Everyone knew A.J. Preller would be going absolutely wild at the trade deadline. Because, well, that’s what Preller does. If you’re a Padres fan, the trade deadline for Major League Baseball may as well be a holiday. And so it goes today. After acquiring stud closer Mason Miller from the A’s, the Padres have completed a trade with the Baltimore Orioles that sends 1B/DH Ryan O’Hearn and OF Ramon Laureano.
At 31, O’Hearn is enjoying a breakout season that has him in genuine All-Star conversation after years of being optioned or designated for assignment. He was legitimately, before this move, one of the deadline’s most anticipated moving pieces. Let’s break down both O’Hearn and Laureano to the Padres.
Trade Impact
In 2024, he slashed .255/.325/.510 with 20 homers and 62 RBIs, earning the nickname do-it-all slugger. In 2025, that production hasn’t slowed: he’s batting .283 with 13 home runs, 43 RBIs, and a .837 OPS across 311 at-bats. His three stolen bases add a surprising wrinkle to his all-around profile, and he’s maintained a knack for barreled balls and hard contact that fuels Baltimore’s lineup.
O’Hearn credits the Orioles for revitalizing his career, rewarding his perseverance with consistent playing time and a welcoming clubhouse.
As for Laureano—in his eighth major‐league season, Laureano, too, is enjoying a peak offensive campaign. He’s cut his strikeout rate to a career‐low 25.1%, lifted his isolated power to .247 and posted career highs in OPS (.866), wRC+ (139) and xwOBA (.369). Defensively, his cannon of an arm compensates for limited range, making him a reliable corner outfielder. Though he’s no longer a true center fielder, he can slot in there in a pinch—an adaptability that has caught the Padres’ eye. Especially once the prices for Guardians OF Steven Kwan and Red Sox OF Jarren Duran became either off the table or too rich.
As for what the Padres gave to the Orioles in return—
Trade return
Update: Full return details for the trade can be found below, per Jon Morosi:
Update: Also among the reported prospects headed back to Baltimore is Brandon Butterworth. Heck of a lot of alliteration happening, here, between Boston Bateman and Brandon Butterworth both bouncing to Baltimore.
There are no full details yet available for the trade, but what we have heard reported: six prospects are en route from San Diego to Baltimore.
According to Brandon Glick of Padres Mission, Padres LHP prospect Boston Bateman was included in the deal. This is, as of yet, unconfirmed by any San Diego beat writer. Bateman, San Diego’s second-round draft pick in 2024, was 5-5 with a 4.08 ERA in 15 games for Single-A Elsinore before today’s deal.
More soon.
