There is one clear need for the San Diego Padres in the build-up to the MLB trade deadline: a corner outfielder. With the injury to Jackson Merrill, a concussion that put him on the seven-day injured list, the outfield is even more of a need.

In an article from former MLB executive Jim Bowden in The Athletic, he makes six trades that he wants to see happen. The Padres are involved in one, and he has the team linking up with the Chicago White Sox and acquiring their $50 million outfielder, Luis Robert Jr. Bowden also included the return package, which would include prospects Kash Mayfield, Kavares Tears, and Cobb Hightower.

"Several teams would like to trade for him," Bowden writes. "But I like the fit with the Padres, where he could play left field alongside Jackson Merrill in center and Fernando Tatis Jr. in right."

If Robert were a different name, or his stats came tied to a no-name, there wouldn't be nearly as much hype surrounding a team acquiring him. In 2025, Robert is batting a paltry .194 across 223 at-bats. He has 43 hits, 25 runs scored, eight doubles, six home runs, and 28 RBIs on the year. 

While those numbers aren't great, he does have a few areas of his game where there is a lot of optimism. In 2025, Robert is among the league's best in stolen bases, as he's stolen 21 bags during the year, already two away from tying his previous career high. He's also two years removed from an incredible 2023 campaign where he launched 38 home runs and secured 36 doubles.

The potential with Robert is enticing, and is the reason why a team like the Padres would benefit from adding him more than others. Robert isn't joining the team to be the focal point. Instead, he's the team's third-best outfielder and won't be forced to be a team leader.

A change of scenery is the perfect outcome for Robert, and even if he doesn't fully pan out, it'd be well worth a shot for the Padres to take. If he does work out, and Robert begins to hit like he did in 2023 after the Padres acquire him, they would've landed a steal.

Bowden's prediction of the Padres landing Robert is a great fit and a solid deal for both sides. The White Sox ship off a player they were likely not going to keep, while the Padres take a swing on his upside, something worth doing because of how talented Robert is.