Struggling Padres Look to Next Year, Deal Wood
Seattle shored up its struggling bullpen with the acquisition of closer Kerry Wood moments before the trading deadline. In the deal they also received starter Jared Weaver from the Padres. In return the Padres get second baseman Howie Kendrick and reliever Bob Howry. While the loss of Wood, who leads the league in K/9, hurts the Padres, management felt that being 8 games out of the last playoff spot and 13 games under .500 was necessary to acquire talent for the future in Howry and Kendrick. Seattle, while giving up a good young second baseman fills a vital need in their bullpen.