Team Captain Bryson Stott dealt to Detroit

Team captain Bryson Stott dealt away to Detroit

6.1.24

Surprising trades had apparently become the norm around the Philadelphia Athletics over the couple of years. But it still shook the clubhouse a bit when news came down seemingly out of the blue that second baseman Bryson Stott had been dealt away.

In a three-way deal involving Detroit and Alabama, Stott was sent to the Drillers along with reliever Blake Treinen and the club's seventh round Majors Draft pick in 2026. Also, minor league pitcher Ryan Bergert was dealt to the Farmers along with the club's fifth round pick in that 2026 Majors Draft.

Byron Buxton, who was with the A's as the team's starting center fielder back in 2016, returns to the organization. But for Athletics GM Matt Veasey, the longer term prize coming from Detroit is pitching prospect Dylan Lesko. The A's also add Cleveland's first round Minors Draft pick in 2026 from Detroit as well as the Drillers' second round Majors Draft choice that year, and will get Alabama's seventh round 2026 Majors Draft selection.

"While we hated to let Bryson go, there were a number of factors that led to us making this deal," said Veasey.

"The most important is Dylan Lesko. He's a 20-year-old right-hander who our scouts feel has significant upside. We're also restocking our future Minors Draft presence with another future first rounder. And Buxton will immediately step into our starting lineup. Health is always the main factor with Byron. We hope to keep him healthy, and if we can, believe he will be an impact presence in our lineup right now."

"The other main factor in making this deal was the significant emergence of Colt Keith," said the GM. "Colt has been our hottest hitter over the last month. We feel that after spending the first couple of months of the season as the primary Designated Hitter, he is ready to take over the second base role permanently."

Stott was the Athletics Jimmy Foxx Award winner as the club's Offensive Player of the Year last season. He was voted by his teammates as the new team captain just prior to the start of this season. "I don't think you replace that kind of locker room leadership very easily," said first baseman Spencer Torkelson. "It will be up to a number of us to step up and keep things positive as we continue to grow as a team."