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Report: Braves to deal Melvin Upton, Craig Kimbrel to Padres

By Evan Massey

Atlanta Braves center fielder B.J. Upton (2) reacts after the final out during their loss to the Washington Nationals at Turner Field. The Nationals won 4-2. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports
Atlanta Braves center fielder B.J. Upton (2) reacts after the final out during their loss to the Washington Nationals at Turner Field. The Nationals won 4-2. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Atlanta Braves are reportedly trading both Melvin Upton and Craig Kimbrel to the San Diego Padres in exchange for Cameron Maybin and Carlos Quentin.

The Major League Baseball season officially gets underway this evening with the Chicago Cubs hosting the St. Louis Cardinals, and baseball fans around the world are getting extremely excited. Opening Day is one of the best traditions in the world of sports, and it is right around the corner for every fan of every team.

That being said, the Atlanta Braves and San Diego Padres are giving baseball fans another reason for excitement this evening by pulling off a fairly big trade. Atlanta has agreed to send Craig Kimbrel and Melvin Upton to the Padres in exchange for Carlos Quentin, Cameron Maybin, Matt Wisler, Jordan Paroubeck and the 41st pick in the MLB Draft.

Needless to say, this is an intriguing trade to look at on the outside. San Diego also paired B.J. Upton with his brother Justin, who was also acquired from the Braves by the Padres this past offseason. Atlanta has gone on a fire sale since the end of last season, and it is expected to be a very tough season for them in 2015.

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During the 2014 season with the Braves, Upton ended up recording a .208 batting average to go along with 12 home runs and 35 RBI’s. It was a very disappointing year to say the least, and it will be interesting to see if he can turn that around this year with the Padres. Perhaps a change of scenery is what he needed to get himself back on track.

Kimbrel is the biggest part of this deal, and will be a huge pickup for the Braves’ bullpen. He pitched in 61.2 innings last year with the Braves and racked up a 1.61 ERA to go along with 95 strikeouts.

Atlanta is getting back Quentin, who finished last season with a .177 batting average, four home runs and 17 RBI’s. Maybin on the other hand had a .235 batting average, one home run and 15 RBI’s. The other pieces are all prospects for the future.

It will be interesting to see how the Padres make out in this deal especially. They picked up a bullpen arm which was a major need, and they were also able to bring in a potential bat off the bench. San Diego didn’t pick up pieces that will power them into the playoffs, but they did pick up much-needed depth in the deal.

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