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The San Diego Padres made a bold statement ahead of the trade deadline, acquiring two proven starting pitchers to bolster their rotation for a postseason push. General manager A.J. Preller finalized deals for left-hander Robbie Ray from the San Francisco Giants and right-hander Casey Mize from the Detroit Tigers on Monday, parting with several top prospects in the process.
Preller made no apologies for the aggressive approach, emphasizing the team's championship aspirations. "We're trying to win," he said. "We don't apologize for it. We're trying to win championships. We're trying to get to the postseason, and do it year after year."
The Padres sent left-handers Kash Mayfield and Jackson Wolf to Detroit in exchange for Mize and infielder Gage Workman. San Francisco received right-hander Miguel Mendez and 17-year-old shortstop Joniel Hernandez, with the Giants covering part of Ray's $25 million salary. Both the Padres and Tigers confirmed the trades on social media, with Detroit expressing gratitude to Mize for his contributions.
Ray and Mize are both eligible for free agency after this season, making them potential rentals, but the Padres are focused on the immediate impact. San Diego has won eight of their last nine games, improving to 58-54 and moving within one game of the final NL wild-card spot. This surge follows a rough stretch that saw them at .500 entering the All-Star break after a 15-28 slide, with a starting rotation posting a 4.66 ERA.
Key Analysis
The additions address a critical need for the Padres, who have relied on bullpen games due to injuries. Ray, 10-6 with a 3.08 ERA this season, has been dominant recently, posting a 1.65 ERA since May. Mize, the No. 1 overall pick in 2018, has a 2.70 ERA in 16 starts despite managing a groin injury. Both are expected to slot into the rotation immediately, with injured starters Nick Pivetta, Joe Musgrove, and Lucas Giolito potentially returning within the month.
Infielder Xander Bogaerts expressed excitement about the new additions, noting the boost they provide to the clubhouse. Preller indicated that while he listened to offers for star relievers like Mason Miller, the asking price was high, and he retained his bullpen anchors. The Padres' recent offensive resurgence has helped offset pitching struggles, and the new arms could solidify their playoff hopes.
Originally reported by newspub_live.