LOS ANGELES — In a move that has stunned Dodgers fans and reignited one of baseball’s fiercest rivalries, former Los Angeles Dodgers World Series champion Jake McGee has officially signed a deal with a division rival — setting the stage for dramatic reunions in 2025.
The announcement, made Sunday afternoon, confirmed that McGee is joining the San Diego Padres, a team long known for its heated history with the Dodgers. The deal not only strengthens San Diego’s bullpen but also gives McGee a chance to remind L.A. why he was once a key piece in their championship puzzle.
“McGee still has what it takes to shut the door in the ninth,” one NL scout told reporters. “And he’s not afraid to prove it against his old team.”
Jake McGee was instrumental during the Dodgers’ 2020 World Series run, posting a 2.66 ERA and striking out hitters with commanding presence. Though his tenure with the team was relatively short, his impact was lasting. Known for his poise in late-inning situations, McGee earned the trust of Dodgers fans — and now, he’s suiting up to face them.
In recent seasons, McGee has bounced around the league, but sources say his experience and clubhouse leadership made him an attractive target for San Diego’s front office.
The Dodgers and Padres rivalry has intensified in recent years — from benches-clearing incidents to playoff clashes. The addition of McGee, once a trusted closer in Los Angeles, only turns up the heat.
Social media erupted following the news, with Dodgers fans divided between wishing McGee well and feeling betrayed. Padres fans, on the other hand, welcomed the move as a savvy acquisition in their postseason push.
“This is chess, not checkers,” one Padres insider commented. “We just added October experience.”
McGee is expected to join the Padres’ bullpen rotation immediately and could make his debut during the next Dodgers-Padres series — setting the stage for must-watch drama under the lights.
As the NL West race tightens, every arm counts. And McGee? He just added a spark that could ignite fireworks.