BOSTON -- New Red Sox boss Dave Dombrowski on Friday night made his first big move to rebuild the franchise after its third last-place finish in four years, acquiring four-time All-Star closer Craig Kimbrel from the San Diego Padres for four prospects.
Kimbrel, who saved 39 games for the Padres this season, spent the first five years of his career with the Atlanta Braves before they traded him to San Diego on the eve of the 2015 regular season. The Red Sox assumed $25 million remaining on Kimbrel's contract but have him under control for up to three more seasons.
"Moving to the American League, I'm excited," Kimbrel said during a conference call. "It's a league that has the big bats. And being a pitcher, you want a challenge of facing the big bats."
The Padres received outfielder Manuel Margot, infielders Javier Guerra and Carlos Asuaje, and left-hander Logan Allen. Only Asuaje and Margot made it as high as Double-A last season.
"We didn't give anything up at the major league level to affect our club this year," Dombrowski said. "It's good talent. Some of it's a while away."
Kimbrel, 27, went 4-2 with a 2.58 ERA in 61 appearances last season, 43 of them save opportunities, and he struck out 87 in 59 1/3 innings. Since the start of his first full season in 2011, he leads major league relievers with 224 saves and ranks second among them with a 1.70 ERA and 523 strikeouts.
He recorded his 200th save in his 318th game, the fastest in major league history.
