Padres News: Drew Pomeranz Dealt to Red Sox
A.J. Preller was surely going to make some moves and that is exactly what he has done. Drew Pomeranz was dealt on Thursday to the Boston Red Sox, only two days after the left-handed pitcher participated in the MLB All-Star game. A sad thing for Padres fans, but the return for Pomeranz was well worth it. Early indications are that the deal was straight up for RHP Anderson Espinoza.
The Padres acquired Anderson Espinoza in the deal. The 18-year-old Venezuelan was signed during the 2014-15 international signing period for $1.8 million dollars. He made his debut last season and advanced to low A-Ball at the age of 17. He has outstanding mechanics and mound presence for a teenager.
Espinoza has a triple-digit fastball and a plus change to go with a nasty curveball. He has the makings of a future #1 pitcher. In fact he was ranked as MLB’s #34 prospect and will immediately slide in as the Padres top propsect ahead of Manuel Margot, Hunter Renfroe and Javier Guerra. His acquisition is huge for the future of the Padres team.
Sources: The Padres have agreed to trade Drew Pomeranz to the Red Sox. https://t.co/eQeG6pXLLx
— Dennis Lin (@sdutdennislin) July 14, 2016
The Red Sox are going for it. They had no real need to take on another starting pitcher, but they clearly want to make a run in David Ortiz‘s final year. Giving up a prospect like Espinoza for Pomeranz is a huge risk. Pomeranz was an obscure lefty prior to this season and he is very capable of regressing. Especially if you factor he hasn’t thrown more innings in a season than he has right now.
Preller is certainly unafraid to make moves. Dealing James Shields, Fernando Rodney and Drew Pomeranz several weeks before the deadline means that he has an agenda. IF a team satisfies his needs in a trade, he pulls the trigger. There is no messing around in Preller when it comes to constructing this ball club. That is a great thing.
Take a look at this GIF on this kid. Espinoza is something very special. Before you go and sound off about the Padres giving away players, think about the circumstances. Pomeranz was pitching over his head and was essentially acquired for Yonder Alonso. The Padres successful years are a few years away. Espinoza will be at the heart of that success. He will join a young staff that includes Chris Paddack, Logan Allen, Jacob Nix, Austin Smith, Enyel De Los Santos and Jean Cosme. The 18-20 year old pitching staff has the future makings of a modern-day Mets staff. It will be fun to watch.
ANDERSON ESPINOZA IS 18 AND CAN DO THIS AND YOU TRADE HIM FOR A PITCHER WHO HAS BEEN GOOD FOR THREE MONTHS????pic.twitter.com/yguH8tvDtD
— Joon Lee (@iamjoonlee) July 14, 2016
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.
Their, I meant, their biggest need
“They had no real need to take on another starting pitcher”. Sorry, bud, but that was there biggest need. The Padres got a great prospect, but, only time will tell who got the better of this deal.