Until the Red Sox and Rays made a deal this week, the Padres had been involved in the only two trades consummated since Major League Baseball allowed transactions to resume nearly two months ago.
General Manager A.J. Preller acquired infielder Jorge Mateo from the A’s for a player to be named later June 30 and on July 16 sent Franchy Cordero and Ronald Bolaños to the Royals in exchange for reliever Tim Hill.
It was just the latest illustration of Preller’s penchant for roster maneuvers.
Whether this season will allow for more activity before the Aug.