GOOD NEWS: San Diego Padres Acquired All-Star Left-Handed Reliever From……

The Los Angeles Dodgers missed out on acquiring top pitching target Tanner Scott after their division rivals, the San Diego Padres, secured a trade with the Miami Marlins on Tuesday.

In exchange for Scott and fellow pitcher Bryan Hoeing, the Padres traded away eight prospects: left-handed pitcher Robby Snelling, right-handed pitcher Dylan Lesko, right-handed pitcher Adam Mazur, infielder Graham Pauley, outfielder Homer Bush Jr., infielder Jay Beshears, and catcher J.D. Gonzalez. This move comes shortly after the Padres also added right-hander Jason Adam from the Tampa Bay Rays, significantly bolstering their pitching staff.

Scott, a 30-year-old left-hander, has been one of MLB’s standout closers this season, earning his first All-Star selection. He boasts a 6-5 record with a 1.18 ERA, 53 strikeouts, and 18 saves through 44 games in 2024. The addition of Scott gives the Padres two elite closers, with Scott joining incumbent closer Robert Suarez. This left-right combination allows San Diego to strategically select their closer based on the opposing team’s batting order.

The Dodgers were reportedly close to acquiring Scott, with other interested teams including the Baltimore Orioles, Kansas City Royals, New York Yankees, and Philadelphia Phillies. However, the Padres’ aggressive trade package secured the deal.

Despite missing out on Scott, the Dodgers were active ahead of the trade deadline. They acquired reliever Michael Kopech, center fielder Kevin Kiermaier, and starting pitcher Jack Flaherty. The acquisition of Flaherty, a former Detroit Tigers starter, was particularly crucial for the Dodgers, especially after Chicago White Sox pitcher Garrett Crochet was not traded. Flaherty, with a 7-5 record, a 2.95 ERA, and 133 strikeouts, will enhance the Dodgers’ starting rotation. He is expected to join Clayton Kershaw, Tyler Glasnow, Gavin Stone, and Yoshinobu Yamamoto by the season’s end.

The trade deadline has intensified the National League West race, with the Padres closing in within 5.5 games of the division lead after their Tuesday win. This sets the stage for an exciting race to the postseason between the two rivals.