Disclaimer: I do not claim to be an expert…on anything. I am just an A’s fan who loves talking about the A’s. So if you find yourself shaking your head at my amateur ramblings or wondering why I even bother in the first place then please move along, move along. If, however, you are like me and just love talking about the A’s then, by all means, welcome aboard!
The A's and Houston Astros made a trade today, some thoughts. I have to admit, this trade hurts. Not just from a purely baseball stand point but also the unbridled fan in me is taken aback.
The Players:
Chris Carter*- Chris has always been one of those prospects that the prospect guys either loved or thought "meh". He had the minor league numbers for a top guy but also had more than his share of K's making some wonder if he could translate any of that power into the Big Leagues. After finally getting an extended look at the major league level last year he produced an impressive batting line and showed that there may be more to come. One of the prospect guru's who thought highly of Chris was Kevin Goldstein*, formerly of the excellent Baseball Prospectus. Oh by the way, Kevin is now the Pro Scouting Coordinator of the Houston Astros, the team Chris was just traded to.
Brad Peacock- Brad was a minor league righty who never really got it going in Sacramento after some solid innings over in the Nationals' system. Poor mechanics and "pressing to hard" were the reasons given but just like Carter, there were those who thought that Brad's minor league stats would not translate well into the majors.
Max Stassi- Another Goldstein guy. Max was an up and coming catcher just beginning to make headway in the A's system after going through some shoulder problems coming out of high school. While he had early offensive struggles, he put up a solid season at Stockton for a catcher just coming off of shoulder surgery. Most prospect guys feel even if he doesn't produce much with the bat, he should make it to the majors with his defensive ability alone.
Jed Lowrie- A solid utility infielder with a solid bat. Really just a solid guy who can play a solid SS if need be. Solid!
Fernando Rodriguez- Right handed bullpen option.
What does it all mean?
It means the A's have really soured on Jemile Weeks while thinking Brandon Moss is ready to carry the load at 1st all by himself. The A's already had a crowded infield and while none are exactly All-Stars Jed Lowrie isn't enough to knock any of them off their positions. Unless of course they think Weeks won't rebound into the 2nd baseman they thought he was and are forced to put newly acquired Hiroyuki Nakajima there. Don't forget the A's still have Adam Rosales, Eric Sogard, Scott Sizemore, and the perpetual prospect, Grant Green! Maybe the A's can have a 5 man rotation at 2nd base just like starting pitching?
As for 1st base, the A's will have the opposite problem with only 29 year old journeyman Brandon Moss and Daric "Let's give him one more chance!" Barton. Moss and Carter formed an impressive lefty/righty platoon last year and now the A's lost that because both Moss and Barton bat left*.
I don't understand where this trade came from unless the A's are having serious doubts with both Carter and Weeks. To trade that much for a utility infielder and a righty bullpen guy,even as solid as Lowrie(solid!) is, makes no sense to me. I know the A's want to win now but it seems like a high price to pay for what little they have gotten in return.
*Chris Carter- For all of you who know me(thanks to both of you!) you know that I love me some Chris Carter. I have been a fan of his since his Stockton Ports days. Maybe my fandom is clouding my judgment?
*Kevin Goldstein- With Kevin's long storied relationship with the A's(you should've went to the BP event for the story) it was only a matter of time before the A's and Astros started making deals together.
*Barton bat left- You can make the argument that Barton can't bat at all.
