One of the most pressing needs for the San Diego Padres is adding another outfielder, specifically one who can play in left field. With a crowded buyers' market and limited supply, there is set to be tough competition for their top options.

But Nick Selbe and Will Laws of Sports Illustrated predicted that instead of landing one of the top options on the market, the Padres would instead acquire Baltimore Orioles outfielder Ramón Laureano. 

"The 30-year-old still boasts a cannon of an arm and can play either outfield corner," Selbe and Laws write. "With his reverse splits this season (.957 OPS vs. RHP, .578 OPS vs. LHP), indicating he can continue to start if needed."

While players like Luis Robert Jr. and Taylor Ward sit atop the best outfielders available at the deadline, Laureano isn't far off. His calling card is his incredible arm in the outfield, but he's still a solid hitter.

On the season, Laureano is hitting significantly better than Robert and some of the other corner outfield options. In just 158 at-bats this season, he's hitting .266 with 42 hits and nine home runs. He's also amassed 2.0 WAR in just 54 games and is on pace to surpass previous career highs in plenty of categories.

While Laureno has been traveling around the league, playing for the Athletics, Cleveland Guardians, Atlanta Braves, and now the Orioles, he's been a solid player at every stop. Now, with the Padres in dire need of outfield help, they could go after the Orioles outfielder and land a player who can slide into the everyday lineup for a reasonable price.

Due to Laureano not costing a lot, $5 million in 2025 with a $6.5 million option in 2026, the Padres would easily be able to afford him. His name isn't among baseball's elite, but he is a very solid outfielder, who the Padres would benefit immensely from adding.

With most fans looking to make the largest splash at the trade deadline, this move from the Padres would be overlooked if Selbe and Laws' prediction came true. But, this is a perfect move for the Padres, as it's a low-cost move that shores up a dire need as they look to fight for a Wild Card spot in a tightly contested NL Wild Card race.