On Friday, the Toronto Blue Jays sent 24-year-old infielder Brett Lawrie and three others to the Oakland Athletics in exchange for 2014 All-Star Josh Donaldson. Jeff Passan of Yahoo Sports has the full details:
In 2014, injuries limited Lawrie to just 70 games. The former first-round pick of the Milwaukee Brewers in 2008 hit .247 with 12 home runs and 38 RBI. The 28-year-old Donaldson made the American League All-Star team last season when he hit .259 with 29 home runs and 98 RBI.
The deal seemed to shock at least one rival executive, per Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports:
Jose Bautista said goodbye to Lawrie and welcomed Donaldson via Twitter:
Both players are eligible for arbitration this season, but because of Donaldson’s production, he figures to carry a higher price tag for the 2015 season and beyond.
Of the three prospects the A’s acquired for Donaldson, only Sean Nolin has pitched in the majors. The 24-year-old left-hander has appeared in two games over the last two seasons. He is 0-1 with an ERA of 27.00.
Graveman is a right-hander who spent 2014 at various levels of the minor leagues. Barreto is an 18-year-old shortstop from Venezuela.
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