Padres dubbed as a legitimate threat to dethrone Dodgers atop NL West

After a wild trade deadline, the San Diego Padres' outlook on the season is a lot different from what it was a week ago. As the catcher and left field spots were major talking points, both were addressed at the trade deadline, as A.J. Preller was active all day.

Following their wild moves, the ESPN writers Alden Gonzalez and Jesse Rogers were asked whether it's real or not that the  Padres' spending spree at the trade deadline makes them a legitimate threat to dethrone the Los Angeles Dodgers in the NL West.

They both said yes.

"Real. Very much so." Gonzalez writes. "... Then they lengthened a very top-heavy lineup, acquired a pretty decent upgrade at catcher, and most notably, gave themselves the deepest, fiercest bullpen in the sport."

"Real. They got better where they needed to, especially at the catching position and at the bottom of their order." Rogers writes. "And their bullpen is clearly better than L.A.'s right now."

San Diego brought in a massive haul of players to help the MLB club this season. Mason Miller is the blockbuster pickup, but catcher Freddy Fermin, starter J.P. Sears, outfielder Ramon Laurenao, and first baseman Ryan O'Hearn are all major pickups.

MORE: Padres pull off blockbuster trade for Athletics' Mason Miller

They drastically improved their offense, retained Dylan Cease, and added another starter, while improving their league-best bullpen with the addition of Miller, one of the most electric closers in the sport.

All of these moves give the Padres a real chance to contend with the Dodgers this season, and sitting just three games back with two months to go, the Padres are well within reach of the NL West.

Preller gave up a lot at the deadline, but the team is now situated as one of the top contenders in the National League. Both Rogers and Gonzalez acknowledge the Padres as a real threat to the Dodgers, the team nearly everyone wrote off as the division winners before the season began.

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