But Preller, like Beane before him, prefers to focus on what he gets rather than what he gives, and how this year's prize, Miller, joins Justin Upton, Craig Kimbrel, Blake Snell, Yu Darvish, Joe Musgrove, Josh Hader, Juan Soto, Dylan Cease, Luis Arráez and Tanner Scott -- players who came back in deals and, in varying ways, made the Padres matter.

As a result, the Padres have had to move on from multiple players, including former New York Yankees utility man Tyler Wade. Wade had appeared in 60 games for the Padres, including 90 last season, hitting .206 this year.

The San Diego Padres had a busy trade deadline, and continued to make moves in August by bringing in minor league catcher Eli Wilson from the Pittsburgh Pirates