The last of the 30 MLB teams to finalize its 2015 Opening Day roster was the San Diego Padres. New general manager A.J. Preller took it right down to the noon Pacific deadline. Then he took it right on past that deadline.
Turns out Preller had something big in the works. The Padres agreed to a trade with the Braves, sending outfielders Carlos Quentin and Cameron Maybin, along with top pitching prospect Matt Wisler, minor league outfielder Jordan Paroubeck (selected 69th overall in the 2013 MLB Draft) and the 41st overall pick in this year’s Draft in exchange for outfielder Melvin Upton (the artist formerly known as B.J.) and All-Star closer Craig Kimbrel.
National League West, you have been put on notice: The Padres plan to win, and they plan to win right now.
Joaquin Benoit was going to be the closer for 2015, but he had a few rough outings in Spring Training, leaving a few questions as to whether or not the Padres had a true, dominant 9th inning specialist. Kimbrel is arguably the best closer in baseball.
He’s led the National League in saves the last four years and he’ll turn 27 years old next month. Kimbrel also has three years left on his contract, giving the Padres control of a player who has gone to four straight All-Star games.
Speaking of contract control, that’s likely the reason the Padres also took on Upton’s deal. B.J. is owed $46 million over the next three years. He’ll be the 4th or 5th outfielder, but more importantly, his presence could be the final factor in Justin Upton staying in San Diego.
Melvin’s little brother is in the final year of his contract. Preller said when he first made the deal with Atlanta that he did not see Upton as a one-year rental and wanted to work out another deal with the power-hitting left fielder. Having family on the team is a big feather in the Padres’ cap when negotiations start.
San Diego had a logjam in the outfield after Preller’s off-season trading bonanza that yielded Matt Kemp, Justin Upton and Wil Myers. The arrival of two All-Stars and the 2013 A.L. Rookie Of The Year meant one of the three holdovers had to go. Turns out Will Venable is the last man standing from the 2014 Padres outfield.
Moving Quentin and Maybin sends out about $26 million of salary over the next two years. Bringing in Upton and Kimbrel adds about $80 million over the next three years. If anyone had any doubts about whether or not the Padres new ownership group was really willing to spend money to win, this move erases them 100%.
The elder Upton will not be with the team until around May. He’s on the disabled list with a foot injury and only recently got out of a walking boot. So, the Padres will only have four outfielders on the roster for Opening Day in L.A. against the Dodgers.
To make room for Kimbrel in the bullpen, the Padres optioned right-handed pitchers Brandon Maurer and Kevin Quackenbush to Triple-A El Paso, placed left-handed pitcher Cory Luebke on the 15-day disabled list with a strained left elbow and right-handed pitcher Josh Johnson on the 15-day disabled list with a strained right elbow.
That means the Padres have an extra spot in the infield, so former first round draft pick Cory Spangenberg, who can play second, short, third or left field, makes his first Opening Day roster. The Friars also solidified their backup catching spot, keeping Wil Nieves on the team to spell Derek Norris.
So, here’s the full 2015 San Diego Padres roster:
PITCHERS (12)
James Shields, RHP
Tyson Ross, RHP
Andrew Cashner, RHP
Ian Kennedy, RHP
Brandon Morrow, RHP
Craig Kimbrel, RHP
Odrisamer Despaigne, RHP
Joaquin Benoit, RHP
Shawn Kelley, RHP
Dale Thayer, RHP
Nick Vincent, RHP
Frank Garces, LHP
CATCHERS (2)
Derek Norris
Wil Nieves
INFIELDERS (7)
Yonder Alonso
Jedd Gyorko
Alexi Amarista
Will Middlebrooks
Yangervis Solarte
Clint Barmes
Cory Spangenberg
OUTFIELDERS (4)
Matt Kemp
Justin Upton
Wil Myers
Will Venable
