A's Bolster Lineup With Pair of Early Deals

Post date: Apr 24, 2013 5:51:29 PM

Lefty starting pitcher Mike Minor, 1st baseman Freddie Freeman bring new talent to

the A's as the club moves through the opening month of 2013

Having grown increasingly frustrated with the lack of production from the right-side infielders, Eric Hosmer and Dustin Ackley, dating back through the entirety of last season, the A's management showed that it was not going to wait around to watch a repeat. On April 11th, the A's sent Hosmer and highly regarded prospect outfielder Nick Castellanos to Omaha in exchange for Freddie Freeman and Omar Infante. In the deal the A's also picked up a pair of 1st round Minors Draft picks this coming July, including the #4 overall selection, and gave up a 2nd round pick.

In one swoop, the club swapped out the talented but enigmatic Hosmer for Freeman, who has already shown himself a ready-for-prime time slugger. Both players are just 23 years of age, with Freeman turning 24 in September. At the time of the deal, Freeman was on the DL with a strained oblique, but was due back for the Week #4 game in Horsham. Meanwhile, Infante will push the young Ackley, who now clearly finds himself on the hot seat with the club having a viable alternative, and having shown it's patience is limited.

Then just 9 days later, the A's engaged in a 3-way trade among themselves, Las Vegas, and Omaha in which they brought in 25-year old lefty starting pitcher Mike Minor, another prime piece who perfectly slots into the starting rotation. The cost was prohibitive, as the club had to part with a pair of it's top pitching prospects, sending Kevin Gausman to Vegas and Archie Bradley to Omaha in the swap. They also picked up a 2014 Minors Draft pick in the deal.

GM Matt Veasey explained the moves: "We had seen enough with the right-side infield situation, and I just felt like it was time to make a move before we got too far along. We love Freeman's power, we think it's legit and will play well at Liberty Bell Park. With his pop, talent and age, Freddie will fit right into our group." Manager Buck Showalter was asked about his rotation plans with his new addition: "Minor is an excellent kid. We've been watching him for a couple years, and we checked in on him last year but couldn't get anything done. Now with him, Cole, Andy and C.J., we can really alternate lefties and righties in our rotation almost every week."

The A's may not be done, as there have been rumblings of a few small deals in the works, and possibly even another blockbuster. The club made a couple of those smaller moves by dealing away roster depth in pitchers Mark Rogers and James Russell in exchange for a pair of 3rd round picks in the upcoming Minors Draft. They also signed relievers Edward Mujica and Heath Bell, while releasing outfielder Gerado Parra.