The trade deadline passed July 31 at 1 p.m. pacific time. And closer Heath Bell remained a Padre.

The team that most experts predicted to be one of the most active made only two deals, both happening shortly before the non-waiver trade deadline passed.

The first involved relief pitcher Mike Adams who was traded to the Texas Rangers for two starting pitchers, left-handed Robbie Erlin, and right-handed Joe Wieland.

The second trade involved outfielder Ryan Ludwick going to the Pittsburgh Pirates for a PTBNL or cash.

And finally Jed Hoyer failed to trade closer Heath Bell.

Mike Adams, SP

(Image from SI.com)

Starting with the Adams deal:

I like this deal. Sure he is under team control for longer then Bell, but San Diego has an uncanny knack for finding really good relief pitchers.

In the short term there is plenty of depth in the bullpen to replace him and in the long term it seems like it will be awhile before the Padres are competing for a playoff spot so the need for a dominating 8th inning pitcher isn’t that high.

In return the Padres got two good pitching prospects. Who according to experts will be very good No. 3 and 4 pitchers. The Padres apparently got the two pitchers they wanted from the Rangers, so we will have to wait and see if the prospects pan out.

Ryan Ludwick, OF

(Image from SI.com)

Continuing with the Ludwick trade:

I liked when the acquired Ludwick at the deadline last year, then when he came over and played for the Padres it was nothing to write home about.

That original trade wasn’t really a bust because I cannot remember who we gave up for him.

As for trading him away, it was the best move, the Padres weren’t going to keep him after this year so getting anything for him is a win.

Now between the PTBNL or cash I really hope they get a prospect. Hoyer has been all about restocking the farm system and getting as many good prospects as they could (one of the reasons they didn’t trade Bell, which I will get to shortly).

As for not trading Bell, I liked it. If only because he is now the only reason I will go to PETCO Park and watch a game the rest of the year.

Sure we could have got some minor league players for him and he would probability have signed back in San Diego at the end of the year. But Hoyer over estimated the trade market for a rent-a-closer/relief pitcher. (I will talk about this more in my Patch column this week.)

In the end I wish the Padres would have traded everybody with any trade value because they are clearly not going anywhere this season. But they got good return for what they did deal.