Ken Rosenthal is reporting that a five player trade is in the works with Oakland, with Jed Lowrie as the centerpiece. McTaggart notes Astros will get 1B Chris Carter, RHP Brad Peacock and C Max Stassi from the A's. Fernando Rodriguez will join Lowrie in Oakland.
Carter is a 1B/DH with power. He appeared in 68 games for Oakland last year, and hit .239/.350/.514 with 16 home runs. His OPS+ of 137 would have been tops on the Astros by a country mile. Seems likely the Astros like the idea of Carter as long term DH, with Singleton at 1st. The 1B/DH spot is getting pretty crowded, with Pena, Wallace, Freiman and now Carter. Somethings got to give there.This makes it that much harder for Freiman to stick with the club.
Stassi is a former top prospect who has lost a lot of time, and luster, due to injuries. However, he is still only 21 and has some power, hitting 15 home runs in just 84 games last year. He appears to be known as a good defensive catcher. John Sickels rated him as Oakland's #12 prospect.
Peacock was a part of Oakland's Gio Gonzalez deal last year. Had a pretty miserable 2012, it seems, with a 6.01. His FIP was better at 4.26. He was still ranked as the A's #4 pitching prospect going into the 2013 season by Baseball America, #6 by John Sickels. Projects as a mid rotation starter, best case scenario. Could conceivably make an impact this year.
Luhnow has said he would have to be "blown away" to trade Lowrie. That is a pretty nice haul for an injury prone shortstop and a mediocre reliever. Luhnow has effectively turned Mark Melancon into Kyle Weiland, Brad Peacock, Max Stassi and Chris Carter. I like the way he does business. Need to get to used to Marwin Gonzalez manning shortstop for a while, though.
We didn't come out here to play tiddlywinks, son.
-Hal Smith
