The San Diego Padres acquired All-Star closer Tanner Scott from the Miami Marlins in one of the greatest trade deadline transactions of the season. It appears like the Padres are prepared to go all in for one of the coveted National League Wild Card places and try to compete for the postseason after trade for Scott.
The Padres also acquired Bryan Hoeing, a pitcher, in addition to Scott. Starting pitcher Robby Snelling led the Padres’ prospect pile that the Marlins acquired. The Marlins also acquired Adam Mazur, a starter, and infielders Jay Beshears and Graham Pauley.
Can Scott lead the Padres to genuine World Series contention? Did the Marlins receive enough money from prospects in exchange?
This season, one of baseball’s biggest surprises has been the Padres. Many predicted that the Padres would regress after finishing last season below expectations, moving on from Juan Soto this past offseason, and the NL West growing even stronger with the Los Angeles Dodgers, Arizona Diamondbacks, and San Francisco Giants all signing significant free agents. The Padres are now in position to make the postseason as they hold the third NL Wild Card place. This hasn’t been the case.
They added Scott to their pitching staff during trade deadline, adding reliever Jason Adam from the Tampa Bay Rays and starting Marin Perez from the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Undoubtedly, Scott is the most valuable asset and was among the most coveted players before the deadline. With the Marlins this season, Scott has made 44 appearances and has a stellar 1.18 ERA, 18 saves, and 10.4 SO/9. Along with Jeremiah Estrada, Yuki Matsui, Robert Suarez (another All-Star closer), and recent addition Jason Adam, he will join a formidable bullpen. Bullpens are essential to their success in October if they can make it to the postseason. In baseball, the Padres’ bullpen is the finest.
