Padres trade for Kimbrel
The San Diego Padres couldn’t start the season without yet another blockbuster deal by first-year general manager A.J. Preller.
Preller pushed ahead with his remarkable makeover of the Padres on Sunday when he acquired All-Star closer Craig Kimbrel and outfielder Melvin Upton from the Atlanta Braves for outfielders Carlos Quentin and Cameron Maybin, plus two minor leaguers and a draft pick.
While Upton will be reunited with his younger brother, Padres left fielder Justin Upton, this deal centered around Kimbrel, whom Preller called “an A-level performer.”
The Padres take on $80.35 million in guaranteed salaries to Kimbrel and Upton while shedding the $24 million guaranteed still owed to the oft-injured Quentin and Maybin.
“With the chance to acquire Kimbrel, who’s one of the best in the game, if not the best, it was a price we were willing to pay,” Preller said during a conference call. “He’s an A-level performer. He’s 26 years old. It’s an opportunity to strengthen our club.”
Taking on the remaining $46.35 million on Melvin Upton’s contract appeared to be the price for landing Kimbrel, who is owed a guaranteed $34 million. Melvin Upton was placed on the disabled list Saturday with a left foot injury.
Preller said the Padres weren’t necessarily “motivated to try to get Melvin and Justin together as brothers. It was a situation where we felt overall the deal fit for us and we attempted to go out and add quality pieces to get Craig Kimbrel in this deal.”
Kimbrel led the N.L. for the second straight year with 47 saves after saving 50 games in 2013.
Since his first full season in 2011, when he won the N.L. Rookie of the Year award, Kimbrel leads all big league closers with 185 saves. He has been an All-Star each of the last four seasons.
Preller said Kimbrel was trying to catch a plane in Miami to make it to Los Angeles in time for today’s opener.
Kluber deal finalized
Corey Kluber has financial security, and the Indians figure to have their ace for at least five more years.
The A.L. Cy Young winner finalized a $38.5 million, five-year contract, a package that ties Kluber to Cleveland through the 2019 season.
“I wanted to be here. I wanted to be in Cleveland,” Kluber said. “That was the driving force behind it for me.”
Clearing the bases
Everyday players Jayson Werth, Anthony Rendon, Denard Span, fourth outfielder Nate McLouth and eighth-inning setup man Casey Janssen are among the players put on the 15-day disabled list by Washington. … Baltimore placed four players on the disabled list, including catcher Matt Wieters and shortstop J.J. Hardy. … Alex Cobb was among four starting pitchers placed on the disabled list by Tampa Bay. The others are Drew Smyly, Alex Colome and Matt Moore (60-day), plus closer Jake McGee. … Lon Simmons, a Hall of Fame broadcaster whose career spanned five decades calling San Francisco Giants, Oakland Athletics and 49ers games, has died. He was 91. … Commissioner Rob Manfred is expected to announce that the Washington Nationals Park will host the 2018 All-Star Game.