Padres Rumors: Trade Deadline Acquisition Not Expected Back in 2024

A move that didn't pan out.

Padres GM AJ Preller controversially bought at the deadline and prolonged the inevitable rather than punt on a disappointing 2023 season.

San Diego missed the postseason but it wasn't for lack of trying after Preller hoped to build off of an inspired 2022 NLCS run. 

Part of that process came at this year's trade deadline after a series of moves simply didn't work out for the team. 

The Friars now face several decisions for their 2024 offseason but one player from this summer likely won't be back at Petco Park thanks to an awful tenure with the team. 

Acquired at the Deadline as a needed lefty bat, Choi's Padres tenure was a bust. He spent much of the final two months on the IL and batted .065 in 16 games.

via AJ Cassavell, MLB.com

Choi was part of the Rays' 2020 World Series as their starting first baseman during their championship run. 

The veteran bounced around in the past couple of seasons and found himself on the Pittsburgh Pirates to start in 2023. 

A trade deadline deal sent both the infielder and starter Rich Hill to San Diego as Preller pushed for a postseason spot. 

Both the former Pirates flamed out spectacularly to end the year in the NL West after Hill looked every bit of the oldest player in MLB. 

The pitcher wound up on waivers by September but the Korean infielder also didn't perform up to par. 

It was quite the shame after career seasons from Juan Soto and Blake Snell went up in smoke thanks to their teammates failing to execute when the time came. 

San Diego may not be the final stop of Choi's long career in MLB but it certainly won't be a long one after a disappointing showing leaves the Padres no options but to cut their losses on the veteran this offseason.