Padres News: Friars Bolster Bullpen, Acquire Scott Barlow From Royals

They're all-in!

The San Diego Padres are going all in at the trade deadline. Despite being five games back of the final National League Wild Card spot, the team is buying this deadline. After adding LHP Rich Hill and 1B Ji-Man Choi in the morning, they added Garrett Cooper and Sean Reynolds from the Marlins and then made a huge splash, adding RHP Scott Barlow from the Kansas City Royals.

The San Diego Padres are acquiring right-handed reliever Scott Barlow from the Kansas City Royals, sources tell ESPN.

— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) August 1, 2023

This is a huge splash for the Padres, a team that was in limbo heading into the deadline about whether they would buy or sell.

But clearly, they decided to buy, and they did so by adding one of the best relievers on the market in Barlow.

Barlow was one of the most coveted players on the market, and he'll add a ton to the Padres bullpen. On the year, Barlow has a rough 5.35 ERA, however, he was playing for a lowly Royals team, and will definitely be revitalized playing for a surging Padres squad. 

Barlow will slide in as the setup man alongside closer Josh Hader, forming one of the best one-two punches in the MLB.

The Padres remain five games out of contention as of Tuesday, but they made multiple moves that should jolt their team for the stretch run of the season.