Pedro Ciriaco Packs His Bags For San Diego

Designated for assignment by the Red Sox on Monday, Pedro Ciriaco was acquired by the San Diego Padres today for a player to be named later. The 27-year old utility infielder with Boston since 2012 when he came to them from Pittsburgh, had flashes of brilliance, especially his total humiliation of Yankee pitching over the 4th of July weekend in 2012 when he was first called up.

May 15, 2013; St. Petersburg, FL, USA; Boston Red Sox shortstop Pedro Ciriaco (23) works out prior to the game against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Since then Ciriaco’s shortcomings have been exposed – lack of plate discipline and inconsistency in the field. I have to admit, he had me fooled. I was advocating hard to hand Ciriaco the starting shortstop position on Opening Day when Stephen Drew went down in late spring, citing Jose Iglesias‘ light hitting. I continue to wipe the Iggy egg off my face as Iglesias just keeps on murdering the ball (.449/.494/.577/1.o71) this season while Ciriaco’s star has decidedly fallen (.216/.293/.353/.646 and an .854 fielding percentage). With Drew’s signing and the ascendence of Iglesias, Ciriaco became expendable.

Ciriaco will provide value to the Padres. In his four years in the majors his slashline is a very respectable .287/.315/.398/.713 hitter. Although he can play third base, shortstop and second base Ciriaco also played all three outfield positions and first base during his time with Boston.