Anthony Rizzo, Theo Epstein and Jed Hoyer are reunited once again, but not in Boston.
The Cubs traded right-hander Andrew Cashner and minor league outfielder Kyung-Min Na to the Padres on Friday in exchange for Rizzo — the former Red Sox top prospect — and pitcher Zach Cates.
A sixth-round pick by the Red Sox in 2007, Rizzo ascended to Double-A and was a standout in Boston’s farm system. But before the 2011 season, Epstein dealt Rizzo, Reymond Fuentes and Casey Kelly to San Diego in the blockbuster trade that landed Adrian Gonzalez.
Currently the president of baseball operations for the Cubs, Epstein re-acquired Rizzo in an ongoing attempt to rebuild the Chicago club. The first baseman is also re-aligning himself with Hoyer, who served in the Padres’ front office prior to this season and is now the Cubs’ general manager.
Rizzo, 22, was rendered expendable after the Padres landed prospect Yonder Alonso from the Reds during the offseason. In 49 games last season, Rizzo hit .141 with one home run and nine RBIs.
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