MLB teams continue to address their needs on the trade market. Two active clubs this offseason - the San Diego Padres and Oakland Athletics - struck a multi-player deal on Wednesday.
Oakland sent pitchers Drew Pomeranz and Jose Torres (along with a player to be named later or cash considerations) to San Diego in exchange for first baseman Yonder Alonso and pitcher Marc Rzepczynski.
The A's and Padres announced the deal on Twitter.San Diego issued a press release regarding the transaction. Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle was the first to report the trade. ESPN's Keith Law was the first to make note of every player involved.
Official: The #Padres acquire LHP's Pomeranz and Torres and PTBNL/cash from A's in exchange for Alonso, Rzepczynski: https://t.co/oVOw6ZPEuK
— San Diego Padres (@Padres) December 2, 2015
#Athletics acquire Marc Rzepcynski and Yonder Alonso from San Diego for Drew Pomeranz, Jose Torres and a player to be named later.
— Oakland Athletics (@Athletics) December 2, 2015
Pomeranz, 27, has been used as both a starter and reliever throughout his career, so it's unknown how the Pads will utilize him. The left-hander went 10-10 with a 3.08 ERA, 1.16 WHIP and 146 strikeouts in 73 games (19 starts), totaling 155 innings with the Athletics over the past two seasons.
Torres, 22, is a prospect who has also been used as both a starter and reliever. However, he was exclusively a reliever this past season with Class-A Beloit and High Class-A Stockton. He finished 4-5 with a 2.56 ERA, 1.02 WHIP, 84 strikeouts and 8 saves in 47 games (77 1/3 innings).
Both will be of use to the Padres as they're expected to lose multiple pitchers in free agency.
In Oakland, the A's will welcome Alonso and Rzepczynski. Alonso, 28, has spent his last four MLB seasons with the Pads and owns a stat line of .271/.339/.386 with 158 runs scored, 27 home runs, 165 RBI and 17 stolen bases over that span (439 games). Although Alonso has been hampered by injuries throughout his career, he's a solid hitter and will likely give the A's their primary option at first base as they plan to non-tender Ike Davis. Alonso is entering his first year of arbitration eligibility.
Rzepczynski, 30, was acquired by San Diego prior to this year's non-waiver trade deadline in a deal with the Cleveland Indians. The left-hander had an awful season and posted a 5.56 ERA and 1.54 WHIP in 72 games (35 innings) with the Indians and Padres. However, his 2014 campaign (2.73 ERA in 73 games) perhaps gives the A's some hope regarding the lefty specialist.
Stay tuned for updates regarding the PTBNL/cash considerations.
