The San Diego Padres made a lot of moves at the trade deadline, including a blockbuster for closer Mason Miller.
The Miller trade is controversial, considering the Padres dealt baseball’s No. 3 overall prospect, but that move will be crucial down the stretch.
San Diego shored up every roster hole they had: left field, catcher and pitching.
Pitching not so much, only because they could have gotten another starter but adding bullpen help to the best unit in the sport will help get the job done in October.
ESPN staff debated about what’s real and what’s not after a crazy trade deadline, including if the Padres are a legitimate threat to the Los Angeles Dodgers in the National League West.
“Real. Very much so,” wrote Alden Gonzalez. “The Padres sat just three games back heading into the deadline on the heels of a five-game winning streak. Then they lengthened a very top-heavy lineup, acquired a pretty decent upgrade at catcher and, most notably, gave themselves the deepest, fiercest bullpen in the sport.
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“The Dodgers are quite comfortable with who they are at the moment — in first place, with several key players coming back, while feeling pretty confident that their best baseball might still be in front of them. But there’s no denying that the Padres are a legitimate threat. Again.”
The Dodgers didn’t do much at the trade deadline, but the team was already built for the playoffs when fully healthy.
“Real. They got better where they needed to, especially at the catching position and at the bottom of their order,” wrote Jesse Rogers. “And their bullpen is clearly better than L.A.’s right now. The Padres have been hanging around near the top of the NL all season but have been viewed as only a good team, not a great one.
“They have a chance to be better now that they’ve eliminated the holes in their lineup. And whatever deficit they have in their rotation, that bullpen will make up for it.”
The Padres are loaded with talent and match up well with Los Angeles. The winner of the NL West will more than likely be the favorite for the pennant.
More MLB: Are the Cubs and Tigers still teams to fear in MLB after trade deadline?
