PADS GET 3B MIDDLEBROOKS FOR C HANIGAN
The San Diego Padres acquired third baseman Will Middlebrooks from the Boston Red Sox for catcher Ryan Hanigan.
What does it give the San Diego Padres
San Diego's makeover is almost complete now that they've acquired Middlebrooks from Boston to take over at the hot corner. He's a run producer with power who doesn't draw enough walks and is a bit too much of a free swinger. That said, he should be given every opportunity to become the Padres' new everyday third baseman. Hanigan was recently acquired from Tampa Bay in a massive swap, but the Pads already had acquired {P Derek Norris} from Oakland and {P Tim Federowicz} from the Dodgers in previous deals, so the plan was likely to ship Hanigan to another team all along.
What does it give the Boston Red Sox
In Hanigan, the Red Sox get a very solid defensive catcher and game-caller. He adds some leadership behind the plate, where Boston is otherwise quite young and somewhat raw (with {P Christian Vazquez}, {P Dan Butler} and {P Blake Swihart} behind Hanigan on the depth chart). Hanigan may split time with Vazquez in 2015, and neither is expected to provide much offense. Swihart is the offensive catcher of the future for the BoSox, but he is still a year or two away. After Boston signed veteran switch-hitter {P Pablo Sandoval} to play third base, Middlebrooks became expendable.
Fantasy impact
This is a decent move for Middlebrooks, who was ticketed to the bench this season had he remained with the Red Sox. However, he will not have the same success in the National League in a notorious pitchers' park (PETCO PARK). As for Hanigan, he's not really a big fantasy catcher so all this does is slow down Swihart's arrival to the big leagues.
