Two years after their payroll peaked, the San Diego Padres' financial outlook remains a source of fascination to people within Major League Baseball leading up to the July 31 trade deadline.

Cease’s name has come up in trade rumors, largely because he’s in his final year under contract and is making nearly $14 million. Theoretically, the Padres could trade Cease for controllable pieces, while freeing up money to spend elsewhere on the roster.

After simulating every MLB game 10,000 times, the SportsLine Projection Model has identified the three best pitcher strikeout props for Friday's 15-game schedule

PITCHING PROBABLES: Padres: Dylan Cease (3-9, 4.64 ERA, 1.30 WHIP, 139 strikeouts); Marlins: Sandy Alcantara (4-9, 7.14 ERA, 1.50 WHIP, 73 strikeouts)

MLB insider says the San Diego Padres are a 'long shot' to trade for Boston Red Sox star with 51 RBI despite strong interest ahead of the deadline.

The San Diego Padres have to do some payroll gymnastics to address their needs and not take themselves out of the playoff race at the trade deadline.

Jesús Sánchez hit a two-run homer and 2022 NL Cy Young winner Sandy Alcantara pitched seven innings with four strikeouts as the Marlins beat the Padres 3-2.