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The San Diego Padres are moving on to Plan C after Gavin Sheets’ injury.
Sheets exited Sunday’s game against the Pittsburgh Pirates after colliding with the left field wall. He is now the team’s second left fielder to suffer an injury after Jason Heyward was placed on the IL on May 24.
Now, the Padres continue their search for an outfielder in the trade market, and Taylor Ward is a strong candidate for the Padres to consider.
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Ward entered Monday slashing .217/.272/.493 with an OPS+ of 111. However, the power in his bat is showing with 16 home runs and 38 RBI.
The 31-year-old slugger would provide the Padres lineup with a bit of juice as they entered Monday tied for 23rd in baseball with 53 home runs and 222 RBI.
For the Angels, Ward has been a steady bat in the lineup over the last several seasons. While he’s played a lot of third base due to Anthony Rendon’s inability to stay healthy, he’s capable of playing left field as well.
Ward’s defense in left field is league average at best, but that shouldn’t deter general manager A.J. Preller and the Padres. They have a strong defender in Jackson Merrill in centerfield who would certainly help cover for Ward, who doesn’t have as much range.
If the Padres were to pursue Ward, they wouldn’t have to give up a major return. He’s under team control through next season, so San Diego would be on the hook for the rest of the $7.825 million he’s owed this year plus his arbitration salary for next season.
This is a move the Padres should try to make as the trade deadline nears. With Ward’s team control winding down, the Angels will be offloading him sooner rather than later.
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