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Red Sox trade for Brad Ziegler after Craig Kimbrel goes on DL

By Ted Fleming

Jun 23, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks relief pitcher Brad Ziegler (29) pitches in the ninth inning against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field. The Diamondbacks won 7-6. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 23, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks relief pitcher Brad Ziegler (29) pitches in the ninth inning against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field. The Diamondbacks won 7-6. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports /
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With Craig Kimbrel on the disabled list for 3-6 weeks, the Boston Red Sox made a trade for Brad Ziegler from the Arizona Diamondbacks.

The Boston Red Sox wasted little time in finding a replacement for closer Craig Kimbrel as they announced today that they have acquired RHP Brad Ziegler from the Arizona Diamondbacks for a pair of minor leaguers, RHP Jose Almonte and INF Luis Alejandro Basabe. Kimbrel is expected to miss 3-6 weeks as he will have surgery to repair cartilage in left knee.

Ziegler, who was in his sixth season with Arizona, was 2-3 with a 2.82 ERA and 1.46 WHIP, converting 18 of 20 save opportunities over 36 appearances. The 36-year-old has been especially good on the road posting a 0.89 ERA while notching 11 of those saves away from Chase Field.

A former 20th round pick in the 2003 draft by the Phillies, Ziegler was released by the organization before ever pitching in the majors. His contract was purchased by the Athletics from Schaumburg Boomers of the independent Northern League the following year and made his major league debut with Oakland in 2008 nailing down 11 saves finishing eighth in the Rookie of the Year balloting. That season he would set a major league mark for the most consecutive scoreless innings without allowing a run in his first 39.0 innings.

The A’s would send him to the Diamondbacks in 2011 for Brandon Allen and Jordan Norberto and would be a mainstay in their bullpen setting club marks for appearances (348), single season relief ERA (1.85 in 2015) and save percentage (93.8, 30-for-32, 2015).

The Pratt, KS native has a lifetime mark of 34-24 with a 2.49 ERA in 571 games with a solid 2.49 ERA and 1.22 WHIP. He is in the final year of a 3-year, $15M contract.

In order for Boston to add him to their 40-man roster, C/INF Blake Swihart was moved to the 60-day disabled list.

Almonte is a 20-year old from the Dominican Republic who was signed as an international free agent in 2012. He was with the Red Sox Class-A Greenville Drive at the time of the trade with a 2-2 record and 3.91 ERA in his fourth professional season. In 2015 with the short-season Single-A Lowell Spinners he would lead the team in innings (65.2) and strikeouts (64) finishing sixth in the Boston organization in ERA (3.43)

The 19-year old Basabe was also an international free-agent signing in 2012. A native of Venezuela, he began his pro career at the age of 16 with the Red Sox Dominican League club and since then has a .255/.384/.361 slash line with five homers and 51 RBI. Basabe has stolen 40 bases, including 14 this season and despite drawing 119 walks in 179 games, he also struck out 164 times. Primarily a second baseman, he has also seen time at shortstop.

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