Dave Dombrowski wasn’t lying.
The Boston Red Sox announced Thursday they had traded infielder/outfielder Garin Cecchini to the Milwaukee Brewers in exchange for cash considerations. The move came one day after Dombrowski told reporters at the Major League Baseball winter meetings in Nashville, Tenn., that Cecchini had drawn interest on the trade market.
Cecchini was designated for assignment last week to make room on Boston’s 40-man roster for left-hander David Price, who signed a seven-year, $217 million contract. The Red Sox had until Friday to trade Cecchini.
The trade ends an interesting Red Sox tenure for Cecchini, who soared up prospect rankings following a breakout 2013 season, only to plummet in said rankings after back-to-back lackluster campaigns. The 24-year-old still has upside, though, so it’s not surprising that other clubs had interest.
Cecchini, who was drafted in the fourth round in 2010, hit .322 with seven home runs, 61 RBIs and a very impressive .443 on-base percentage in 129 games split between Single-A Salem and Double-A Portland in 2013. He was ranked baseball’s No. 57 prospect by MLB.com going into 2014.
Cecchini started off as a third baseman but played mostly left field last season. He hit .213 with seven homers, 28 RBIs and a .583 OPS in 117 games with Triple-A Pawtucket in 2015, creating more questions about his hit tool in addition to some defensive concerns that already loomed.
Cecchini has 13 games of major league experience, all with the Red Sox. He hit .229 (8-for-35) with one homer, four RBIs and a .725 OPS in those contests.
Thumbnail photo via Joy R. Absalon/USA TODAY Sports Images
