Just over a year ago, the San Diego Padres and Pittsburgh Pirates made a minor trade. In a one-for-one swap, the Padres sent catcher Brett Sullivan to the Pirates in exchange for outfielder Bryce Johnson. The Padres also received cash in the deal. A year later and a couple weeks later, the Padres appear to have come out as big winners in the deal. Bryce Johnson Thriving for Padres Johnson was actually in the Padres organization for the 2024 season, appearing in 47 games and hitting .206 with an OPS of .524. He was non-tendered after the season, and ended up joining the Pirates on a minor league deal. On April 16, 2025, when the Padres were dealing with injuries to outfielders Jackson Merrill and Brandon Lockridge, the team decided to bring Johnson back. He's been a completely different player in his second stint with the team. In 2025, Johnson appeared in 55 games with the Padres, slashing .342/.383/.434 with eight runs batted in, four stolen bases and an OPS of .817.…