If you have tickets to San Diego Padres games in August and September, be ready for a slew of new faces.
In the team’s latest trade, announced Thursday hours before the Major League Baseball trading deadline, the Padres gave up outfielder Chris Denorfia to the Seattle Mariners in exchange for two minor leaguers, pitcher Stephen Kohlscheen and outfielder Abraham Almonte.
Kohlscreen has divided his time this year between the Mariners Triple-A and Double-A teams, posting a 3-1 record with a 2.70 ERA and 55 strikeouts in 38 relief appearances. He also earned Southern League All-star honors in 2014.
Almonte, of the Dominican Republic, hit .267 with 10 doubles, three triples and six home runs while at Triple-A Tacoma this season. The switch-hitter made his Major League debut with the the Mariners in 2013, hitting .264 over 25 games. He’s also played in 27 games in the big leagues this season.
Denorfia, 34, has been with the Padres since 2010. His best season was two years ago, when he batted .293. He has a career batting average of .275 and also played for the Oakland A’s and the Cincinnati Reds.
The Padres, far behind in the National League West leading Los Angeles Dodgers with a 48-59 record, have made two other trades in the days leading up to the deadline. Baseball reports suggested another trade may be forthcoming, with teams showing interest in pitcher Joaquin Benoit.
Last week, they sent Chase Headley to the Yankees, for an infielder and a pitching prospect. Two weeks ago, the team sent closer Huston Street to the Los Angeles Angels for four players.