Grading each of the San Diego Padres' major trade deadline moves

3) Grading the San Diego Padres' trade for Scott Barlow

The last piece of A.J. Preller's trade deadline haul was Kansas City Royals' closer Scott Barlow.

Barlow was having a rough season in Kansas City prior to his arrival in San Diego, posting an unsightly 5.35 ERA in 38 appearances, though it's worth noting he also saved 13 games for an awful Royals team and struck out 47 batters across 38.2 innings of work. His 3.64 FIP also indicates bad luck and a chance for positive regression with a change of scenery.

The most signifcant aspect of the Padres' trade for Barlow is the team control element, as the 30-year-old isn't a free agent until after next season. This gives San Diego another late-inning bullpen option both this year and next year.

Going back to Kansas City are minor league pitching prospects Jesus Rios and Henry Williams, neither of whom ranked highly in the Padres' farm system.

Because of Barlow's results so far, we have to bump this letter grade down a bit. However, the low price point for his acquisition does work in San Diego's favor.

Grade: B-

OVERALL GRADE: B