Padres Trade Deadline Takes Wild Turn After Red Sox Jaren Durant Decision. As San Diego Considers ‘Big’ Move At Deadline, Eyes Replacement For Dylan Cease If Trade Gets Inevitable.

PADRES TRADE DEADLINE TAKES WILD TURN AFTER RED SOX’S JARREN DURAN DECISION; SAN DIEGO EYES SANDY ALCANTARA AS POTENTIAL DYLAN CEASE REPLACEMENT IF TRADE BECOMES INEVITABLE

The San Diego Padres’ 2025 MLB trade deadline plans have taken a dramatic and unexpected twist after the Boston Red Sox officially pulled Jarren Duran off the trade block, leaving a gap in San Diego’s outfield acquisition strategy. Duran, seen as a top priority to add speed and contact hitting to the Padres’ top of the lineup, had been in advanced trade conversations with San Diego before Boston made the surprise move to retain the breakout outfielder.

Now, with Duran unavailable, Padres GM A.J. Preller and the front office are scrambling to pivot — and possibly go even bigger. Sources close to the situation say San Diego is now weighing a massive trade scenario that could result in starter Dylan Cease being moved, a shift that would send shockwaves through the league. In return, the Padres are reportedly setting their sights on Marlins ace Sandy Alcantara as a potential replacement.

Alcantara, a former Cy Young Award winner, is currently rehabbing from injury but is expected to return to form in time for the postseason push. The Marlins, firmly in a rebuild, are said to be open to listening to offers — especially ones involving MLB-ready arms and top-tier prospects.

If the Padres were to part with Cease, who has been a steady contributor but hasn’t quite delivered on his full potential this season, they could reconfigure their rotation around Alcantara while stockpiling longer-term talent from the deal.

This potential shift marks a stunning change in approach for San Diego, who just weeks ago appeared committed to building around Cease as their staff ace. But with the outfield reinforcement plan derailed by Boston’s decision and growing internal urgency to make a playoff push, big decisions now loom large in the Padres’ war room.

Insiders believe if a Cease trade happens, it would likely include multiple teams and involve high-level negotiations — something Preller has become known for orchestrating. Whether the Padres pull the trigger or hold firm will likely be decided in the final hours before the deadline.

One thing is clear: San Diego isn’t standing still, and the MLB world is watching closely.