After just missing the postseason a year ago and having a roster in place that could feasibly compete in an expanded playoff field, the Athletics have decided to go in the other direction, selling off a number of their key players after the lockout. They traded starter Chris Bassitt to the Mets, while Matts Olson and Chapman went to Atlanta and Toronto, respectively. Over the weekend, they traded another key player, this time sending Sean Manaea and Aaron Holiday to the Padres in exchange for prospects Eruibiel Angeles and Adrian Martinez.
On the Padres side of things, they are building up a whole lot of rotation depth after learning the hard way last season what can happen when key arms go down.