Padres get Kimbrel, Upton from Braves

SAN DIEGO (AP) — The San Diego Padres pulled off another blockbuster trade on the eve of opening day, acquiring All-Star closer Craig Kimbrel and outfielder Melvin Upton from the Atlanta Braves for outfielders Carlos Quentin and Cameron Maybin, plus two minor leaguers and a draft pick.

The trade announced Sunday reunites Upton with his younger brother, Justin, who was obtained by the Padres in one of several trades general manager A.J. Preller made in a dramatic December makeover. Justin Upton is San Diego’s starting left fielder. Melvin Upton was placed on the disabled list Saturday with a left foot injury.

The Upton brothers played together for two seasons in Atlanta.

Kimbrel led the NL for the second-straight year with 47 saves in 2014 after saving 50 games in 2013.

Since his first full season in 2011, Kimbrel leads all big league closers with 185 saves. He has been an All-Star each of the last four seasons

The Padres had a glut of outfielders after Preller obtained Matt Kemp, Justin Upton and Wil Myers in separate deals in December.

Quentin, due $8 million this year, has been slowed by knee injuries and never played more than 86 games in any of his three seasons with his hometown Padres.

Maybin, owed $7 million this year, also has been slowed by injuries. He was suspended for 25 games last year after testing positive for amphetamines.

The Braves also receive minor league right-hander Matt Wisler and outfielder Jordan Paroubeck, plus the 41st competitive balance draft pick.

AP source: Alabama offers job to ex-NBA coach Avery Johnson

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) — Alabama has offered its men’s basketball job to former NBA player and head coach Avery Johnson, a person familiar with the negotiations said Sunday.

The person said Johnson and Alabama are working on the details of a deal. The person spoke to The Associated Press Sunday on condition of anonymity because no announcement has been made about the coaching search.  

Alabama athletic director Bill Battle did not return a call seeking comment.

ESPN first reported the contract talks. Johnson has been an NBA analyst for the network since being fired by the Brooklyn Nets in December 2012. He played 16 years in the NBA, much of it with the San Antonio Spurs.

Johnson would replace Anthony Grant, who was fired after making only one NCAA Tournament six seasons.

This would be Johnson’s first college coaching job, but he’s led two teams in the NBA. He started as an assistant with the Dallas Mavericks after retiring in 2004 and was elevated to the head coaching job five months later.

Johnson led the Mavericks to their first NBA Finals appearance and was the NBA Coach of the Year in 2006.

Johnson arrived in New Jersey with a 194-70 record, a .735 winning percentage that was the highest in NBA history.  

He was coach during the franchise’s move to Brooklyn. Johnson went from Eastern Conference Coach of the Month in November to being fired in the following month after the Nets lost 10 of 13 games.

As a player, he was part of the Spurs’ NBA championship team in 1999. He played for five teams and had three stints with the Spurs.

His son, Avery Johnson Jr., just finished his freshman season at Texas A&M, which also plays in the Southeastern Conference.

Alabama had targeted Wichita State coach Gregg Marshall, who decided to stay put.