NEW YORK -- Two weeks ago, the Padres made plans to let their post-All-Star break performance dictate their Trade Deadline strategy. For the first time in nearly a decade, San Diego was flirting with postseason contention in July. The front office had options to maneuver in whatever direction it wanted.

Fourteen days later, that Deadline direction seems awfully clear.

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With Thursday’s 4-0 loss to the Mets, the Padres dropped their fourth straight series, falling to 3-9 in that stretch. In the meantime, they’ve slid seven games back of the second National League Wild Card spot -- with five teams to jump.

“If we're not in first place, there's urgency,” said left fielder Hunter Renfroe. “... I don't think there's really too much [more] urgency. I just think we've got to be better.”

To say the least, the standings aren't conducive to a playoff push. According to people familiar with the team’s thinking, the Padres still don’t consider themselves sellers (at least not in a traditional sense), and they aren’t throwing in the towel on the 2019 campaign.

But the recent skid has shifted the Deadline focus almost exclusively to the bigger picture, sources say. The Padres could still buy Major League pieces. Yet any moves they make before 1 p.m. PT next Wednesday will be made with all eyes on the future.

Sure, the Padres are still searching for a frontline starting pitcher. Eric Lauer allowed four runs in 2 1/3 innings on Thursday, and his struggles only reinforced that notion. But the front office will likely set its own price tags based on control in 2020 and beyond. Anything San Diego gets for this season is considered a bonus.

That probably makes it less likely that the Padres trade for a starter. Rival general managers aren’t going to lower their price to ignore a pitcher’s 2019 value. Right now, an offseason acquisition seems likelier, even if general manager A.J. Preller will keep a sharp eye on the starting pitching market next week.

On the flip side, it’s fair to wonder how the past couple weeks might have affected the team’s status as a seller. Kirby Yates is arguably the most valuable relief chip available. If 2019 isn’t a priority -- at least in terms of roster composition -- his value to the Padres might be lower than it could be elsewhere.

Yates is 32, and he’s slated to be a free agent after the 2020 season. His value will never be higher than it is right now. Then again, he’s still San Diego’s best option at closer in ‘20, and he’s said he’d be open to an extension.

Then, there’s the outfield -- which isn’t anywhere near as easy to analyze as the rotation and Yates situations.

The Padres are currently facing a serious logjam there. Renfroe, Franmil Reyes, Manuel Margot, Wil Myers, Josh Naylor and Travis Jankowski might all factor into the long-term picture. So how does the recent performance affect the team’s thinking?

That’s anyone’s guess. Yes, Reyes and Renfroe have immense value elsewhere. But they have immense value in San Diego, too. Both are under team control through at least 2023.

On Friday night, the Padres will return to Petco Park for a five-game homestand beginning with three against the Giants. San Diego has dropped five straight against its in-state rival.

“It's time to change that, just for the sake of changing that -- regardless of where the Trade Deadline is or what [losing streak] we're coming off of,” said manager Andy Green.

Barring something drastic, however, it seems unlikely the Padres change course ahead of Wednesday’s Deadline. In the clubhouse, the focus is on the present. In the front office, the focus is on the future.

Preller and his staff have some potentially franchise-altering decisions to make over the next six days.

The past two weeks have offered clarity as to what track they might take.