Getting Scherzer guarantees nothing for L.A.

Sez Me …

People who really know baseball — and the nerds who think they do but do not — should realize what they're dealing with.

Baseball.

There are no absolutes to this game, no guarantees — or the Giants wouldn't be any good.

But the better teams constantly are trying to get better, and the lesser ones are pulling into the warehouse trying to unload their best players and distended salaries for prospects (most of whom remain prospects).

Because it's baseball. As Friday's MLB trade deadline approached, Twitter was Venus-hot, barbecuing spicy anticipation on the Big Green Egg. The Padres needed a starting pitcher, and, by gum, General Manager A.J. Preller was going to dig into his magic pie and find one.

Nope. Didn't even pull out a plum, which doesn't make him a bad boy.

But the world came to an end.

It did not.

There was a Twitter report Thursday from a reliable baseball insider that a deal with the Nationals for three-time Cy Young winner Max Scherzer was all but completed.

However … “All but” seeds don't always flower at trade deadlines, when rumors — and agents — foul the soil. Soon it became apparent the dreaded Dodgers were going to get Scherzer — not to mention outstanding shortstop Trea Turner — from Washington.

Still, there were more starters out there for Preller to seek. I'm sure he tried, first not succeeding, and trying again, and again. Some were dealt. But not to him.

He found a reliever. And outfielders.

No starters.

So his season is over.

It is not.

Because this is baseball. And if you at least are talented — and the Padres are — there is a chance.

Hell, there always is a chance, man. It's baseball.

Would it have been great to get Scherzer? Of course. But he's 37, and, with his contract expiring at season's end, he likely was going to be a rental here. I'm not big on extending contracts (fully guaranteed) on young pitchers, let alone 37 year olds. Too fragile. Masks don't prevent Tommy John.

The Padres have good pitchers. They just need good pitching. Especially from their starters.

And that can begin tonight, tomorrow, or not at all.

San Diego was damaged right away when last year's ace, Dinelson Lamet, developed arm problems. He's headed for the 'pen — either that or to Dr. T. John.

Preller brought in Yu Darvish, Blake Snell and Joe Musgrove during the offseason. Now this was damn good. Three aces to go with Lamet.

Darvish, really good at times, has grown inconsistent. They all are inconsistent and can't eat innings. Manager Jayce Tingler can do little but trot them out there and hope this is one of their nights.

Snell, a Cy Young winner a few years back, has been terribly uncertain — also terrible on occasion. There is something wrong. Can he be figured out?

Musgrove has had a few lulls, but overall, he's been better than fine, at times brilliant.

Chris Paddack? Talented, but, as usual, you never know if he's going to be sheriff Andy Taylor or deputy Barney Fife. And now he's on the DL as well.

As Preller says, if these guys don't pitch to their capabilities, getting a Scherzer wouldn't matter.

Experts now see the Dodgers, the most talented team, as runaway World Series favorites. And they should be.

But it means nothing. Unless Fernando Tatis can't stay well — he's on the IL now with his shoulder but not expected to miss the rest of the season — the Padres are going to make the playoffs. With the wind blowing the right way, they can beat L.A. in a short series. Why? Because it's baseball. And if mortal experts and nerds think they know, they don't. …

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DENIS POROY AP There was a report on Twitter from a reliable source that Padres GM AJ. Preller (above) had worked a deal to acquire star pitcher Max Scherzer from the Nationals.