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The San Diego Padres and A.J. Preller had a very busy trade deadline in 2025. Sitting three games behind the Los Angeles Dodgers, the Padres made multiple deals to vastly improve the roster, including the top blockbuster at the deadline.
After the dust settled, Bob Nightengale of USA Today shared that Padres' third baseman Manny Machado cracked a joke with reporters about the Padres' aggressive trade deadline shopping spree.
"Welcome to the San Diego Padres deadline," Machado said. "I'm never shocked about anything we do at the deadline, let's be honest."
A.J. Preller at the 2025 deadline pulled off five trades. His first was the largest one, as he sent four prospects, including Leo De Vries (the 3rd-ranked prospect in baseball), to the Athletics for Mason Miller and J.P. Sears. It was a huge deal, but only the beginning.
Next, Preller dealt a few pitchers to the Kansas City Royals for catcher Freddy Fermin, who took over for Martin Maldonado on the roster and became the new starting catcher.
The Padres then added both Ryan O'Hearn and Ramon Laureano for a six-prospect package with the Baltimore Orioles. Both O'Hearn and Laureano will lengthen the lineup and bolster their left field and infield spots.
MORE: Padres pull off blockbuster trade for Athletics' Mason Miller
Lastly, they added Will Wanger, a versatile infielder, and Nestor Cortes, a veteran starting pitcher, to round out a very busy trade deadline. But, while a wild and aggressive deadline for Machado, it wasn't a surprise.
He's seen Preller ship out a stunning package for Juan Soto, and also attack various needs over the years at the deadline. Preller is one of the most aggressive general managers, and his efforts in 2025 were another shopping spree he's conducted as general manager of the Padres.
He shipped off 22 players, including seven top 16 prospects, which featured De Vries, the team's top prospect. Across five deals, Preller addressed every need and rounded out another classic San Diego Padres trade deadline.
Machado wasn't surprised at Preller's wheeling and dealing, and his comments to reporters emphasized his familiarity with Preller's deadline strategy.
Even though the baseball world was stunned, it was just another deadline for the Padres in Machado's eyes, as whatever the Padres do at the deadline no longer surprises the veteran infielder.
MORE MLB NEWS:
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- Astros agree to blockbuster trade with Twins for Carlos Correa
- Padres trade Ryan Bergert, Stephen Kolek to Royals for a new catcher
- Tigers lost out to Mets on trade for Cardinals' Ryan Helsley
- Cardinals' trade acquisition shares five-word message with fans
- Guardians to trade Cy Young starter Shane Bieber to Blue Jays
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