Time was ticking on July 30, 2021. A.J. Preller and the San Diego Padres hadn’t acquired any starting pitching but there was still some hope that they’d make some sort of move with about ten minutes to go before the deadline arrived. They’d make a move, but it was trading for outfielder Jake Marisnick—not a starting pitcher.
The move surprised many because outfield bench depth wasn’t considered an area that needed improvement, especially when the outfielder they acquired wasn’t known for having any power. The Marisnick trade may end up hurting the Padres more than it will help them because they gave up Anderson Espinoza to the Chicago Cubs.