MIAMI — Of the two outfielders the Braves acquired from the Padres in Sunday’s Craig Kimbrel trade, Cameron Maybin took an overnight flight and arrived in plenty of time for opening day, while Carlos Quentin was told not to bother.
As expected, Quentin, 32, was designated for assignment and notified after Sunday night’s trade that there was no need to make the flight to Miami from California. The Braves hope that he draws trade interest from an American League club, but if not they’ll release him and pay his $8 million salary.
Quentin hit .177 with four homers and a .599 OPS in 155 plate appearances for the Padres last season, and the Braves agreed to take him as part of the deal after the Padres took on all of the more than $43 millions still owed Melvin Upton Jr., the center fielder whose burdensome contract was the impetus for the six-player deal that included two Padres prospects.
