The Boston Red Sox had their eyes on Brad Ziegler long before they traded for him, but he happens to be joining the club at an opportune time.
Boston traded minor league prospects Jose Almonte and Luis Alejandro Basabe to get Ziegler from the Arizona Diamondbacks early Saturday, and it just so happens the Red Sox sent closer Craig Kimbrel to the disabled list with a meniscus tear. Ziegler has earned 18 saves in 20 opportunities this season and has a 2.82 ERA.
But while it’s lucky Boston has Ziegler with Kimbrel on the mend, Red Sox president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski said before Saturday’s game against the Tampa Bay Rays that they would have brought him in as more of a replacement for Carson Smith anyway. Ziegler, a ground-ball pitcher, happens to be a good complement to the Red Sox’s bullpen.
Hear more about the reliever from NESN’s Adam Pellerin and Tim Wakefield and WEEI’s Rob Bradford on “Red Sox Gameday Live” in the video above.
Thumbnail photo via Joe Camporeale/USA TODAY Sports Images
