The Boston Red Sox have clear objectives to reduce payroll and upgrade their bullpen. Making a trade with the San Diego Padres could be the solution for both of these goals if they put Kirby Yates on the market.
Yates is among the top closers in baseball. He led the majors with 41 saves while posting a microscopic 1.19 ERA and 0.89 WHIP. His 14.98 K/9 ranked fifth among relievers and he was among the best at limiting free passes with a 1.93 BB/9. Yates also led all NL relievers with 3.4 WAR, per FanGraphs.