San Diego Padres make smart move by signing Allen Craig

The San Diego Padres have made an interesting move in signing Allen Caig to a minor league contract.

As the San Diego Padres look to rebuild, they will be looking for a few low cost players that could prove to be bargains. The players who once showed promise or had success, but for whatever reason, have struggled recently. The Padres have made such a low risk, high reward signing by inking Allen Craig to a minor league contract with an invitation to Spring Training.

There had been a time when Craig appeared to be heading for an excellent career. Through 2013, he had posted a .306/.358/.492 batting line, hitting 86 doubles and 50 homers. Craig had earned a few votes on the MVP ballot, and had just made his first All Star Game. The sky was the limit for the Cardinals utility man as he became a key part of the lineup.

His career came crashing to a halt from that point. He started the season with the Cardinals, but struggled from the start. Eventually, with St. Louis looking for help in the rotation, Craig was sent to the Red Sox along with Joe Kelly for John Lackey. The hope was that a change of scenery would lead to Craig becoming the player he had been just a short time before.

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Instead, his tenure with the Red Sox was a disaster. He played only 65 games at the major league level with Boston, producing a horrendous .139/.236/.197 batting line, hitting two home runs and four doubles. His production invoked the memory of players like Rafael Belliard and Bill Bergen than the All Star he had been.

He had been banished to the minors, failing to produce even there. Craig struggled in AAA, dealing with injuries and ineffectiveness before being released on June 30, 2017. He was unable to locate another opportunity, languishing in free agency before signing with San Diego.

It is certainly an interesting signing. Obviously, the Padres will not be expecting much from Craig going forward, but there is the chance that a different environment will allow him to return to some semblance of his former self. If so, then the Padres have an incredible bargain. Otherwise, Craig can serve as a depth piece in the minors, potentially working his way back to form.

Next: Padres sign Hand to extension

The San Diego Padres made an interesting signing by inking Allen Craig to a minor league contract. He may not have anything left, but there is no harm in finding out.