The San Diego Padres are no strangers to making headlines, and this year's trade deadline could bring another blockbuster that shakes up the National League. With a roster built for a World Series push, General Manager A.J. Preller is once again expected to be aggressive—and all eyes are on a young ace from the division-rival Los Angeles Angels.

According to Kerry Miller of Bleacher Report, the Padres are predicted to go "all-in" on Angels right-hander Jose Soriano. And it's easy to see why. Through nine starts this season, the 24-year-old has posted a jaw-dropping 1.66 ERA, along with an MLB-best 2.7 bWAR. In 54.1 innings, he's racked up 61 strikeouts with a 1.049 WHIP—numbers that scream frontline starter.

While Soriano's ERA might be slightly unsustainable, there's no denying his talent. He's the kind of arm that can anchor a rotation during a deep postseason run, which is exactly what the Padres are hoping to do. Adding him to a staff that already includes Nick Pivetta, Michael King, Randy Vasquez, and Lucas Giolito would give San Diego a formidable—and deep—pitching core.

But landing Soriano won't come cheap. He's under club control through the 2028 season, meaning any trade package would require a massive haul of prospects. It's a move that signals the Padres are going all-in for 2026, with an eye on catching the Los Angeles Dodgers in the NL West.

For a team that loves to swing big, this might just be the perfect fit. Whether Preller pulls the trigger remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: the Padres are never afraid to make a splash.