Red Sox trade reliever to the Kansas City Royals for pitching prospect
The Red Sox swung a trade with the Royals on Saturday afternoon, sending reliever John Schreiber to Kansas City for pitching prospect David Sandlin. ESPN’s Jeff Passan was the first to report the trade on social media.
The Red Sox have been actively shopping a number of veteran relievers the last couple of weeks, including Schreiber. All-Star closer Kenley Jansen and Chris Martin have also reportedly come up in trade talks this offseason.
The 29-year-old reliever spent the last three seasons with Boston after he was claimed off waivers from the Tigers. In 2021, he pitched in one game, the following season, Schreiber was one of the top relievers in the Red Sox bullpen.
In 2022, he appeared in 64 games with the Red Sox, posting a 2.22 ERA with a WHIP of 0.985, striking out 74 in 65 innings.
Schreiber battled injuries last year, pitching in 46 games, posting a 2-1 record with a 3.86 ERA, two starts as an opener, with 53 strikeouts to 25 walks over 46 2/3 innings.
Coming into camp, Schreiber told the Boston Globe that he was “fully healthy.”
“I'm fully healthy. I wanted to get down here early and get started building up,” Schreiber said in Fort Myers.
Schreiber was signed for 2024 at $1.175 million, having avoided arbitration with the club in January. He will now head to the Royals where he will look to return to his 2022 form.
In exchange for Schreiber, Boston acquired Sandlin, who offers the system a high-end pitching prospect. The Royals selected Sandlin in the 11th round out of the University of Oklahoma in 2022.
Last year was Sandlin’s first full season in professional baseball. He went 4-2 with a 3.51 ERA in 14 starts between Low-A and High-A within the Royals system. Sandlin is considered a power arm, he struck out 79 batters in 2023 while walking just 13 in 12 starts for Low-A Columbia.
The Royals promoted Sandlin to High-A Quad Cities on June 23 and but a lat injury ended his season.
The righty offers a four-pitch mix, relying heavily on his mid-90s fastball that can touch 97 mph and has above-average ride, according to Baseball America. Sandlin features a low-80s curveball, mid-80s slider and a changeup. His fastball and slider are his two best pitches.
“Sandlin is a sleeper who could take a jump forward in 2024 if he improves the rest of his arsenal,” wrote Baseball America.
