MLB: 5 players who will be traded by the July 31 deadline

Closer Craig Kimbrel, San Diego Padres

When A.J. Preller made the move on the season’s eve to acquire multiple time All-Star closer Craig Kimbrel from the Atlanta Braves, it was deemed the final move of a rolling dervish of offseason moves. And it was supposed to be the final piece for the San Diego Padres to become legitimate contenders in the National League. Instead, ninth-year manager Bud Black was fired on Monday, in large part because the odd sum of parts Preller had put together stumbled out of the gates.

Unlike the Oakland Athletics, the Padres’ record is actually rather synced up with their expected win-loss record at 32-35. In other words, the Padres have not been victims of bad luck, at least not the kind the A’s have had this year. They’ve had some injuries. More importantly, though, they haven’t caught the ball well – which was to be expected.

Kimbrel has been outstanding in his 28 outings for San Diego, racking up 16 saves and a gaudy 13.15 strikeouts per nine innings.

Preller and the Padres are paying a lot of money to a lot of underperforming players, though Kimbrel is not one of them. Given his performance thus far, Kimbrel is probably most deserving of more dollars his way. And still, the Padres are not going to be the team to give him that money.

At least reason has it they won’t be. And they shouldn’t. There is a growing philosophy in baseball that says bullpens can be put together almost on the fly year-by-year.

By that rule, having a stud closer is not a top priority. A team only needs two or three guys able to perform in the role, and from there it is the manager’s job to pitch the right guy at the right time. The Padres have solid arms in their bullpen aside from Kimbrel, and going forward might benefit from such a diversified philosophy.

The problem for Preller will be finding a trade partner. Of course many teams will desire Kimbrel on the surface. But most of the teams who seem to be in need of a closer are forward thinking franchises who have moved beyond thinking one guy must fill the closer’s role. Thusly Kimbrel’s value is lessened.

Preller may have to sell low to get rid of Kimbrel. But he should do so. It’s better to get something back for him when he is an unnecessary piece on the current Padres squad.

It should of course be noted, similar to Gray, Kimbrel is under contract for the next four seasons (including this one).

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