Rumors of Oakland A's general manager Billy Beane's fire sale may have been greatly exaggerated, as the A's have reportedly struck a deal to acquire infielders Ben Zobrist and Yunel Escobar from the Tampa Bay Rays.
Here's the San Francisco Chronicle's Susan Slusser with the report:
The #Athletics are on the verge of acquiring Ben Zobrist and Yunel Escobar from the #Rays, the @sfchronicle has learned.
— Susan Slusser (@susanslusser) January 10, 2015
FOX Sports' Ken Rosenthal cites sources that say it's a done deal:
Sources: Zobrist and Y. Escobar going to #Athletics, Jaso and Daniel Robertson going to #Rays. First reported: @susanslusser.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) January 10, 2015
The Rays are expected to pick another key piece from the A's farm system in the deal as well:
#Rays also expected to get one other piece. Robertson is top prospect, became top SS in #Athletics’ system after team sent Russell to #Cubs.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) January 10, 2015
Along with the recent acquisition of Marcus Semien from the Chicago White Sox, the A's now have even more positional flexibility with the acquisition of Zobrist. While his offensive production has dipped a bit recently, the 33-year-old two-time All-Star can play second base, DH, and all three outfield positions.
The 32-year-old Escobar hit .258/.324/.340 with seven home runs and 39 RBIs for the Rays in 2014.
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