The Josh Donaldson trade to the Blue Jays was a shocker. (Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports)
Oakland A’s general manager Billy Beane explained Friday’s trade that sent third baseman Josh Donaldson to the Toronto Blue Jays for four players, saying the team is not rebuilding but reloading.
Beane said the team needed to make a move after finishing behind the Los Angeles Angels in the American League West, while barely holding off the Seattle Mariners for a playoff spot and then falling to the Kansas City Royals in the AL wild card game.
“What we thought we had to do was do something that wasn’t timid,” Beane said.
Donaldson, also a premier defensive player, batted .255 with 29 home runs and 98 RBIs last season.
The Blue Jays sent third baseman Bret Lawrie, pitching prospects Sean Nolin and Kendall Graveman and Single-A shortstop Franklin Barreto to Oakland.
The A’s may not be done dealing. They are discussing a deal with the Atlanta Braves that would send catcher/outfielder Evan Gattis and outfielder Justin Upton to Oakland, the Bay Area News Group reported. The A’s would also reportedly move starting pitcher Jeff Samardzija in a potential deal.
Upton and Samardzija are under team control for only one more season, whereas Gattis will not be arbitration-eligible until after next season.
Fox Sports also reported that the A’s are looking to make at least one more significant trade. Oakland is reportedly likely to trade outfielder Brandon Moss, outfielder Josh Reddick or catcher John Jaso.
