Grading every team’s World Series chances after the trade deadline
By Brad Weiss
![PHILADELPHIA, PA - JULY 24: Manny Machado #8 of the Los Angeles Dodgers looks on before the game against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park on Tuesday July 24, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Rob Tringali/SportsChrome/Getty Images) PHILADELPHIA, PA - JULY 24: Manny Machado #8 of the Los Angeles Dodgers looks on before the game against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park on Tuesday July 24, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Rob Tringali/SportsChrome/Getty Images)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/645c111b08835d0bfabdd0d2c36ce0782f52fd3c6c1c6b6b4f65d4ae02b2bb35.jpg)
San Diego Padres
The San Diego Padres have had one of the worst seasons in Major League Baseball in 2018, and entering the trade deadline, sat 25 games under .500. That is pretty horrible mark for any team, but not only have they been losing all season long, they are currently playing their worst baseball of the year.
Entering the trade deadline, the Padres had lost 13 of their last 15 games, and rightfully so, decided to part ways with one of their few bargaining chips. The Padres sent reliever Brad Hand, along with right-handed pitcher Adam Cimber to the Cleveland Indians for catcher Francisco Mejia, who could end up being a very good Major Leaguer one day.
This offseason, the Padres had some hope for the season, as they went out and spent big money on Kansas City Royals first baseman Eric Hosmer. While Hosmer has played decently at times, he has not been that leader in this lineup that the team was hoping he would be this season.
One big issue for this team this season has been injuries, but you could say that about any team. In particular, the Padres starting pitching has not been able to get healthy at the same time, and that has led to them falling way behind in the NL West entering August baseball.
The NL West is pretty loaded, as the division sent three teams to the playoffs last season. They have the talent in the division to do the same thing again in 2018, and for the Padres, they will once again be on the outside looking in when it comes to Fall baseball.