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Interesting tweets from Fox Sports’ Ken Rosenthal on Wednesday, as he reports that the Oakland A’s and Arizona recently discussed a trade that would have sent left fielder Yoenis Cespedes to the Diamondbacks.
Rosenthal adds that the teams have cooled on the idea and are not presently considering such a deal, partly because the A’s (justifiably) would want a huge return for Cespedes. But the players mentioned by Rosenthal who were potentially going to Oakland included highly touted young lefty Tyler Skaggs and center fielder A.J. Pollock.
It appears to be a moot point now, and the A’s recent trade for outfielder Craig Gentry probably negates their desire for a player such as Pollock. But it underscores how free-thinking the A’s are being this winter with potential moves. It also jibes with what an A’s source told me a couple weeks ago, when I reported that the A’s might consider trading Cespedes in the right deal.
At any rate, a lot obviously has happened in the A’s world over the past couple of days that probably shifts the focus of what else they might be seeking. But left-hander Brett Anderson remains a very strong bet to be traded, and it seems to me Oakland could go two ways with Anderson – ask for an impact hitter who can help the team this season, or request a bundle of prospects that helps down the road.
Just because GM Billy Beane and his staff are making moves that point to “win now” does not mean they’re turning a blind eye to the farm system.
