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Trade Target: Desmond Jennings

The A's aren't done with their offseason yet, so let's keep thinking about potential trade targets. I laid out some relatively obvious characteristics that the A's have been looking for this offseason. They've made a commitment to getting younger, and finding players who had strong pedigree as minor leaguers. They've added Billy Butler, Ike Davis, and Brett Lawrie to the offense already, and they could still use help in the outfield and at second base. For now, let's turn our attention to Tampa Bay Rays centerfielder Desmond Jennings.

Jennings, 28, has hit .248/.327/.401 (108 wRC+) in 474 career games in the major leagues. A former top prospect, Jennings has never quite reached the peaks he was projected to have as a minor leaguer (ranked the #6 prospect in MLB by Baseball America before the 2010 season). He has been a solid player, amassing over 3 fWAR in each of the past three seasons, but has not yet become a star.

With three years of team control left, Jennings is a valuable commodity. He fits the A's M.O. as he is in his peak age range (under team control for his age 28, 29, and 30 seasons) and has always been a solid baserunner and defender. His career walk rate is 9.4% in the majors, and 10.7% in the minors.

The Rays have been rumored to be in on Colby Rasmus, and TB Times beatwriter Marc Topkin has reported that the Rays are willing to deal from their outfield (though they have already dealt Matt Joyce to the Angels):

The A's have a current outfield alignment of Sam Fuld, Coco Crisp, and Josh Reddick with Craig Gentry as a reserve/platoon player. Jennings, a right handed hitter with a career 141 wRC+ against LHP, could slot in as an everyday LF or CF. With him and Gentry in the outfield against LHP, you would have two very good defenders and baserunners, who hit lefties well, in your outfield (and maybe at the top of your lineup). A left handed starter facing a top of the order of Craig Gentry and Desmond Jennings would have a tough time keeping both off the basepaths, and an even tougher time keeping an eye on them once they reach first base.

Starting pitching is how the A's maintain their success, and the Rays aren't much different. Given the A's depth at SP, and the Rays' relatively thin rotation, a match could be made. The Rays dealt Wil Myers to San Diego, in addition to Joyce to LAA, but they did add Steven Souza and could potentially land Colby Rasmus. They have Kevin Kiermaier and David DeJesus in the outfield as well. They don't have a DH, so maybe John Jaso as a secondary piece would grease the wheels?

Jennings, a talented player who has had some knee problems while playing on artificial turf, is still in the prime of his career and has a chance to blossom. He has been productive, to be sure, but there is still some star potential lurking. Would the A's be wise to trade a young starter like Drew Pomeranz or Sean Nolin, possibly along with a guy like John Jaso, for Desmond Jennings? If the Rays sign Colby Rasmus, I imagine the Jennings rumors will start to swirl even more. And if Jennings is available, I can certainly see the A's matching up well.

Off the top of my head, Pomeranz/Jaso/Cook for Jennings and a 2nd piece like Nathan Karns?