When your small market team makes a trade, it's time to celebrate.
Padres GM Josh Byrnes pulled the trigger on the last day of the year and traded 2 minor league prospects for White Sox outfielder Carlos Quentin.
Quentin, a native San Diego product (and San Diego high school athlete of the year in 2000), is a 2 time all star coming off a season where he batted .254 with 24 hrs, 31 doubles, 77 rbi's and 53 runs scored. The right handed hitting Quentin will probably play left field and bat 4th. Jesus Guzman (who I expected to start in left), will now become a utility guy subbing in left and right field and in a platoon at first with Yonder Alonso.
Quentin is arbitration eligible and will probably make around $7 million this year and be a free agent after the season, so he'll be playing for a new contract.
The Padres traded minor league pitchers Simon Castro and Pedro Hernandez, the 16th and 17th rated prospects in their minor league system. Between this trade and the Latos deal, the Padres have added $9 million to their payroll signaling a change in philosophy and a willingness by owner Jeff Moorad to open the purse strings a little. Other good news is that in neither of these moves did they give up any of their top rated prospects, so their future looks good.
Let's pop the champagne and go get Matt Garza!
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