With spring training just more than a week away, the A’s swung a trade to acquire outfielder Khris Davis from the Milwaukee Brewers on Friday.
They sent two prospects – highly touted catcher Jacob Nottingham and right-hander Bubby Derby – to the Brewers. To clear a spot on the 40-man roster, Oakland designated for assignment left-hander Sean Nolin, who was slated to be a starting rotation contender.
[STIGLICH: Vogt: 'Not even a thought' he won't be ready Opening Day]
Davis, 28, hit .247 with 27 home runs and 66 RBI last season, playing primarily left field. With Coco Crisp’s availability an unknown due to chronic neck injuries, Davis would appear primed to see significant time in left field. Mark Canha, who played first and left field last season, also is a candidate in left. But interestingly, both Davis and Canha are right-handed hitters who hit right-handed pitching better than left last season.
The playing rotation will sort itself out during spring training. But Friday’s trade marks a significant move for the A’s, who largely had remained quiet since the holidays. Davis is under team control through the 2019 season and doesn’t become eligible for arbitration until next winter, a factor that surely was attractive to the A’s.
[STIGLICH: Six A's prospects to watch during spring training]
Oakland has 10 days to trade, release or send Nolin to the minors should he clear waivers.
