Big deals advance Athletics lineup talent

Post date: May 13, 2017 3:31:10 PM

The A's paid large packages to bring in new long term shortstop Trea Turner (L) and center fielder Andrew Benintendi (R)

With a pair of huge early-season trades, GM Matt Veasey hopes to have impacted the Philadelphia Athletics lineup for years to come.

Immediately following the 2017 Majors Draft, the A's general manager sent projected starting shortstop Jean Segura along with two of the organization's top position player prospects, shortstop J.P. Crawford and outfielder Mickey Moniak as well as the first overall pick in the 2017 Minors Draft to the division-rival Montreal Expos.

In exchange, the A's acquired 23-year old shortstop Trea Turner, who also qualifies for this season at both 2nd base and the outfield. Turner is a speed-burner who in addition to steals also should bring a high average, on-base percentage, and runs scored set to the A's lineup.

Then this past week, the A's put together the largest package of players and prospects in the franchise history, shipping them off to the Vancouver Cubs to again acquire a single player.

Veasey packaged perennially disappointing center fielder Byron Buxton along with a parade of prospects: outfielder Leody Taveras and pitchers Erick Fedde, Jose Berrios, Lucas Giolito and Aaron Blair. In addition, the A's sent four 1st round and three 2nd round Minors Draft picks spread over the next four years to Vancouver.

In return for that massive six player, seven picks package, the A's acquired their new center fielder in 22-year old Andrew Benintendi. Like Turner, Benintendi brings strong AVG, OBP, and runs scored ability to the lineup. The A's also believe that his power and speed will develop into at least a 20-20 player in the coming years.

With the addition of Turner and Benintendi into the lineup, the positions of shortstop and center field should be filled in the Athletics position player group for years to come.

"I'm willing to pay for a talent that I believe perfectly fits the Athletics," said Veasey in a WFBL chat interview following the Benintendi deal. "We paid a big package for Trout, it worked out. Sometimes it doesn't. You gotta do what ya gotta do. Part of it is knowing what you still have as remaining assets in minors and picks. Adding Benintendi is a big add, now and for years, we hope. We also still have lots of great assets going forward."

The A's appear in good shape this weekend based on the category breakdowns, and finishing off a victory over Horsham here would even the club mark at 2-2 with a week remaining in the first period of Divisional play.