Despite financial issues and a rapidly depleting farm system, it was no surprise that the San Diego Padres were aggressive at the MLB trade deadline. This is an organization that is determined to win NOW and due to injuries in it’s starting rotation, a bullpen with tired arms was beginning to leak oil. The fans demanded action, and GM AJ Preller responded.
When spring camp broke, starters Yu Darvish, Joe Musgrove, Dylan Cease, Michael King and knuckle ball specialist Matt Waldron looked great on paper. But Musgrove barely got out of the gate before right elbow inflammation has sidelined him to this date. Darvish was placed on the IL May 29th with neck tightness and a groin strain, but shortly afterwards asked the Padres for a leave of absence due to a “family emergency,”
“He’s dealing with a personal matter and we need to respect his privacy,” said San Diego skipper Mike Shildt, tight lipped about the situation. “We’re going to love and support him because he’s part of the Padre family.”
Darvish was placed on the Restricted List without pay, and the circumstances surrounding his absence has become somewhat of a mystery. But Yu is a private person and insiders close to the matter have indicated the veteran probably won’t return this season. On top of that, the late bloomer King is nursing a sore calf, and the Friars are concerned that he has already logged 124 innings, more than any other season in his career. Newcomer Cease has more than picked up the slack, recently tossing a no-hit gem in Cincinnati. However, former Yankee prospect Randy Vasquez has been hot and cold, and youngsters like Adam Mazur have been less than impressive.
The lack of rotation starters going deep into games has been problematic, wearing down a pen that was projected to be a strength. So Preller went to work obtaining Miami Marlins closer Tanner Scott and Bryan Hoeing in a package that sent pitchers Robby Snelling, Mazur and infielder Graham Pauley, the Padres #2, 4 and 5 prospects to the Fish. A throw in was another infielder, #24 prospect Jay Beshears. Then Preller turned to the Tampa Bay Rays to pick up late game specialist Jason Adam in a three way deal that wasn’t quite as painful. Then in the finale of sorts, the Friars acquired 33 year old lefty Martin Perez from the Pittsburgh Pirates. One day after joining the Padres, Perez pitched six productive innings to win the rubber game against the lowly Colorado Rockies, an historical juggernaut for the Padres that nobody understands.
Dealing for Scott has been a source of controversy, simply because the Padres swapped three top 10 prospects for a guy who could walk away after the 2024 season. But Preller dreams of a championship run, both for the Padres late owner Peter Seidler and for the San Diego fans. As of this post, the Padres have sold out Petco Park 37 times this season. In 55 years, this former expansion franchise has dealt with many owners, both good and bad. During that span, the team has made it to the Fall Classic only twice, losing both times. Has Preller surpassed former GM Jack “Trader Jack” McKeon with that distinction? Maybe. But McKeon, now 93, teamed up with Ray Kroc to first take the Friars to the “Promised Land.”
The Padres have sputtered at times at the plate, but this club led by Manny Machado, and reinforced by Luis Arraez, Xander Bogaerts, Jurickson Profar, Jake Cronenworth and rookie Jackson Merrill are going to pressure opposing pitchers and score runs in bunches. The bench is solid and Fernando Tatis Jr. is set to return from a nagging injury later this month. There’s really nothing left to contemplate except for one area that remains an enigma.
There’s really no question about this club’s potential. Are they a playoff team? Yes. But a lot depends on Musgrove. Darvish, who knows? Bottom line. The Padres will go as far as the team’s pitching will carry them.
