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We got news!
Sources: Free-agent infielder Trevor Plouffe to Athletics. Agreement in place. Deal pending a physical.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) January 11, 2017
And that news is fairly meh, though there are reasons Plouffe makes sense. Welcome to 2017, where dingers are the new norm, bad defense is the old, and strikeouts will run rampant.
The deal is for one year per Susan Slusser.
It's a one-year deal with the #Athletics for Trevor Plouffe.
— Susan Slusser (@susanslusser) January 11, 2017
Plouffe was straight up bad in 2016, worth -.4 fWAR thanks to an injury riddled season, poor defense, and a bat that didn't quite live up to his normal, league average-ish standards. But, the two years before that he was worth 5.9 fWAR, squarely above average at the hot corner. He has upside, but his most recent season would have fit in well with the 2016 Oakland A's team, and that's no bueno.
Where will he play? Apparently third, moving Healy across the diamond and creating a glut on the roster.
Plouffe is likely to get the bulk of time at 3B, with Ryon Healy at DH and 1B (with Alonso).
— Susan Slusser (@susanslusser) January 11, 2017
No word yet on a corresponding roster move, as the A's will have to DFA someone from their 40-man to make room. Likely options include Zach Neal or Jesse Hahn, though there are other players who could fit the bill as well .
***This article is updating. Stay tuned for more details and analysis.***
