The San Diego Padres are closing out their frantic offseason in dramatic fashion.
Less than 24 hours before Monday’s Opening Day matchup with the Los Angeles Dodgers, the Padres have acquired closer Craig Kimbrel and outfielder Melvin Upton Jr. from the Atlanta Braves, a source told FanGraphs’ Kiley McDaniel.
According to McDaniel, the Braves have landed outfielders Carlos Quentin and Cameron Maybin, pitching prospect Matt Wisler and outfield prospect Jordan Paroubeck from the Padres. The Braves also will receive a No. 41 overall pick in the 2015 MLB draft, FOX Sports’ Jon Morosi confirmed via a source.
On paper, the deal appears to be a win-win for both sides. Kimbrel, whose 185 saves since 2011 are the most in MLB, will anchor an already stellar bullpen that had the second-best ERA in all of baseball last season. Upton might have difficulty cracking a revamped outfield that includes Matt Kemp, Wil Myers and brother Justin Upton, but the chance to reunite with his sibling in a new location might be just what he needs to turn things around.
The Braves, meanwhile, will get a decent haul for Kimbrel and Upton as they enter full rebuilding mode. Maybin is a native of Asheville, N.C., which is just three hours from Atlanta, and he and Quentin could add a valuable veteran presence for one of the youngest teams in baseball.
Wisler, a 22-year-old right-hander, is a top-100 prospect, according to MLB.com, while Paroubeck and a 41st overall pick also give Atlanta extra resources.
UPDATE (7:05 p.m.): The Padres confirmed the deal in a press release Sunday night.
Thumbnail photo via Kim Klement/USA TODAY Sports Images
