The A’s remain one of the busier teams on the trade market, sending left-hander Drew Pomeranz and minor league pitcher Jose Torres to San Diego for first baseman Yonder Alonso and reliever Marc Rzepczynski.
Oakland will also send the Padres a player to be named later.
In Alonso, the A’s get a left-handed hitter who figures to split time with Mark Canha at first base. That points to Canha seeing some of his innings in left field against right-handers, particularly if Coco Crisp isn’t healthy enough to play out there every day. Also, Alonso’s addition all but guarantees that first baseman Ike Davis will be non-tendered later today, as the A’s face a decision whether to tender contracts to all of their players eligible for arbitration.
The exchange of Pomeranz and the 30-year-old Rzepczynski is a swap of lefty relievers. Rzepczynski posted a 5.66 ERA in 72 big league appearances last season, though his periperhal numbers suggest he may have been a bit better than that ERA shows. Dealing Pomeranz indicates that the A’s feel they’ve got enough rotation depth – or will by the start of the season – that he isn’t needed as a starting option.
Alonso, who turns 29 in April, was considered one of the game’s better prospects when drafted No. 7 overall by the Reds in 2008. He’s never developed the power or run production generally preferred at first base – he notched his career high with nine homers and 62 RBI in 2012 with San Diego. He’s a .273 career hitter since debuting in 2010.
Rzepczynski is projected to earn $3 million in arbitration and Alonso $2.5 million, as predicted by mlbtraderumors.com.
The A’s are still widely expected to deal Brett Lawrie or fellow infielder Danny Valencia in light of last week’s trade for Jed Lowrie.
