This past weekend the Red Sox jumped into maneuvers quickly to aid their pitching staff, as they acquired closer Craig Kimbrel from the Padres in exchange for 4 minor leaguers. In the deal, the Friers got Manuel Margot (#25 ranked prospect in the game), Javier Guerra (#76), Carlos Asuaje, and Logan Allen. While the Padres have a suspect farm system and an underperforming major league roster, the Sox should benefit the most from this trade.
Logan Allen and Carlos Asuaje have been just OK in the minors, so departing with them is not a big deal; however, losing two kids who are ranked in the top 100 will sting a bit. Manuel Margot hasn’t exactly been stellar in the minors, but is promising. The big loss though, is Javier Guerra, as he is looking like the next Carlos Corriea or Francisco Lindor. In the end however, the Sox acquired the most lethal closer the game has seen since Mariano Rivera, all while not losing Yoan Moncada or Rafael Devers, both of whom are ranked in the top 20 prospects. After leading the NL in saves 4 years in a row, Craig only came up with 39 while playing for the Padres in 2015. This may have ben due to the fact that he got around 8 less opportunities to close the door than he did all those years with the Braves, as the Padres ranked 23rd in offensive performance. Kimbrel may be going to the power hitting AL East, but it may help him instead of dampen. In order to get AL batters out, a strikeout is the best way to go; Kimbrel’s career K/9 is 14.5. Also, the Red Sox should give him more opportunities and innings, as they ranked 4th in overall offensive production. Losing or gaining a stellar arm like his could make or break an organization.
After dealing set up man Joaquin Benoit to the Mariners, the Padres also deal their closer. Why? Well, after a disappointing 2015, with a revamped roster, it looks like the Padres are going to deal with the fact that they can’t risk another down season with this squad. After receiving Javier Guerra and Manuel Margot from Boston, it certainly looks like the front office is also aware of the fairly weak prospect list their team currently has. Now, shortly after trading the dominant 9th inning man, they have put Matt Kemp and Tyson Ross on the trade block, which could only mean one thing, rebuild. No matter what other move is made by the Friers this winter, giving up Kimbrel may end up being the best one. The two holes that have always been a major concern for the Padres have been shortstop and outfield. Javier Guerra batted .279 with merely 200 total bases this past year in single A, all while playing well at short, revealing that he has at least 3 sharp tools. Margot, so far in the minors, has a slugging percentage of .442, batting average of .282, and has stolen 132 bases, as he also is showing great promise. Good start to the winter for both the Sox and Padres, but they have to keep it up if they are to both meet their goals.
