Padres acquire LHP James Reeves for OF Greg Allen
Credit: MiLB
The San Diego Padres added a left-handed pitcher by the name of James Reeves from the New York Yankees in a trade Wednesday.Â
A causality of the trade frenzy this past week, Greg Allen was designated for assignment by the Padres on December 31.
Allen, a Hilltop High School alumnus, played a single game for the Padres in 2020 after being acquired from the Cleveland Indians in the Mike Clevinger deal. The versatile, 27-year-old outfielder is considered an excellent defender.
San Diego needed to find a trade partner for Allen, and they did just that in the New York Yankees.
A.J. Preller and his staff acquired a left-handed relief pitcher by the name of James Reeves to add to the team’s minor league depth.
In 2019, the 27-year-old went 7-2 with a 1.87 ERA, and a 0.995 WHIP in 67 innings pitched between High Single-A and Double-A. The southpaw pitches mostly out of the bullpen, where he has found great success in recent years. He will likely remain in the pen for the Padres.
Reeves’s overall record in the minors is 20-7 with a 2.30 ERA and a 1.060 WHIP in 137 games and 293 innings pitched. He struck out 350 batters in that time while walking 111. The native of South Carolina throws from a lower arm slot and generates a fastball in the upper 80s to low 90s. The lefty possesses a great slider and can also throw a changeup.
Here is some video on Reeves from a few years back.
The Padres did well to add another arm into the mix.
It remains to be seen if Reeves will actually make a splash on the roster, but there is upside with the arm. Greg Allen had no future with the team and was days away from being flat-out released and made a free agent. Preller and his staff turned an outfield afterthought into a commodity.
Reeves will probably start the coming season in the minors but, if an injury happens, he could factor in 2021. With an impressive spring, Reeves could also push the Padres into making a decision on the roster. There is a lot to like with his arm and upside.
James was born and raised in America’s Finest City. He is a passionate baseball fan with even more passion towards his hometown Padres. Editor-In-Chief of EastVillageTimes.com. Always striving to bring you the highest quality in San Diego Sports News. Original content, with original ideas, that’s our motto. Enjoy.