San Diego Padres rumors: Houston Astros tried to make blockbuster deal at MLB trade deadline

It sounds like the Houston Astros and San Diego Padres could have been potential trade partners at the MLB trade deadline if A.J. Preller had decided his team was a seller rather than a buyer.

San Diego Padres rumors: Houston Astros attempted blockbuster deal at MLB trade deadline

According to Chandler Rome, who covers the Astros for The Athletic, the defending World Champions made an interesting inquiry of Preller in the hours before the MLB trade deadline.

While we don't know exactly who that starter and reliever might have been, it's safe to say, knowing how the Astros eventually ended up with Justin Verlander after working a last-minute deal with the New York Mets, that Houston wasn't looking for just any starter or reliever in their quest to repeat as World Champions. It's likely the Astros were asking about the availability of Blake Snell and Josh Hader, both players who are due to be free agents at the end of this season.

Had that possible deal gone through, it would shaken the landscape of both the American and National Leagues. However, that's in an alternate universe. In the one we're living in, the Padres were buyers, acquiring several key players who can bolster the rotation, bullpen and lineup, including Scott Barlow, who made his Padres debut on Wednesday after a deadline day deal was struck with the Kansas City Royals to obtain his services.

With Preller ultimately tabbing his team as buyers after a weekend sweep of the Texas Rangers at Petco Park, the Padres now know they can continue a push for the postseason with a strengthened roster that will see even more changes when starting pitcher Rich Hill is officially added to the roster. The veteran southpaw is expected to make his Padres debut this weekend when the rival Los Angeles Dodgers visit Petco Park.