*Photo from MLB Trade Rumors*
This is the spring of trades. The Kansas City Royals have acquired RHP John Schreiber from the Boston Red Sox in exchange for RHP David Sandlin, according to ESPN's Buster Olney. Both teams have confirmed the trade.
Kansas City GM JJ Picollo said of getting Schreiber that "We need a deep bullpen. We’re going to need guys in the sixth and seventh inning. John has done that. He’s pitched in higher-leverage situations in the eighth. He’s really tough on right-handed hitters. So the move wasn’t just to be transactional. It was because it makes sense for our big league team right now and the next couple of years."
Schreiber is arbitration eligible through 2026 and gives the Royals bullpen a dependable high leverage reliever, something they had been seeking all offseason. He'll be a boon for a Royals bullpen that was tied for second worst in the league in fWAR in 2023.
Last season was Schreiber's 3rd year in the Red Sox organization. He ended the year with a 3.86 ERA, 4.52 FIP, and 1.414 WHIP, averaging 4.8 walks per 9 innings and 10.2 strikeouts per 9 while recording one save in 46 2/3 innings, appearing in 46 games.
Schreiber said of leaving the Red Sox that "I have nothing but good things to say about this organization. Before they claimed me off waivers, I was in one of my darkest places mentally. They gave me a chance to find myself again and I tried to make the most of it when I came over here. They gave me an opportunity to succeed. I can't thank them enough for what they've done for me."
In return, the Red Sox get Sandlin, a starting pitcher who was ranked 19th overall in the Royals farm system according to MLB Pipeline. Sandlin brings an upper 90s velocity on his fastball while still being relatively new to pro ball as a draft pick by the Royals in 2022.
Last season was Sandlin's first full year in the minor leagues despite suffering a season ending oblique injury in July. Before getting hurt, he posted a 3.51 ERA and 1.215 WHIP with 87 strikeouts in 66 2/3 innings over 14 starts, splitting time between Low A Columbia and High A Quad Cities.
Boston chief baseball officer Craig Breslow said of the trade that "So, we obviously spoke to our amateur group and they had some background with Sandlin, they had some history with him. Loved the stuff, loved the makeup, and we’ve seen the stuff take a pretty significant step forward. Also, any time you make these trades, you have to recognize that we're trading a really talented pitcher in Schreiber over there, and that was difficult, and certainly wasn’t an easy decision. But my job is to do what is best for the organization, and I think this was a place to do that."
With the Royals, Schreiber joins Will Smith, Nick Anderson, Michael Wacha, Hunter Renfroe, Chris Stratton, and Seth Lugo as offseason additions. Sandlin will likely begin the season with High A Greenville in the Red Sox organization.
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