There is a lot to be excited about at the moment if you are a fan of the San Diego Padres. At 21 wins and 15 losses, this has been the most competitive team the Padres have been able to put on the baseball field in years, and as they are in second place in the National League West, San Diego just might be playoff-bound for the first time since 2006.
Over the weekend, the Padres acquired relief pitcher Trevor Rosenthal from the Kansas City Royals and first baseman Mitch Moreland from the Boston Red Sox. Rosenthal came to San Diego for outfielder Edward Olivares and a player to be named later. Moreland was traded to the Padres for minor leaguers Hudson Potts and Jeisson Rosario.
The addition of Rosenthal is interesting. This probably suggests that closer Kirby Yates is done for the year with an elbow injury. In 14 games this season, Rosenthal has an earned run average of 3.29 and seven saves. In 13 2/3 innings, Rosenthal, a native of Lee’s Summit, Missouri, has not had a decision yet this year, and has given up nine hits and five earned runs, to go along with 21 strikeouts, seven walks, and a WHIP of 1.17. The Padres become Rosenthal’s fifth Major League Baseball team. He has previously played with the St. Louis Cardinals, Washington Nationals, and Detroit Tigers, in addition to the Royals.
Moreland, a native of Amory, Mississippi, batted .328 with eight home runs and 21 runs batted in during 2020 with the Red Sox. He also had 14 runs, 22 hits, four doubles, 11 walks, a .430 on base percentage, .746 slugging percentage, and 50 total bases. The 2018 all-star, is hitting for a great average for the first time in his career. Moreland’s career batting average is only .253. In San Diego, expect Moreland to be the everyday Padres designated hitter with Eric Hosmer at first base.
In addition to four years in Boston, Moreland played seven seasons with the Texas Rangers. In San Diego, he will be playing in the National League for the first time.
