Oakland Athletics Trade With San Diego Padres – Result: Yawn
Wednesday’s announced trade with the Padres that sent Oakland Athletics’ pitcher Drew Pomeranz and minor leaguer Jose Torres to San Diego for first baseman Yonder Alonso and lefty reliever Marc Rzepczynski is nothing to get excited about. (Also in the deal was a player to be named later by the A’s)
To sum up the deal, it’s basically one team unloading their excess baggage to another organization willing to accept it and getting the same in return. Both Alonzo and Rzepcznshi were non-tender candidates for the Padres.
Pomeranz, a former top prospect now 27, was both a starter and reliever in 2015 and had a combined 5-6 record with a 3.66 ERA. His bullpen performance lowered his starter ERA of 4.63, but he was part of the Athletics’ bullpen implosion of 2015 that couldn’t hold a lead with Pomeranz delivering only 50 percent of the time in save situations – 3 of 6.
In 2014, Pomeranz made a trip to the disabled list after a June 16 outburst where he punched a chair with his non-pitching hand after surrendering 8 runs in two innings. This resulted in over four weeks of time off and he was later moved to the bullpen when he returned. (Remember fans, when the A’s lost a starter because of this hissy-fit, they went out and dealt for Jeff Samardzija, Jason Hammel and later sacrificed Yoenis Cespedes for Jon Lester)
In 2015, recurring AC joint problems in Pomeranz’s left shoulder resulted in another trip to the disabled list and again back to the bullpen upon his return. He had clavicle resection surgery this offseason and it’s unknown what those affects will be.
Torres spent the majority of last year with Beloit (Rookie A) and made three appearances for the Stockton Ports (Class A), going 4-5 overall with a 2.56 ERA in 47 games.
The Oakland Athletics received left-handed reliever Marc Rzepczynski, 30, who had a hefty 5.66 ERA in 72 appearances between the Cleveland Indians and Padres in 2015. In just 35 innings pitched in 2015, opposing batters whacked a .292 BA, with righties taking advantage of him with a .372 average. In his 27 appearances with the Padres, he had a horrific 7.62 ERA.
The much-traveled Rzepczynski (Toronto, St. Louis, Cleveland and San Diego) who obviously struggled with the Padres after being acquired in July is 11-24 in his career with a 3.96 ERA. He was primarily used in a set-up role and is only 1 of 16 in save opportunities.
Yonder Alonzo is the likely replacement for left handed swinging Ike Davis who was not offered a contract by the A’s after this past season. Once touted as a one of MLB’s more promising prospects, Alonzo hit .273 over parts of four seasons that had frequent stretches on the DL each of the last three seasons. While he’s become a solid defender, he never showed the power as expected. After hitting 39 doubles and nine HRs in his 2012 debut season in San Diego, he smacked only six long balls in 2013, seven in 2014, and five last year.
Next: A's Have Signed Numerous Minor League FA This Offseason
This isn’t the kind of deal to get excited about as the A’s unloaded an ineffective reliever and an unknown Class A reliever for a much traveled relief pitcher and a DL ranger. In essence, it’s like buying someone else’s junk at a garage sale after you did some spring cleaning yourself.