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Red Sox: Grading trades, free agent signings of Dave Dombrowski

By Rick McNair

Dec 6, 2016; National Harbor, MD, USA; Boston Red Sox president of baseball operation Dave Dombrowski speaks with the media after the Red Sox made a trade for pitcher Chris Sale (not pictured) at Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 6, 2016; National Harbor, MD, USA; Boston Red Sox president of baseball operation Dave Dombrowski speaks with the media after the Red Sox made a trade for pitcher Chris Sale (not pictured) at Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 10, 2016; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Red Sox relief pitcher Craig Kimbrel (46) prepares to deliver a pitch in the eighth inning against the Cleveland Indians during game three of the 2016 ALDS playoff baseball series at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 10, 2016; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Red Sox relief pitcher Craig Kimbrel (46) prepares to deliver a pitch in the eighth inning against the Cleveland Indians during game three of the 2016 ALDS playoff baseball series at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports /

CRAIG KIMBREL TRADE

The idea for a productive farm system is to supply talent to avoid enormous contracts when a player hits free agency, fill in holes when necessary and to acquire players that may have an immediate impact for your team. The last is why Craig Kimbrel came to Boston.

The Red Sox sent four minor league players to the Padres for Kimbrel. The centerpiece was Manuel Margot, a promising center fielder who was roadblocked in Boston by several others and became expendable. Margot is now doing rather well for the Padres and eventually – at least from my perspective – will be an All-Star. But what about Kimbrel?

In 2016 I hated this deal and in 2017 I love this deal. What one year and a world of fewer walks can do. Kimbrel was a four-time All-Star in the National League with the Braves and had also led the NL in saves four times. Kimbrel’s calling card was and is heat. But in Boston?

In 2016, Kimbrel had a 5.1 BB/9. Awful. The earned run average came in at 3.40 and that was a warning sign since his last season in San Diego he had registered a career-high 2.40 ERA. The plus was when Kimbrel was “on” he was virtually unhittable. Now he is unhittable in just about every game. The 1.1 BB/9 tells a nice story for 2017.

This was a great trade for both teams. The Red Sox have one of the best closers in the game and the Padres have some promising young talent. A win-win situation.

EARLY GRADE – A

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