On February 17, the Kansas City Royals traded pitching prospect David Sandlin to the Boston Red Sox in exchange for relief pitcher John Schreiber. Sandlin, who turned 23 in the intervening time between the trade and this piece, had pitched well in 12 A-ball starts last year and was a potential breakout candidate. Schreiber, who turns 30 in March, is an established bullpen arm who is under team control for three more years.
The trade itself was totally reasonable. Relief pitchers aren’t the most valuable thing on the market, and Schreiber is solid moreso than elite.