MLB Standings 2022: Padres Could Miss Playoffs After Blockbuster Trades

The San Diego Padres acquired multiple All-Stars at the 2022 MLB trade deadline, hoping it would solidify their spot in the playoffs. The team has instead moved in the wrong direction in standings, putting them in real danger of missing the postseason.

The Padres have fallen to the third spot in the National League wild-card standings. San Diego is only a game ahead of the Milwaukee Brewers for the NL's final playoff spot. At the time of the Aug. 2 trade deadline, the Padres were second in the wild-card standings with a 3.5-game edge for first a playoff spot.

In Thursday's 3-1 loss against the Washington Nationals, closer Josh Hader walked in the winning run. The Padres acquired Hader from the Brewers as one of their big deadline additions, but the pitcher struggled in San Diego. Hader has surrendered seven baserunners and three runs in just 3.1 innings with the Padres.

Hader had a 1.09 ERA in the first three months of the season. The four-time All-Star fell off a cliff in July, giving up 13 runs in 9.1 innings.

Juan Soto, on the other hand, has put up solid numbers since going to San Diego as part of one of the biggest trades in MLB history. The outfielder is hitting .302/456/.453, though he hasn't produced many runs. In 15 games with the Padres, Soto only has one home run and three RBI.

Josh Bell also went to San Diego along with Soto, and the first baseman has been a major disappointment. After hitting .301 in 103 games with the Nationals, Bell has a .125 batting average and only two extra-base hits in 15 games as a Padre.

San Diego's chances of making the playoffs also took a hit when Fernando Tatis Jr. received an 80-game suspension for using performance-enhancing drugs. The slugger has been out for the entire season with an injury but was expected to return for the stretch run of the regular season.

The Padres are 5-8 in their last 13 games. The Los Angeles Dodgers have built an insurmountable 17-game lead atop the NL West.

The Padres are no strangers to second-half collapses. San Diego had a 4.5-game lead in the wild-card race at last year's trade deadline and ultimately missed the playoffs.

Given how much young talent that San Diego traded at the deadline, missing the playoffs could be disastrous for the Padres. San Diego has its eyes on winning a World Series, not simply getting back to the postseason. The Padres became one of the betting favorites to compete for a championship at the trade deadline.

According to FanGraphs, the Padres have a 71.6% chance of making the playoffs.