Padres News: Bob Melvin Felt That Front Office Would Reward Improved Play with Additions

The Padres made some big moves at the deadline.

The Padres, who were considered to be on the bubble between being buyers or sellers at the trade deadline, added some key figures to their roster as their push for a postseason berth continues.

San Diego dealt for LHP Rich Hill and first baseman Ji-Man Choi in a trade with the Pirates and also added reliever Scott Barlow from Kansas City and first basemen Garrett Cooper and a prospect from Miami.

With the Padres needing bats for the bottom of their front-heavy lineup, the addition of Choi and Cooper will likely boost their performance at the plate. Hill has had a decent season with a 4.76 ERA and Barlow is a solid option considering the Padres' need for more middle relievers.

Padres manager Bob Melvin credited San Diego's recent hot streak as a reason behind their decision to buy at the deadline. The Padres won six of their last 10 games leading up to Aug. 1.

"The way we had played here recently, I think everybody had the inclination that we were going to keep this group together and try to add," Melvin said. "And that was the case today."

(Via

MLB.com

)

The Padres have some ground to cover if they are to achieve their postseason goals.

Their shot at winning the NL West is likely out of the question as the Padres are 9 games behind LA for the top spot. Where the Padres would have a chance is in the NL Wild Card race, in which the Friars sit four spots out of contention behind the Brewers, Marlins, Diamondbacks and Cubs. With 4 games to gain and remaining series against three of the four aforementioned teams, San Diego has the potential to climb the standings.

Now, they might have the roster to do it.