Zobrist, Escobar dealt to A’s
Budget-minded Rays send infielders to Oakland for Jaso, two minor leaguers
JOSH DUBOW OAKLAND, CALIF. — After spending much of the off-season dealing away stars, Oakland Athletics general manager Billy Beane added one for a change.
The A’s acquired versatile two-time all-star infielder Ben Zobrist and shortstop Yunel Escobar from the Tampa Bay Rays on Saturday for catcher John Jaso and two minor leaguers in a trade between teams that have been real busy this offseason.
“He’s really kind of a perfect fit with his skill set,” Beane said of Zobrist. “You could probably say that about 29 other clubs. He’s a pretty unique player.”
The 33-year-old Zobrist helped the Rays make the playoffs in four of the past seven seasons, including an improbable run to the World Series in 2008. He hit .272 with 10 home runs and 52 RBIs last season, and made starts at second base, shortstop, all three outfield spots and designated hitter.
Zobrist gives the A’s a switch-hitter with power and patience who can be used at a variety of positions on a team that prizes versatility. He will start off at second base in Oakland.
Zobrist became expendable after the budget-minded Rays finalized a one-year, $7.5-million contract with former Cleveland infielder Astrubal Cabrera, who will either play shortstop or second base, with another recent arrival — Nick Franklin — getting an opportunity to earn the other spot.
“These trades are difficult, but they’re a necessary part of how we operate,” Rays president of baseball operations Matt Silverman said of moving Zobrist, a fan favourite who’s entering the final year of a contract that pays him $7.5 million in 2015.
The Rays obtained Franklin from Seattle last July in the multi-team trade that sent pitcher David Price to Detroit.
Jaso hit .264 with nine home runs and 40 RBIs. The 31-year-old went on the disabled list on Aug. 25 because of a concussion and missed the rest of the season.
Tampa Bay also got infielder Daniel Robertson, outfielder Boog Powell and cash in this trade.