San Diego Padres general manager A.J. Preller was surprisingly quiet at the MLB trade deadline Friday, after a week of speculation that up to five trades could be made.
He did make one move—the team acquired lefty reliever Marc Rzepczynski from the Cleveland Indians for outfielder Abraham Almonte, the teams confirmed.
However, players like Craig Kimbrel, Tyson Ross, Justin Upton, Andrew Cashner, Ian Kennedy, Joaquin Benoit and Will Venable were all rumored to be on the trading block, along with several others.
The decision not to make any trades came as big shock to national baseball writers who had been following the rumor leads all week.
Preller believes that the team can contend, with their next six series against teams under .500 and players recovering from injury.
However, they remain eight games behind first in the National League West and 7 1/2 games back of the wild card.
#Padres largely standing pat because GM A.J. Preller believes the team can reach the postseason, source says.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) July 31, 2015
After Y2K, #Padres trade deadline sell off is biggest non-event in our history — Joel Sherman (@Joelsherman1) July 31, 2015
padres do like their nucleus. they obviously think they can get back in it. hurt in 1st half by myers injury, kemp underperformance— Jon Heyman (@JonHeymanCBS) July 31, 2015
Ross and Kimbrel became the most rumored players to move before the deadline. The Padres were rumored to have a deal with the New York Yankees that would have included New York paying the contract of Jedd Gyorko along with trading a highly regarded shortstop prospect for Kimbrel
As for Friday, the team is on the road to play the Miami Marlins at 4:10 p.m. Ian Kennedy was initially scratched from the start due to the anticipated birth of his child, but will make his scheduled start because of inclement weather in Miami.