Red Sox Acquire Closer Craig Kimbrel

That sounds familiar. Last season, when leading after eight innings, the Yankees were 73-2, the best mark in the AL. But if his eighth- and ninth-inning at-bats are completely out of the picture, it would mean that it’s his chances in the sixth and seventh innings that would really count. This week the Padres and GM A.J. Preller have moved two pitchers already, with Kimbrel joining 38-year-old RHP Joaquin Benoit (traded to the Seattle Mariners Thursday) in leaving town – as baseball insiders wonder if the smaller-meaket team is poised for another traditional winter “fire sale”. He does not have the power as Moncada and Devers, but projects as a solid pro hitter with good speed, lots of patience at the plate, and the defensive prowess to play all three outfield positions. Our scouts did a good job of highlighting players.

Before getting into the fantasy angles of this trade, it is important to note that the Red Sox were also in contact with Cincinnati regarding Aroldis Chapman.

It is 2015, and every Major League Baseball trade must have a clear victor and LOSER to satiate Baseball Twitter’s need for first takes.

This is surprising, considering Guerra spent the entire 2015 season with the Red Sox’s Low-A Greenville affiliate. He hit 19 doubles and three triples, while stealing 49 bases and scoring 61 runs.

The Padres received outfielder Manuel Margot, infielders Javier Guerra and Carlos Asuaje, and left-hander Logan Allen. In 342 minor league games Margot has just 23 home runs. How much does it matter that the system is so deep and the Sox are set at shortstop and center field?

Blue Jays: Free agent right-hander Marco Estrada agreed to a $26 million, two-year contract to remain with Toronto. San Diego asked about Gold Glover Andrelton Simmons before the Braves traded him to the Angels on Thursday.

None of these four players have advanced beyond Double-A yet. Makes pitchers work. Below-average power potential; plays best at second base, fringe-average arm strength.

Asauje was one of the standouts of the Arizona Fall League for me.

The 18-year-old Allen was Boston’s eighth-round draft pick this season out of IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fla. In 59.1 innings, Kimbrell struck out 87 and walked 22.

The total haul is commensurate with a player of Kimbrel’s talent. His “worst” season still resulted in 39 saves in 43 chances.

Kimbrel is used to high-stress situations, having been a closer for five seasons (four with Atlanta and one with San Diego). We leave no stone unturned in our debate! Between them, Margot and Guerra represent the positional surplus that Dombrowski has alluded to since he was hired as Red Sox president of baseball operations in August. He’ll be paid $11 million in 2016 and $13 million in 2017 and Sox hold a $13 million option for ’18 or there’s a $1 million buyout. While they will likely be in on David Price and Zack Greinke in free agency, it may be more likely to expect Dombrowski to continue to use his elite prospects as trade bait. Young reliever Brandon Maurer is one candidate for late-inning duties, though the former starter also is interested in returning to the rotation.

For now, the Padres seem more likely to fill the closer role from outside the organization.