Kimbrel Traded

Well we have another big move! The Padres have traded closer Craig Kimbrel to the Red Sox for four prospects. They Red Sox traded prospects Manuel Margot, Javier Guerra, Carlos Asuaje, and Logan Allen. The San Diego Padres are doing what they can to scrap some of the bigger contracts they added this past year. Manuel Margot was the Boston Red Sox 3rd overall prospect, who was 17 when the Red Sox signed him. Margot is a 21 year old center fielder who is 5'11 and weights 170 pounds. He isn't the biggest guy, but thats not what he brings. Margot is fast, and a pretty good base stealer in the minors. He has the making of a lead off hitter, or being lower down in the line-up. Javier Guerra was the 6th overall prospect for the Red Sox, and would have been ranked higher if he wasn't so young. Guerra is 19 years old, and is even smaller than Margot. I have been following Guerra and he has improved each year he has played in the minors. Guerra usually plays short stop, but has thrown some second base in the mix. He is a solid defender and is starting to develop some pop in his bat. Carlos Asuaje is another smaller guy who is 5'9 and 160 pounds and 23 years old. He is a utility player who can play both the infield and outfield. Asuaje is normally an infielder if you were to put  him somewhere. Asuaje has played good in the minors, but took a step back last year. He is has been in the minors for 3 years, and has the a chance to get called up this year. Logan Allen is 18 years old and was in his first year in the minors. He is a 6 foot 3 inch tall left handed pitcher who weights 200 pounds. It was a small sample size in the minors, so there isn't much to say about him at the moment.

I have to say I would take four high potential prospects for one star closer any day. It is nothing against Craig Kimbrel, but the upside is a lot better for the Padres. The Red Sox did get the best consistent closer in baseball for the past five years. Craig Kimbrel is a four time all-star, and won the rookie of the year award in 2011 for the Atlanta Braves. He is recently coming off his worst statistical season, but still was dominate. Kimbrel finished with a 2.58 ERA, with 39 saves, and 87 strike outs in 59.1 innings pitched. These are solid numbers, but not usual Kimbrel numbers we are accustomed to seeing. Regardless, Kimbrel is a stud closer and the Red Sox have found the answer to their problem at closer. Kimbrel is signed through the 2017 season and is due to make 42 million dollars in that time. This is the first of a couple moves the Red Sox will make. This is the Padres second trade as they traded reliever Benoit earlier this week to the Seattle Mariners. I don't expect this to be the last move the Padres make this offseason.