Former Dodger Rich Hill Heading to Padres in Deadline Deal
A familiar face heads down the freeway to San Diego. The San Diego Padres dealt for a pair of veterans to aid their playoff push in what’s been an ultimately disappointing year to this point for the Dodgers’ rival to the south.
Despite a sub .500 record, Padres GM AJ Preller made a move to acquire both first-baseman Ji-Man Choi and former Dodger pitcher Rich Hill to bolster the roster.
Jeff Passan was the first to report the deal on Tuesday morning to indicate that the Padres are buying at the deadline this season.
The move is an interesting one as the Padres’ payroll is among the highest in the league, but the results haven’t been there this season. Despite a Cy-Young caliber season for hurler Blake Snell, San Diego was thought to be sellers on the market for players such as Snell and closer Josh Hader given the club’s record this year.
San Diego instead adds to their already talented roster as they are now the third NL West team this week to rival the Dodgers moves to add at the deadline.
Arizona traded for Mariners closer Paul Sewald and San Francisco similarly traded with the franchise from the Emerald City for another former Dodger in outfielder AJ Pollock.
While the Padres are further below both the Diamondbacks and Giants in the standings for the division, the Dodgers’ recent skid on their homestand must have San Diego thinking that LA is vulnerable enough to pull the trigger on this deal.
In 119 innings of work, Hill has pitched to a 7-10 record and a 4.76 ERA for the Pirates this year. Choi has similarly struggled for Pittsburgh with a .205 average and an OPS+ of 91.
If for nothing else, the Dodgers’ moves to acquire more pitching and infield versatility have only been matched by their closest rival. After losing to San Diego in the postseason last year, the Dodgers have more than a few teams to watch behind their back as the regular season gets to the home stretch.
Photo Credit: Ray Acevedo-USA TODAY Sports
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