Boston Red Sox acquire Craig Kimbrel

The Boston Red Sox acquired All-Star reliever Craig Kimbrel from the San Diego Padres on Friday, in exchange for minor league prospects; Manuel Margot (OF), Logan Allen (LHP), Javier Guerra (SS) and Carlos Asuaje (INF). Kimbrel is on to his third MLB team after one year in San Diego posting a 4-2 record, with 39 saves and 2.58 ERA.

The Red Sox gave up a chunk of their highly ranked minor league system including Manuel Margot, who hit .271 with 19 stolen bases and 33 RBI in his first season in AA – Portland. All four prospects were rated in the top 30 of the Red Sox system by soxprospects.com (Margot – 4^th, Guerra – 6^th, Allen – 13^th, Asuaje – 25^th). Guerra could fill the need for a long-term shortstop for a Padres team that lacks an effective SS and who could be looking for short-term fixes until then. Allen was drafted this year and made it to Short Season A ball in Lowell where he was effective in his one start. Asuaje could start the year in AAA for the Padres and profiles as a utility infielder who can play multiple positions.

For the Red Sox, it strengthens a bullpen that had an ERA well over the league average. Kimbrel will slide into the closer role, while incumbent Koji Uehara, slides to the 8^th inning. This move also allows Junichi Tazawa to pitch the 7^th inning and relieves stress on relievers like Robbie Ross Jr., who struggled to hold off hitters in the late innings.