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Oakland Athletics general manager David Forst spoke with A's beat writers following the A's acquiring Yonder Alonso and Marc Rzepczynski from the San Diego Padres for Drew Pomeranz and Jose Torres:
Forst calls Alonso's defense at 1B one of best in game, and that it warrants playing on a near regular basis. #Athletics
— Joe Stiglich (@JoeStiglichCSN) December 2, 2015
This was definitely a case of #Athletics targeting Alonso. Forst says they approached SD right after season, Pads insisted Pomeranz involved
— Joe Stiglich (@JoeStiglichCSN) December 2, 2015
Today's acquisition seems to be a move to plan around Coco Crisp missing a lot of playing time in the final guaranteed year of his contract. One would think Mark Canha will get lots of time in left-field against right-handed pitchers if Crisp is not available. Further, a decision on whether to tender an arbitration-eligible contract to Sam Fuld is due today as well.
Forst says that #Athletics weren't looking to move Pomeranz but San Diego made clear that deal wouldn't happen without him.
— Susan Slusser (@susanslusser) December 2, 2015
One of the immediate thoughts I had was that they're hoping to win another Tyson Ross on the A's again. It seems clear that the A's have moved on from thoughts of putting Drew Pomeranz into the starting rotation, just as the A's did with Ross after a 2012 campaign that saw him put up a 6.50 ERA in 73 1/3 innings.
Forst: "Arms are still a priority for us." Says plenty of trade conversations still ongoing.
— Jane Lee (@JaneMLB) December 2, 2015
Marc Rzepczynski slides into the bullpen role that was going to Drew Pomeranz. With Sean Doolittle, Liam Hendriks, Fernando Rodriguez, and Rzepczynski locks for the bullpen, that leaves three places open. One is set aside for Sean Nolin at present as the out-of-options starter is on the outside looking in for the rotation. That leaves at least two spots, then.
Evan Scribner is on the non-tender bubble today, though he's only projected to earn $700,000 as a Super Two arbitration-eligible player. Ryan Dull also could be in consideration, and the other relievers on the 40-man roster are R.J. Alvarez and Arnold Leon.
But of course, seven pitchers does not a bullpen make. Pitchers get hurt, suddenly turn bad, suddenly become starting pitchers, et cetera. The A's have to build good bullpen depth past the Opening Day seven, because that's something the A's did not do last year.
