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Oakland Athletics’ Jake Smolinski Making A Case For Ben Zobrist Trade

By Richard Paloma

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Jul 19, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Athletics left fielder Jake Smolinski (5) hits a solo home run against the Minnesota Twins during the third inning at O.co Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports

Zobrist is Now Trade Bait

With the Athletics’ dismal 2015 record, the last month has had talks of Scott Kazmir and Ben Zobrist filling July 31 trade deadline speculations. Kazmir is in the final season of a two-year, $22 million deal from 2014, and Zobrist, who was obtained from the Tampa Bay Rays in a trade at the start of this season, is in the final year of a 6-year, $30 million deal. While Kazmir has had some health concerns with shoulder and arm tightness causing potential bidders to become doubtful, the A’s are also deep in starting pitching replacements if he should be dealt. A.J. Griffin, who hasn’t pitched since Sept. 24, 2013, is in rehab currently at AAA Nashville.

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This weekend saw the emergence of A’s recent acquisition Jake Smolinski. In just his fourth game, and only second start as a member of the A’s, Smolinski had a career game. The young outfielder went deep twice in Sunday’s rout over the Twins, marking the first time in his short career that he had a multi-homer day. Smolinski, who was picked up off waivers from Texas earlier this year, was batting only .133 in 35 games before going down to AAA Nashville and hitting .427 in 25 games before his July 7 call up.

This weekend, Smolinski appeared on Saturday as a pinch hitter with two outs and the A’s down by a run in the ninth inning. He came through with a broken bat base hit off perfect-until-then Twins closer Glen Perkins. With new lumber on Sunday, the 25-year-old outfielder shined in a 3-for-5, 2 HR, 4 RBI outing. While one successful weekend doesn’t define a player, Smolinski is gelling with his new team, going 5-for-9 (.566) since joining the big club living up to expectations and matching his AAA performance.

Jun 20, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Athletics infielder Eric Sogard (28) throws the ball to first to record an out against the Los Angeles Angels in the ninth inning at O.co Coliseum. The Athletics defeated the Angels 4-1. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports

Because Smolinski can easily fill an outfield void if Zobrist was traded, and not wanting to bench young potential at such a hot stage, GM Billy Beane can dangle utility man Zobrist to a high bidder while keeping the A’s in no worse position to still compete and get back into some sort of contention.

Additionally, although Zobrist has been positioned at second base for a number of games this season, it is second baseman Eric Sogard who was slated to be the A’s fielder at that position in previous seasons. Now Sogard, with more regular playing time, is up his current .249 BA. If Zobrist is moved, the A’s will still have a quality defenseman covering second.

Come the end of this month, Zobrist is likely to join the half-season Oakland legacies of (also left fielders) Matt Holliday from 2009 and Josh Willingham of 2011. Athletics history has shown that high-priced players in a final contract year are trade bait for younger prospects to rebuild the abyss in other areas of the diamond.

Look for the A’s to be sellers in the next week since there are going to be a lot of teams buying at the deadline as 26 teams with a record that puts them in playoff position or within 5.5 games of a playoff spot.

Next: Oakland Athletics Should Strike Deal With Philadelphia Phillies