Dennis Lin of the San Diego Union-Tribune reported on Nov. 7 that San Diego Padres general manager A.J. Preller was willing to move anything not tied down. As a result, closer Craig Kimbrel could be traded for the second time in as many seasons.
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Kimbrel One of Many Closers Potentially on the Move This Offseason
Tuesday, Nov. 10
CBSSports.com’s Jon Heyman reported Tuesday the Padres’ aim in trading Kimbrel wouldn’t necessarily be in starting from the ground up with a full rebuild but rather crafting their roster “around a nucleus they like.”
MLB.com’s Corey Brock speculated earlier in November the team’s decision to pick up Joaquin Benoit’s option for 2016 was an insurance policy for the event Kimbrel is no longer on the team.
San Diego’s timing in trying to trade its All-Star closer couldn’t be much worse since it will be a buyer’s market this winter. Heyman mentioned no fewer than seven late-inning relievers whose current teams are either trying to deal them or are fielding calls from other clubs for their services.
Despite moving to the spacious Petco Park, Kimbrel had his worst season to date in MLB in 2015. His 39 saves were a career low outside of his rookie year, while his 2.58 earned run average was also a career high. His 0.91 home runs allowed per nine innings were also nearly double his career average (0.47).
Combine that with the $24 million guaranteed to Kimbrel over the next two years—he has a $1 million buyout in 2018—and the Padres might be forced to take a loss in any trade.
They dealt Matt Wisler and Jordan Paroubeck to the Atlanta Braves in order to acquire Kimbrel, and receiving similar value in return for the flamethrower will in all likelihood be impossible with all of the factors at play.
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