Padres had 'potentially devastating' trade deadline, rival exec says

Padres had 'potentially devastating' trade deadline, rival exec says originally appeared on The Sporting News

The MLB trade deadline featured the San Diego Padres' general manager, A.J. Preller, swinging massive deals from start to finish. The Padres landed Mason Miller and J.P. Sears from the Athletics for top prospect Leo De Vries in the headliner.

In a piece from ESPN's Alden Gonzalez, a rival front office personnel member had a bold take on the Padres' trade deadline shopping spree. They described the deals as a "massive gamble," but also one which could have "potentially devastating" consequences.

The Padres' moves were huge and costly. Rarely does the prospect of De Vries' status get moved in a deal, but the players they landed were not going to come cheap.

Miller is one of the top relievers in baseball, while Sears is a solid pitcher. Both are under control through the 2029 season, along with Freddy Fermin, the new starting catcher in San Diego.

Combined with the additions of Nestor Cortes, Ramon Laureano, and Ryan O'Hearn, the Padres didn't skimp on adding to the roster at the deadline.

But, they paid the price. Not only did they move De Vries, their top prospect and ranked 3rd overall, but they also moved a ton of other highly-rated prospects as well. Preller dealt the team's 3rd, 6th, 8th, 9th, 13th, 16th, and 17th-ranked prospects.

MORE: Padres pull off blockbuster trade for Athletics' Mason Miller

Those moves helped drastically improve the roster, but the Padres lost a lot of talent in the future with these deals. This rival front office member is concerned that if things don't work out well, the Padres could be in dire straits in the future.

If Miller doesn't pan out as an elite closer or if he fails in his transition to a starter, with the huge haul of prospects given up, the Padres could have a bleak future.

But, on the other hand, with all but O'Hearn under control beyond 2025, these moves aren't just for this season. Preller has the Padres prepared to contend beyond 2025, and these deals helped such a cause.

With Dylan Cease and Robert Suarez potentially leaving in free agency, Miller and Sears can take their roles on the roster. These deals from Preller were aggressive, but barring disaster, the rival front office member's concern of a "potentially devastating" future doesn't seem likely.

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