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New Catcher for A's

HUGE trade for the A's.  We've got a new backup.  Seems like Landon Powell isn't the backup we want for Kurt.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:  March 27, 2009

A’s Acquire Catcher Curtis Thigpen

from Toronto

A’s Also Sign Catcher Eric Munson to a Minor League Contract

PHOENIX, Ariz. – The Oakland A’s have acquired catcher Curtis Thigpen from the Toronto Blue Jays in exchange for a player to be named later or cash considerations, the club announced today.  The A’s also signed catcher Eric Munson to a minor league contract.

Thigpen was outrighted off Toronto’s 40-man roster on February 6, but was hitting .148 with two home runs and two RBI in 14 games with the Blue Jays this spring as a non-roster invitee.  He had two separate stints with Toronto last year and was 3 for 17 (.176) in 10 games.  The 25-year old spent the balance of the 2008 season at Triple-A Syracuse where he batted .222 with three home runs and 41 RBI in 96 games.  Thigpen made his major league debut with the Blue Jays in 2007 and hit .238 in 47 games.

Munson spent the 2008 season at Triple-A Nashville in the Milwaukee organization and hit .165 with a home run and 12 RBI in 27 games in a season shortened by two stints on the disabled list.  He missed 19 days in April with a strained left hip and was sidelined for the remainder of the season after going on the DL on May 29 with left shoulder bursitis.  The 31-year old Munson made his major league debut with Detroit in 2000 and is a .214 career hitter with 49 home runs and 147 RBI in 360 games with the Tigers (2000-04), Tampa Bay (2005) and Houston (2006-07).