Oct 2, 2020; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Yu Darvish (11) throws against the Miami Marlins during the first inning in game two of a Wild Card playoff baseball game at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-USA TODAY Sports

For anyone that thought the Los Angeles Dodgers were going to have no competition out West, think again. The San Diego Padres are going all-in to win now, as they have quickly transformed their rotation into one of the best in baseball.

The first domino to fall came on Sunday, when the Padres swung a deal with Tampa to acquire Rays ace Blake Snell. San Diego then addressed their infield by signing Korean star Ha-Seong Kim earlier on Monday, before making one last blockbuster deal to cap off a very productive 48 hours.

Mark Feinsand of MLB.com has reported that the Chicago Cubs have agree to trade Cy Young runner-up Yu Darvish to the Padres in exchange for starting pitcher Zach Davies and a package of prospects. Along with Darvish, San Diego will acquire catcher Victor Caratini from the Cubs.

Caratini caught all 12 of Darvish’s starts this past season, as the 34-year-old led the National League with eight wins and a 3.0 fWAR. The right-hander pitched to a 2.01 ERA, with 93 strikeouts in 76 innings pitched. There is still three years and $59 million remaining on the six-year, $126 million deal Darvish signed with the Cubs back in 2018.

Now with the additions of Darvish and Snell, along with incumbent ace Dinelson Lamet, the Padres feature an eye-popping rotation.

Meanwhile the Cubs were able to net four prospects in this deal, while also replacing Darvish in the rotation with Zach Davies. While he does not have the same overpowering stuff as Darvish, Davies is still a very solid starting pitcher with a career 3.79 ERA across 123 starts.

Davies had an excellent season in his lone campaign with the Padres in 2020, setting career-best marks with a 2.73 ERA and a 1.06 WHIP. The soon-t0-be 28-year-old will be a free agent after the 2021 season.

As far as the prospect return for Darvish, Chicago received four of the Padres top 20 prospects acquiring 18-year-old outfielders Owen Caissie and Ismael Mena, as well as shortstops Reggie Preciado (17) and Yeison Santana (20).

MLB insider Jon Heyman has reported that this deal is pending medical records and could be finalized as soon as tomorrow.