‘I think it was time for me to move on,’ says Healy of A’s
SEATTLE — Ryon Healy has a role with the Mariners that he wouldn’t have had with the A’s, and he’s at peace about leaving Oakland.
Healy became expendable because the A’s had key players written in ink at his positions: Matt Olson at first base, Matt Chapman at third base and Khris Davis at designated hitter. So Healy was traded in November to Seattle, where he’s the No. 1 first baseman.
In retrospect, he understands why the deal was made.
“I had a lot of opportunity over there,” said Healy, who homered off Brett Anderson in the third inning Wednesday, his fourth homer in four games. “I don’t have any bad things to say about Oakland, the organization or guys over there, a lot of great memories. I think it was time for me to move on. I’m really happy to be here and excited to compete with these guys.
“I just didn’t see a fit for myself anymore, kind of like they didn’t, which is why I was traded. It’s kind of black and white in that regard where there was just no spot for me to play. The fact of the matter is, being able to come here and be the first baseman, I’m excited to take advantage of that opportunity.”
In the Healy trade, the A’s acquired reliever Emilio Pagán, who was optioned to Triple-A Nashville on Wednesday to create a roster space for Anderson. Pagán had a 5.93 ERA and gave up 20 hits, including four homers, in 132⁄3 innings, yielding runs in each of his past six games.
As a rookie last year with Seattle, Pagán posted a 3.22 ERA in 34 outings. Manager Bob Melvin said Pagán will work on locating his fastball and throwing breaking pitches behind in the count and that the A’s still see him as a late-game reliever.
“Sometimes a little bit of time in the minor leagues allows you to refine your stuff and work on things without the pressure of pitching up here. He’ll be back,” Melvin said. “We still feel he’s significantly in our plans. One month into a season after a trade really isn’t the time to grade it out. It takes some time for that.”
The A’s also acquired infield prospect Alexander Campos, 18, in the Healy deal. He’s in extended spring training.
“Obviously, I root for them as much as I can when I’m not playing against them,” said Healy, who learned of the trade (in a call from Melvin) while at Chad Pinder’s bachelor party in Miami Beach, accompanied by Olson and Chapman. “I think we have a mutual respect for each other that they’re trying to beat us and we’re trying to beat them. In between those lines, we’re not friends, we’re competitors. Off the field, obviously, we’re still good friends.”
Healy has been limited to 12 games because of injuries. He had hand surgery Feb. 14 and recovered to appear on the Opening Day roster and play seven games, but sprained his ankle April 7 and didn’t reappear until last Thursday.
Another Manaea award: Sean Manaea was named American League Pitcher of the Month for April after throwing a no-hitter and posting a 1.00 ERA in five starts (he also made a start in March). Manaea was the league’s Co-Player of the Week after throwing the seventh no-hitter in Oakland history, and the monthly honor was the first by an A’s pitcher since Rich Hill in May 2016.