The San Diego Padres, currently 2.5 games behind the Los Angeles Dodgers in the National League West, are in the midst of yet another roster shakeup. Amid rumors of an All-Star’s potential move to the Yankees, Manny Machado continues to take the field without pause.

Despite falling behind in the National League West after a tough defeat to the Dodgers, the San Diego Padres remain focused on claiming the division crown. Rising star Jackson Merrill’s unexpected MVP award offers a beacon of hope for the Friars, even as their rivals dismiss the magnitude of this baseball standoff.