Former Major League Baseball executive Jim Bowden has voiced strong criticism of the San Diego Padres' handling of their farm system, particularly in light of the blockbuster trade for Juan Soto four years ago. Bowden argued that the team has paid a steep price for mortgaging its future and suggested a strategic shift towards selling assets at the upcoming trade deadline.
Appearing on Foul Territory, Bowden pointed to the current success of players like James Wood and CJ Abrams, who were part of the Padres' once-vaunted farm system before being traded. "It's too painful watching James Wood and CJ Abrams rake every single night, to sit there and trade your next guy," Bowden stated.
Prior to the 2022 season, the Padres possessed one of baseball's top farm systems. The trade for Soto, acquired alongside Trent Grisham from the Washington Nationals in December 2023, was seen as an aggressive move to contend for a World Series title, pairing Soto with Manny Machado and Fernando Tatis Jr. At the time of the trade deadline in 2022, the Padres held a 58-46 record.
The team's championship aspirations fell short that season, as they were eliminated in the National League Championship Series by the Philadelphia Phillies. The following year, San Diego missed the playoffs entirely. The subsequent trade of Soto to the New York Yankees allowed the Padres to partially replenish their farm system, acquiring pitcher Michael King and four other players.
Bowden also noted a similar pattern with the recent trade of prospect Leo De Vries for pitcher Mason Miller at the deadline last year. According to Bowden, the Padres' farm system is now considered the worst in baseball. Meanwhile, Abrams and Wood have emerged as All-Stars in 2026.
"I can't trade anymore of these top prospects here," Bowden said. "The farm system is so much different than it was, and you’ve got a problem."
With the team currently third in the National League West with a 50-51 record, Bowden urged the Padres to pivot from a win-now approach. "The right play here isn’t for them to go for it this year; the right play is to do the exact opposite," he advised. "Listen in on Mason Miller, listen on Michael King, and be very open to trying to see if you can get six or seven players back and quickly try to reboot this thing." The MLB trade deadline is set for August 3.