Padres acquire Smith in trade for Gregerson
Source: #Padres acquire OF Seth Smith from Athletics&src=hash">#Athletics.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) December 3, 2013Sources tell me Seth Smith is being traded for Luke Gregerson from San Diego
— Chris Kusiolek (@Oak_AllDay) December 3, 2013Well now, that's some news there. Luke Gregerson is no longer a Padre.
San Diego Padres have traded Gregerson to the Oakland A's for left handed outfielder Seth Smith. We've been hearing that the Padres were in the market for a lefty batter and reliever and with this trade, the Padres may have taken care of half that.
Smith has spent time with the Colorado Rockies before spending the last two seasons with Oakland. In 2013, Smith batted .253 while hitting 8 home runs in 369 at-bats. In the 4 seasons prior to that, Smith averaged about 15 homers per season.
Gregerson has been a Padre since 2009 when he was the PTBNL in the deal that sent Khalil Greene to the St. Louis Cardinals. In Gregerson's 5 years as a Padre, he put up incredible numbers including a career 2.88 ERA and 132 Holds over 363 appearances with his best season coming in 2010 in which he made 80 appearances and racked up 40 holds. In 2013, Gregerson put together a nice season with a 2.71 ERA and recorded 25 holds.
Trading away Gregerson may not make a big impact on the pitching staff due to the arms available. Nick Vincent has show that he can carry the load and take over at Gregerson's former spot on the staff as the set-up man. Also, the Padres are interested in adding a left handed reliever so, they may not be done yet.
For now, farewell Luke and welcome to San Diego, Seth.
#Padres acquire OF Seth Smith from @Athletics for RHP Luke Gregerson. More to come on @Padres. pic.twitter.com/TzgaJIg1IS
— San Diego Padres (@Padres) December 3, 2013