San Diego Padres continue to stay busy on the trade market despite making four deals over the weekend. The organization announced on Monday that they have acquired pitcher Mike Clevinger alongside outfielder Greg Allen and a player to be named later from Cleveland Indians.
In return, the Indians received veteran catcher Austin Hedges and a mix of young talents which includes right-hander Cal Quantrill, outfielder Josh Naylor, and three minors prospects.
Cleveland trading Clevinger didn’t come as a surprise considering his relationship with the team turned sour after he and Zach Plesac broke the safety and health protocols put in place by the team due to the coronavirus pandemic. The 29-year-old pitcher played four games in 2020 and had a 1-1 record with a 3.18 ERA and 21 strikeouts.
The move will bring Padres a reliable starter as the team is currently boosting a 21-15 record and is headed to their first playoff appearance since 2006. San Diego already has an impressive rotation with Chris Paddack and Dinelson Lamet, so adding Mike Clevinger should boost their pitching core even more.
Clevinger spent his entire career in Cleveland and has 88 starts in the last five years. He is 42-22 since MLB debut and has a career 3.20 ERA with 584 strikeouts.
Indians shouldn’t notice the absence of Clevinger that much as All-Star Shane Bieber, right-hander Aaron Civale, and rookie Triston McKenzie showed they are more than capable carrying the load for the team.
