MLB NEWS

A’s acquire Zobrist, Escobar from Rays

The Sports Xchange

January 10, 2015 at 2:25 pm.

The Oakland Athletics acquired infielder Ben Zobrist and shortstop Yunel Escobar from the Tampa Bay Rays for catcher John Jaso and two prospects, according to reports Saturday.

The Rays also received shortstop Daniel Robertson and outfielder Boog Powell, the San Francisco Chronicle reported.

Zobrist, 33, has spent his entire nine-year career with the Rays, playing positions at second base, shortstop and right field. The two-time All-Star batted .272 with 10 home runs and 52 RBIs last season. Zobrist, a switch hitter, is entering the final year of his contract, and is due $7.5 million next season.

Escobar, in his second season with Tampa Bay and eighth in the majors, batted .258 with seven home runs and 39 RBIs. Escobar, 32, is expected to earn $5 million this season and $7 million in 2016, with a club option for 2017 at $7 million with a $1 million buyout.

Jaso appeared in 99 games last season for Oakland, batting .264 with nine home runs and 40 RBIs.

Robertson, 20, was a first-round draft selection of the A’s in 2012 and batted .310 with 15 homers at Class A Stockton last season.

Powell batted .343 while splitting last season between Stockton and Class A Beloit. He is not related to former Baltimore Orioles slugger Boog Powell.

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