AJ Preller and Jerry Dipoto weren’t done swapping players
The San Diego Padres and the Seattle Mariners completed arguably the most complicated transaction at the MLB trade deadline, in which seven players were moved in one fell swoop. General managers AJ Preller and Jerry Dipoto, respectively, loved the move so much, that they decided to make another trade at the buzzer on Monday!
According to ESPN’s Jeff Passan, the Mariners are trading relief pitcher Taylor Williams to the Padres in exchange for a player to be named later.
Padres continue adding every available player on the trade market
Dipoto told the media that Williams was initially part of the trade conversations on Sunday evening, but he was pulled from the offer. However, Preller called back less than 24 hours later to bring in Williams.
In 15 games with the Mariners this season, Williams has struck out 19 batters in 13.1 innings pitched, while accumulating a 5.93 ERA and 1.390 WHIP. However, Williams has the unwanted distinction of leading the league in wild pitches with six.
Williams now joins fellow Seattle bullpen-mates Dan Altavilla and Austin Adams in San Diego, along with catcher Austin Nola. To make the move, the Padres sent the Mariners top outfield prospect Taylor Trammel, catcher Luis Torrens, infielder Ty France and relief pitcher Andres Munoz.
The Padres sat at the proverbial poker table days before the trade deadline, and pushed all their chips at the center of the table. Sitting in second place behind the Los Angeles Dodgers in the NL West, San Diego decided to use their rich prospect pipeline to bring in difference makers. The team started things off by acquiring top relief pitcher Trevor Rosenthal from the Kansas City Royals. Then, they received Boston Red Sox first baseman Mitch Moreland and Los Angeles Angels catcher Jason Castro in separate trades. But the biggest splash came on Monday morning, as the team acquired starting pitcher Mike Clevinger from the Cleveland Indians.
No team was more active at the deadline than the Padres, who have indicated to the world that they fully intend to represent the NL in the World Series. While Williams won’t be a difference maker, he is one of many pieces to a reloaded bullpen.