Padres urged to add 'lefty-masher' at MLB trade deadline

The San Diego Padres have a clear number one need in a left-fielder. But that isn't the only area of the roster that needs improvement. In an article for the East Village Times, Nick Lee identifies the Padres as a team that needs to add a "lefty-masher."

A "lefty-masher" is a batter who hits left-handed pitchers very well. Part of why the Padres need to find a player that fits this bill is that Gavin Sheets, while mashing against righties, hasn't been great against lefties.

"The Padres still need an upgrade against left-handed pitching." Lee wrote. "That is somewhere Sheets has not helped. (.213 average, .585 OPS). The Padres are 22nd in OPS against lefties."

With a clear lack of offensive firepower against left-handed pitching, another need for the Padres emerges as the MLB trade deadline approaches. While there is still over a month until the trade deadline, the Padres need to begin exploring some possible trade candidates who mash left-handed pitching.

Lee named Baltimore Orioles outfielder Cedric Mullins, Cincinnati Reds outfielder Austin Hays, Boston Red Sox outfielder Rob Refsnyder, and Los Angeles Angels outfielder Jo Adell as options for the Padres to target. All mash against left-handed pitching, and all could become available at the trade deadline.

If the Padres don't address this need, it could become a real issue in the postseason. With teams like the Philadelphia Phillies housing three lefty starters, the Padres might not have the right matchups against top left-handed pitchers in the postseason.

Adding batters who can hit left-handed pitching should be near the top, or the top priority for the Padres at the trade deadline. With Sheets improving in left field defensively and hitting righties, the lefty masher is the only area where the Padres have no immediate answer for.