#Mitch Moreland dealt to Padres amid flurry of MLB trade deadline moves

The Padres are making a push for their first-ever championship.

Coming up on 14 years since its most recent playoff appearance and 22 years since reaching the World Series, San Diego (20-15) — which currently holds the third-best record in the National League — has loaded up prior to Monday’s trade deadline with two separate deals for former All-Stars, acquiring first baseman Mitch Moreland from the Red Sox and closer Trevor Rosenthal from the Royals.

Moreland, who was sent to San Diego in exchange for a pair of minor leaguers (outfielder Jeisson Rosario and third baseman Hudson Potts), is batting .328 with eight home runs and 21 RBIs in 22 games this season. The 34-year-old lefty was named an All-Star in 2018, when he helped Boston win a World Series.

The Padres filled an even bigger need by adding Rosenthal — in exchange for minor league outfielder Edward Olivares and a player to be named later — to their bullpen. Rosenthal, who has a 0.69 ERA in 23 career playoff appearances, had struggled since undergoing Tommy John surgery in 2017, before pitching to a 3.29 ERA with seven saves with the Royals this season.

Rosenthal, 30, holds 128 career saves — helping the Cardinals reach the 2013 World Series — and will help fill the void created by closer Kirby Yates’ season-ending elbow injury.

“We’re excited to have him in,” Padres manager Jayce Tingler said of Rosenthal. “Lot of history, of experience at the back end of bullpens and closing games. He’s been having a great year in Kansas City. We’re excited to get his addition to our group.”

The Braves beefed up their rotation by acquiring lefty Tommy Milone from the Orioles for two players to be named later, and they wasted no time getting him on the field as he was set to start for Atlanta Sunday night against the Phillies. Milone entered the day with a 3.99 ERA in six starts. The Braves previously lost Mike Soroka to a season-ending Achilles injury.

The first-place Cubs also are attempting to solidify their pennant hopes, acquiring designated hitter Jose Martinez from the Rays in exchange for either a pair of players to be named later or cash considerations. Martinez, 32, is hitting just .239 with two home runs in 24 games this season, but holds a career .294 batting average and .815 OPS.

The Rockies also bolstered their bullpen by acquiring reliever Mychal Givens from the Orioles on Sunday. With two of its best relievers on the injured list (Wade Davis, Scott Oberg), Colorado brings in a right-hander with a 3.32 career ERA in six seasons in Baltimore. This season, Givens, 30, has posted a 1.38 ERA in 13 innings, and could compete for the closer’s role, having recorded 20 saves the previous two years.