Dodgers feeling the heat after Padres' blockbuster trade swipes coveted LA target

The Los Angeles Dodgers' chief rival in the National League West race just made one of the biggest moves of the trade deadline so far, putting the entire baseball world – but especially L.A. – on notice.

The San Diego Padres, who currently sit just three games back of the Dodgers in the division, acquired closer Mason Miller and starting pitcher J.P. Sears from the Athletics in exchange for top prospect Leodalis De Vries and a trio of arms in a major deadline day blockbuster.

The Padres already boasted one of the most deadly bullpens in the league, sending three relievers to the All-Star Game this year, and now they have added one of the best closers in baseball. The Dodgers' bullpen, on the other hand, has been a source of many of their problems this season, and Thursday's trade deadline marks a final opportunity to add at least one more piece to their bullpen to help alleviate some issues.

Now, one of those pieces is off the market and suiting up for the Dodgers' chief division rivals.

Dodgers feeling the heat after Padres' blockbuster trade swipes coveted LA target

Miller has been a coveted asset for years – including by the Dodgers – and the Athletics had placed an extremely high asking price on him. Nobody had come close to landing him – until now.

Miller has posted an ERA of 3.76 while also recording 20 saves this season for the Athletics. He is also under contract for four more seasons beyond this one, which has helped drive the price up for the Athletics. but the Dodgers love these types of pitchers.

Another painful wrinkle in the situation is that the Dodgers have the farm system to make a deal possible with the Athletics. Adding Miller to their pitching staff could have been a game changer for them, but they lost out on an All-Star with team control on what was already a thin relief market at the deadline.

With many relievers already off the market, options were already dwindling for the Dodgers even before the Padres swiped Miller. The Dodgers will need to act fast if they are serious about defending their World Series title this year.

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