The Red Sox traded Middlebrooks to the Padres on Friday for catcher Ryan Hanigan, MLB.com reports. After Middlebrooks hit .288/.325/.509 with 15 homers and 54 RBI in 75 games in 2012, there seemed to be little doubt that he was the future at third base for Boston. However, his luster has faded considerably since that time, as injuries and ineffectiveness have plagued him the past two years. Still, his pop alone may be enough to give him the inside track over Yangervis Solarte for the starting job at third base next season, but everything will hinge on the health of his hand come spring.