“토스카지노This could be a trade the Padres regret for years to come.”
Shocker. The trade between the San Diego Padres and Pittsburgh Pirates at the trade deadline for the 2023 season was ranked the fifth-worst trade of the past three days by Bleacher Report.
San Diego and Pittsburgh announced their trades with just four to five hours left before the trade deadline on Nov. 2. Pittsburgh sent Choi Ji-Man and Rich Hill to San Diego, and San Diego sent left-hander Jackson Wolf, outfielder Eduardo Suero, and first baseman Alfonso Rivas to Pittsburgh.
For Korean fans, the trade was almost as big as the return of Ryu Hyun-jin (Toronto Blue Jays). Choi Ji-Man was traded to join Kim Ha-Sung in the lineup. San Diego made it clear that they weren’t giving up on their postseason hopes.
Choi will serve as a platoon first baseman or designated hitter when left-handed pitching is needed, while the experienced Hill is an all-around left-hander. Choi was scratched against the Colorado Rockies on April 3 and could start against the Los Angeles Dodgers on April 5. The Dodgers are starting right-hander Bobby Miller. He also expressed his love for Pittsburgh and his appreciation for the fans on his social media accounts on Thursday.
But Bleacher Report was blunt. “First baseman Choi Ji-Man missed much of the season with an injury, but quietly posted a .930 OPS with three doubles and four home runs in 44 at-bats in July. Both players have the potential to provide useful value to the team, but are they really what San Diego needs to part with a legitimate prospect.”
Blitcherport was particularly impressed with the talents of Wolf, the left-hander San Diego gave up to Pittsburgh. In 88 1/3 innings at Double-A this season, he posted a 4.08 ERA and 1.09 WHIP with 105 strikeouts, and was recently called up to the majors, where he pitched five innings of three-run ball against the Detroit Tigers. He doesn’t have a very fastball, but his strength is in his off-speed pitches.
He even said that San Diego might regret the trade. If the Padres don’t want to regret it, they need to make the postseason this year. Choi and Hill could play a month or two with the team and then sign free agent contracts elsewhere.