After just one season as a member of the Oakland Athletics, infielder Brett Lawrie could very well be on the move via trade this offseason.
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Report: A’s ‘Likely’ to Deal Lawrie
Friday, Nov. 27
In the wake of the A’s acquiring second baseman Jed Lowrie from the Houston Astros Wednesday, Lawrie looks to be the odd man out in Oakland.
According to Susan Slusser of SFGate.com, both Lawrie and third baseman Danny Valencia are on the trade block and are drawing interest from American League teams, but Lawrie is more likely to go due to his versatility.
The 26-year-old Lawrie can play both second base and third base, and he is coming off his best statistical season at the plate as he hit .260 with career highs in home runs (16) and RBI (60).
Lawrie—who was born in Canada—spent the first four seasons of his career with the Toronto Blue Jays. He was shipped to the A’s, however, in a deal that sent 2015 AL MVP Josh Donaldson up north.
Although Lawrie certainly didn’t compare to Donaldson, he was fairly productive for Oakland, which is why it came as something of a surprise when they brought back Lowrie just one year after allowing him to walk via free agency.
While Lawrie has yet to reach the full potential he has displayed since the Milwaukee Brewers made him a first-round pick in 2008, he showed signs of progress in 2015.
Lawrie may not be a great fit for Billy Beane’s Moneyball approach in Oakland, though, as his on-base percentage of .299 last season was a career low.
Team’s are often willing to pay for potential in Major League Baseball, and since Lawrie should be on the verge of entering his prime, the A’s may be able to get a solid return if they decide to send him packing.
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