Re-Examining the Padres Trade Deadline; Did it Work Friars?

Despite a losing record at the trade deadline, Padres GM A.J. Preller decided to buy more veterans for his roster in an effort to salvage a postseason return for his 2023 roster. 

Over a month after the flurry of moves made by the Friars front office, we can take a look at how each of the acquisitions is playing. 

Rich Hill and Ji-Man Choi came over in a deal from the Pirates to San Diego, but the deal has turned into a disaster for the returns that Petco Park got back. 

For the veteran southpaw on the mound, Hill brought an ERA near 5 with him back to Southern California, but in his number of starts, that figure has climbed to nearly 6. 

With just one quality start to his name in his appearances since the deadline, the oldest player in MLB might have to call it a career after 2023 and a dismal showing for the Friars in just a month of action. 

Choi hasn't had much of a chance to show his skills, as the other part of the Pirates deal unfortunately broke his ankle after going 0-11 for the team in those subsequent at-bats. 

Elsewhere in the pitching ranks, Scott Barlow's addition to the team was looking shaky after some poor relief outings to start his Padres. 

In the weeks since, the former Royal has cleaned up his act and been a solid reliever out of Bob Melvin's bullpen. 

One first baseman who has been able to show his stride with the team has been Garrett Cooper, despite an injury early into his Padres tenure. 

Since becoming healthy, Cooper's presence in the lineup has been a welcome sight despite not changing the standings all too much. 

Overall, we can safely say that trading the minimal prospect pool wasn't the right move this far into September, and such a deadline could hold the team back from bringing back some talent already on the roster.