Billy Beane continues to make moves even with the departures of Josh Donaldson, Jeff Samardzija, Brandon Moss, and Derek Norris. Just when you think the Oakland Athletics aren’t going to contend, he strikes again and fixes the middle of his infield with one trade.
Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle first reported that Oakland and Tampa Bay were on the verge of an agreement that will send Ben Zobrist and Yunel Escobar to the A’s. Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports reported that the Rays would receive John Jaso and prospect Daniel Robertson.
Prospect outfielder Herschel Mack Powell, known as Boog Powell, will also be headed to the Rays. With the trade sending Jaso to the Rays, the opportunity of getting more playing time at the catching position for Stephen Vogt and offseason addition Josh Phegley.
Zobrist, 33, has spent his entire nine-year career with the Rays and has significant playing time at several positions, including second base, shortstop and right field. The two-time All-Star batted .272/.354/.395 with 10 home runs and 52 RBIs last season. He’s due to make $7.5 million in 2015 before hitting free agency and could be a trade chip for Oakland if they fall out of the AL West playoff race.
Escobar, who took a huge step back last year, batted .258/.324/.340 with seven homers last season, his second with Tampa Bay and his eighth in the majors. He’s owed $5 million in 2015 and $7 million in 2016 while his contract includes a $7 million club option or $1 million buyout for 2017.
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Moving Ben Zobrist and Yunel Escobar clears the way for Asdrubal Cabrera and Nick Franklin to play everyday in the middle infield for the Rays. Speaking of Cabrera, Tampa Bay has also announced that it has finalized its one-year, $7.5 million deal with him that was first reported on December 30th. Why the delay? Because the Zobrist trade freed up a 40-man roster spot for the Rays and alleviated the need to designate a player for assignment.
Jaso appeared in 99 games last season for Oakland, batting .264/.337/.430 with nine homers and 40 RBIs. The catcher goes back to Tampa Bay, where he started his career and played three seasons with the club. He was drafted by the Rays in the 12th round of the 2003 draft.
Robertson, 20, was a first-round draft selection of the Athletics in 2012 and batted .310 with 15 homers at Class A Stockton last season. Powell, who is not related to former Baltimore Orioles legend Boog Powell, batted .343 while splitting last season between Stockton and Class A Beloit. Powell was suspended 50 games last season after testing positive for an amphetamine.