikely. The same piece mentions Tarik Skubal and Mason Miller as popular but uncertain deadline targets. No verified deal is close for any of these players, but the combination of Preller's aggressive reputation and the deadline's urgency has generated significant buzz. Injuries to Shea Langeliers and Spencer Steer have also reshaped the trade market, per the Yanks Go Yard piece, making starting pitching and power hitters even more valuable. In short, this is a deadline rumor cycle centered on star names and complicated contracts, with the Padres and Yankees trying to make something happen.

Why it's trending

The trigger is the MLB trade deadline: with the deadline imminent, reports from the New York Post and MLB Trade Rumors revealed that the Padres—known for A.J. Preller's hyperactive deadline approach—are exploring both Kodai Senga and Rafael Devers. The public nature of those conversations, combined with a speculative Yankees-Giants package floated by Yanks Go Yard, turned 'MLB trades today' into a top search as fans track last-minute moves.

The Padres are among the most aggressive teams at this year's trade deadline, and the New York Post reports they have checked in on Mets starter Kodai Senga and are considering a move for Rafael Devers. MLB Trade Rumors confirms the Padres' interest in both players. San Diego has been determined to add lefty hitting and starting pitching, according to the Post, and Senga and Devers fit those needs—though both come with complications.

The New York Post notes that Senga has been plagued by 'bad health and performance,' and the Padres previously pursued him as a free agent after the 2022 season. Devers has 'seven years at $211 million left on his pact,' which the Post calls one of the most unappealing remaining contracts in the majors. Yanks Go Yard, in a separate speculative piece, acknowledges the Yankees need a 'game-changing' move and suggests a package with Devers and Jung-Hoo Lee from the Giants, but admits it's unlikely. The same article mentions Tarik Skubal and Mason Miller as 'fun' rumors, leaving real traction unclear.

The Padres' interest in Senga dates back to the 2022-23 offseason, when they pursued him as a free agent, per the Post. Now, with the deadline approaching, they have rekindled that interest. Multiple sources told the Post that Preller has at least considered ways to acquire Devers. The Yanks Go Yard piece, dated to this deadline cycle, frames the Giants as desperate, with Buster Posey's limited impact and Tony Vitello's disastrous first year. Injuries to Shea Langeliers and Spencer Steer have also reshaped the market, per the same article.

No trade is done yet. Senga's health and Devers's contract are significant obstacles. The Padres' known aggression means they could pivot to other targets, while the Yankees may explore 'game-changing' options beyond the obvious names. The next few hours will determine whether the Senga and Devers rumors become reality or remain deadline noise.

Timeline

  1. Padres pursued Senga as free agent

    San Diego was interested in Kodai Senga before he signed with the Mets, according to the New York Post.

  2. Padres check in on Senga

    The New York Post and MLB Trade Rumors report San Diego has inquired about Mets starter Kodai Senga despite his health and performance issues.

  3. Padres consider Rafael Devers

    Multiple sources tell the New York Post that A.J. Preller has considered ways to acquire Devers, who has $211 million over seven years remaining on his contract.

  4. Yanks-Giants Devers package floated

    Yanks Go Yard speculates on an expanded package sending Devers and Jung-Hoo Lee to New York, though the article calls it unlikely.

Questions people ask

Are the Padres close to trading for Kodai Senga?

No deal is reported. The Padres have 'checked in' on Senga, according to the New York Post and MLB Trade Rumors, but his injury history and performance make any trade complex.

Why would the Padres want Rafael Devers?

They need lefty hitting, per the Post, and Preller has long liked Devers. However, his contract—seven years and $211 million remaining—is a major hurdle.

What is the Yankees-Giants trade speculation?

Yanks Go Yard proposed an expanded deal that would send Devers and Jung-Hoo Lee to New York from San Francisco, but the same article calls it unlikely and speculative.

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