Welcome to another week A’s fans!
Yesterday was the Trade Deadline in baseball as playoff teams finish off their shopping lists for the final push towards October. Our A’s were not in the buyers category this year thanks to their lackluster 45-67 record but there’s always moves that can be made.
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Well the A’s had one of their quietest deadlines in recent memory, making just one trade involving a minor leaguer. The squad said goodbye to young corner outfielder Colby Thomas yesterday, ending his brief stint with the squad after just two years of tries:
It’s a disappointing outcome for Thomas, who was a former 3rd-round pick a few years ago. Thomas was considered one of the top prospects in the A’s system in recent years, ranking as high as #3 just last season. It hasn’t quite clicked for him up to now though. Some of that can probably be attributed to the irregular playing time he’s gotten at the big league level but after 100+ games and 200+ at bats he only has a .214/.252/.376 slash line with 10 home runs. Not exactly what the A’s were hoping for, but yet another good reminder that highly-rated prospects are no sure thing and don’t always work out. Thomas will now try to force himself into the mix with a Phillies squad that looks October bound.
The return is some much-needed bullpen help as the club added a controllable right-handed reliever with a big fastball. Johnson was a former 1st-round pick and has already seen himself included in a pair of big trades early in his pro career. There’s no question about his “stuff”, but he’s yet to fully harness it at the big league level with walks being a major issue in his brief time as a big league reliever.
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The A’s will certainly be willing to let Johnson work through those control problems. They haven’t yet announced it but there’s a decent chance the A’s add the 27-year-old to the roster soon and start getting an up-close look at their newest option out of the bullpen. The team has had major struggles from the relief unit the past couple of years and the front office knows it. Hopefully Johnson is just the start of a reworked bullpen for next year.
Baseball is back today and the A’s are in Cincinnati to take on the Reds. First pitch is at 3:40. Have a great day A’s fans.
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