Coming off a American League Western Division title, Oakland's Billy Beane doesn't seem to fit the profile of a general manager in need of a desperation move. But it does appear the Athletics felt compelled to bolster frankly a less than elite infield. So I'll give Beane the benefit of the doubt regarding Monday's acquisition of shortstop Jed Lowrie from the soon-to-be AL West rivals from Houston. Lowrie's name was mentioned as a possible trade target after Oakland announced the signing of Japanese import Hiro Nakajima. So it shouldn't have caught A's fans off guard that Beane pulled the trigger to get Lowrie, who played collegiately at Stanford.
What did seem to miff a lot of Green and Gold fans was the cost to land Lowrie and who figures to be at best long reliever Fernando Rodriguez from the Astros: Chris Carter, long expected to be a future Frank Thomas-esque power threat when he was part of the Dan Haren trade with Arizona in 2007. Carter indeed hit some tape-measure home runs in an Oakland uniform. But it wasn't until 2012 when he finally began showing glimpses of his unlimited potential with 16 home runs in 67 games and 208 at-bats. Carter formed a convenient right/left platoon at first base with Brandon Moss. But Beane's move suggests he's more concerned with overall infield depth and flexibility and understanding Carter's role is strictly as a first baseman or DH. Lowrie is a natural shortstop, but he can also play every other infield spot. It's also important to point out while Beane hinted Nakajima will be the team's everyday shortstop, the A's better plan on giving Lowrie plenty of work at second, third and first base. He also has an AMA-approved background of injuries. The A's also parted ways with a couple of intriguing but risky prospects, catcher Max Stassi and pitcher Brad Peacock, to obtain Lowrie.
Does that mean this deal could backfire on Beane? Sure, if Carter takes advantage of a more hitter-friendly left field fence at Houston's Minute Maid Park than he did at the pitcher's park in Oakland. If Stassi can show he can stay healthy and turn into a big-league catcher. If Peacock, who slumped significantly in 2012 upon arriving in Oakland's farm system from Washington, figures out his command and gets to the big club. And if Lowrie either can't stay healthy or is not an effective utility player; if he doesn't ultimately take over Nakajima if he does not adjust to baseball in the states. So call this trade a roll of the dice by both the A's and Astros, though the latter looks so far away from being even mediocre, Houston had less to lose and more to gain. The A's need to capitalize on 2012 and keep winning now.
I think the A's can handle losing Carter. But they can't assume a possible infield of Moss at first, Scott Sizemore at second, Nakajima at shortstop, Josh Donaldson at third and Lowrie spelling all of the above will be able to carry a team that instead should rely on its outfield, starting rotation and bullpen. Those are the team's strengths. Carter nor the new guy Lowrie seem like the kinds of players who will severely change the infield for better or worse.
A little more getting to know Jed Lowrie:
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