MLB Rumors: Braves reunion signing, Padres big mistake, Royals shock

PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - OCTOBER 21: Blake Snell #4 of the San Diego Padres walks on the field prior to game three of the National League Championship Series against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park on October 21, 2022 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images) /

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Jul 28, 2023; San Diego, California, USA; San Diego Padres starting pitcher Joe Musgrove (44) throws a pitch against the Texas Rangers during the first inning at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports /

MLB Rumors: Padres should have used the trade deadline to sell

When the trade deadline rolled around, the San Diego Padres were faced with a tough decision to make. They sat around .500 with a low chance to end up competing in the NL West. All signs were pointing to the Padres doing some selling, taking the 2023 season as a loss and looking forward to 2024 and beyond. Expiring contracts like Blake Snell and Josh Hader could be moved for some serious prospect capital, setting San Diego up well for 2024 and the years after.

Instead, San Diego opted to keep all their expiring contracts and even do a little buying on the market, ending up on the wrong side of a potential lopsided trade with the Pirates. This decision to buy now looks even worse with how the second half of the year has started for the Padres. Nothing seems to be going their way so far.

Starting pitcher Joe Musgrove was shut down for a minimum of three weeks with shoulder inflammation. Musgrove was having a really solid season with an ERA around 3 on the year. This creates another major hole on the roster, furthering the fact that San Diego would have been much better off selling at the deadline instead of acquiring aging talent.

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