In a three-team trade announced by Jon Heyman of CBS Sports, the Oakland Athletics came up huge in this offseason’s first large trade.
And to think, it isn’t even technically the offseason yet.
Here are the details: The Oakland A’s received outfielder Chris Young from the Arizona Diamondbacks in exchange for converted-second baseman Cliff Pennington and prospect Yordy Cabrera. The D-Backs then sent Cabrera to the Miami Marlins for closer Heath Bell.
Arizona gets a pitcher and an infielder, Miami a prospect and Oakland an outfielder.
The trade is arguably a fantastic move for all three organizations. Each team fills a particular need, and at what is hoped to be a low cost. But it’s the ages, talent and worth of all four men involved that places the A’s in the winner’s circle of this trade.
Here are four reasons for that designation.