Padres won't be buyers without improvement

SAN DIEGO -- Less than three weeks ago, the Padres were doing much more than just considering the option of adding pitching before the July 31 non-waiver Trade Deadline.

However, a recent swoon -- the Padres have dropped 11 of their last 12 games -- has San Diego in a much different place today.

"It has changed," said Padres general manager Josh Byrnes. "We were very aggressive in kicking the tires. The prices we heard were very high."

As recently as June 17, the Padres were 36-34 and just one game back in the competitive National League West. They entered play Thursday with a 41-51 record, 6 1/2 games back in the NL West.

The Padres would still like to improve their pitching for the second half but are wary about parting with prospects for a rental situation. If they can obtain a pitcher they can control beyond 2013, that might be something they're interested in.

But for now, the team needs to play better before Byrnes thinks again about making a deal.

"Now, we need to climb back in it," Byrnes said.