The Boston Red Sox made a big move to bolster their bullpen Friday night, acquiring San Diego Padres closer Craig Kimbrel for four minor-league prospects, according to numerous reports. Uehara then wrote on Twitter that the move was necessary for the Sox to become champions and he would do his best in whatever role he was given. The Red Sox assumed $25 million remaining on Kimbrel’s contract but have him under control for up to three more seasons.
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Kimbrel is owed $11 million in 2016 and $13 million in 2017, with a $13 team option or $1 million buyout in 2018.
Kimbrel, 27, already has 225 career saves with a 1.63 ERA and 563 strikeouts in 348 1/3 innings over six seasons.
Asked this week if Henry has agreed to delve into the free-agent market for a starting pitcher, Dombrowski said, “We haven’t eliminated anything at this point”.
The Red Sox traded four minor leaguers: top prospects Manuel Margot and Javier Guerra as well as Carlos Asuaje and Logan Allen.
The 27-year-old finished with 37 saves last season during his lone year in San Diego.
Asuaje, 24, spent 2015 with Double A Portland, playing primarily second base.
Kimbrel is one of several elite closers that the Red Sox were rumored to have interest in trading for, with Aroldis Chapman‘s name floating around in recent days. But he started and ended last season on the disabled list, finishing his year on August 7 with a broken right wrist.Dombrowski said manager John Farrell spoke to Uehara and the pitcher was willing to do whatever the ballclub wanted.John Farrell thought he would be fine, knowing the type of individual he is, Dombrowski said.
Guerra, 20, played 116 games for Single A Greenville and hit.
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Allen, Boston’s eighth-round selection in June, made seven starts in rookie ball before making the jump to Low-A Lowell at the end of the season.
