Padres GM A.J. Preller has set such a furious trading pace that it's almost impossible to keep up with him. I should really recap what he's done in the last 2 days but it's just too much. Basically he's acquired every outfielder and catcher on the trading blocks. Preller and company are now looking to fill some holes in the left side of his infield. He's doing that by slapping a new coat of paint and flipping newly acquired C Ryan Hanigan to the Boston Red Sox for 3B Will Middlebrooks.
Middlebrooks was once a prized prospect of the Red Sox organization but he has fallen out of favor since the 2012 season. Middlebrooks had back-to-back disappointing seasons for Boston, has been blocked by the Pablo Sandoval trade and refused to play winter ball. Now he's getting a fresh start with the Team of Destiny, the San Diego Padres.
Source: Padres nearing a deal that would send Ryan Hanigan to Boston for Will Middlebrooks.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) December 19, 2014