Padres and Braves Complete Mega-Swap
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(NEW YORK) — San Diego continued their aggressive offseason roster overhaul on the eve of opening day.
The Padres and Braves completed a trade Sunday evening that will see closer Craig Kimbrel and outfielder Melvin Upton, Jr. relocate to San Diego. In exchange, Atlanta acquires outfielders Cameron Maybin and Carlos Quentin, as well as right-handed pitching prospect Matt Wisler, Jordan Paroubeck and the No. 41 pick in the 2015 amateur draft.
Upton, Jr, formerly known as B.J, rejoins his brother Justin. The Upton’s are part of a contingent of players that first-year general manager A.J. Preller has added to a roster that includes Matt Kemp, Wil Meyers, Derek Norris, Will Middlebrooks and James Shields.
Kimbrel, a four-time All-Star, has maintained an ERA under 2.00 for the past three seasons. He will likely solidify a bullpen that already included Joaquin Benoit and seek to shorten games for one of the best rotations in baseball. Last season the Padres were baseball’s fourth best, with a team ERA of 3.27.
“It was an opportunity that we couldn’t pass up,” Preller said regarding the trade for Kimbrel.
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