TRADERS: Texas Oakland
CHIPS: Martin Perez, LHP, prospects Gio Gonzalez
THE RUMORS:
• The A’s would love to get a future third baseman in a deal for Gonzalez, tweets Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports. Rangers prospect Mike Olt is one possibility.
• The Rangers, who are pursuing Gonzalez and Andrew Bailey, can be expected to try to trade for Gonzalez or Matt Garza if they don’t win the bidding on Yu Darvish, tweets Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports.
• ESPN.com’s Buster Olney also reports that the Rangers are likely to pursue Gonzalez if they miss out on Darvish. He tweets that 20-year-old left-hander Martin Perez would “almost have to be” in a deal between the A’s and Rangers.
Q: What trade would you recommend?
[opinions encouraged below]
A: Assuming The Beane Team will be moving to a new stadium in San Jose in about 3 years, Mr. Beane will be in the “star starting player for package of prospects” mode,” with a wish list likely to include a LHP, 1b, OF, 3b, SS.
He will likely put the following players into the mix:
LHP: Martin Perez [#8 MLB, #2 Texas] “If Perez can maintain his peak velocity more often and command his curveball more readily, he projects as a strong number three or a number two starter. If everything really comes together, he could become a genuine rotation anchor, number one starter.” [John Sickels] Beane likes to get a younger player, who may replace the traded MLB player.
RHP: Tanner Scheppers [#4, Texas] Assuming Beane trades his closer, Bailey, he sees Scheppers as the A’s closer in 3 years, at the prime pithcer’s age, 27.
OF: Engel Beltre [#8, Texas] John Sickels says: “The 21-year-old is the epitome of the toolsy center fielder, with the potential to do everything well on the field. His defense in center is a plus, both in terms of range and arm. His outstanding speed helps him on both sides of the ball and he’ll become a more dangerous runner as he learns the nuances of that part of the game. He should hit for average and at least some power as he continues to mature.”
This would give the A’s a CF, who could lead-off and steal some bags.
3b: Mike Olt [#3, Texas] Olt perfectly fits the Beane profile for a power-hitting 3b, who may hit .270 and has a good glove and arm.
SS: Jurickson Profar [#1 Texas] The A’s do not have a pure SS, Profar fits the A’s profile: he has the ceiling of Elvis Andrus and will be 21 in three years.
1b? Beane knows Texas doesn’t have a prospect at this position on the horizon; even 3 years down the road.
NEGOTIATIONS:
Rangers’s GM, worried about Nathan’s injury history, puts veteran reliever Grant Balfour (34) on the table. Beane agrees, but wants Scheppers added to the deal.
"THE DEAL:TO TEXAS: LHP, Gio Gonzalez [SP]RHP, Grant Balfour [RP]TO OAKLAND: LHP Martin Perez 3b: Mike Olt SS: Jurickson Profar OF: Engel Beltre RHP: Tanner Scheppers"
BENEFIT TO OAKLAND:
Beane fills out his infield [with Weeks at 2b] for Opening Day in new stadium. He replaces Gonzales with prospect Perez. Adding potential closer Tanner Scheppers to replace Bailey. With Beltre he adds a potential leadoff hitter and base stealer. Dumps LHP he can no longer afford.
BENEFIT TO TEXAS:
Adding a proven LHP (a potential ace) to Lewis, Holland, and Feliz all but puts the lock on the AL West pennant. He adds to his bullpen depth with a proven veteran with no arm problems.
You got a BETTER idea? Bring it!
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