Carlos Quentin starts 2012 with a new team:

The Padres just announced that they have acquired outfielder Carlos Quentin from the White Sox for prospect right-hander Simon Castro and prospect left-hander Pedro Hernandez.

Quentin will be reunited with Josh Byrnes, who traded him to the White Sox for Chris Carter in December of 2007 when he was general manager of the Diamondbacks.

Quentin posted a breakout season at age 25, but did not follow through during the rest of his peak years as injuries slowed him. Still, he does a good job of getting on base and can hit for power, skills that will help any team.

Castro is an interesting prospect, as he pitched well for the Padres AAA team when it was in Portland, not so well when it played in Tucson. Looking at his career as a whole, he’s worth the risk for the White Sox. Hernandez is a reliever with great minor league K and BB numbers. Since the White Sox seem to be in rebuilding mode, this looks like a good deal for both clubs.