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The Padres were the whale at the poker table. They kept pushing chips into the middle. Blowing through the luxury tax for a second straight year. Trading their best young players for Juan Soto and Josh Bell. Trading for Josh Hader with about $15 million due next year for the one-inning closer. Trading eight of the 10 first-round picks under A.J. Preller. Pushing the payroll to a franchise record $230 million, more than double what it was five years ago.
The Padres saw a window opening right now to win the franchise’s first world championship. That vision was heavily based on Fernando Tatis Jr. coming back to the lineup this season for the stretch run and postseason. The Padres had every star lined up—until a little Clostebol blew up their plans.