Padres trade closer Craig Kimbrel to Red Sox
The Boston Red Sox have acquired right-handed pitcher Craig Kimbrel from San Diego Padres in exchange for pitcher Logan Allen, infielder Carlos Asuaje, shortstop Javier Guerra and outfielder Manuel Margot, the team announced.
The deal was first reported by Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports.
The Red Sox will pay the remainder of Kimbrel's contract, according to Jon Heyman of CBS Sports.
Kimbrel, 27, is coming off a season in which he recorded 39 saves with a 2.58 ERA. He has 225 career saves after having played five seasons with the Atlanta Braves before joining the Padres in 2015.
Koji Uehara led the Red Sox bullpen with 25 saves, 87 strikeouts and a 2.23 ERA last season.
The prospects acquired by the Padres may be a few years away from being promoted to the major league team.
Margot, 21, played 110 games between Single A Salem and Double A Portland in 2015 and finished with a combined .276 batting average, 27 doubles, nine triples, six home runs, 50 RBIs, 73 runs and 39 stolen bases.
Guerra, 20, played 116 games for Single A Greenville and hit .279 with 15 home runs and 68 RBIs.
The Padres and Red Sox will open the season on April 4. The Padres will open at home against the Los Angeles Dodgers as the Red Sox hit the road to face the Cleveland Indians.
- Christopher Chavez
