SEATTLE - September 29: Franklin Barreto #1 of the Oakland Athletics plays shortstop during the game against the Seattle Mariners at T-Mobile Park on September 29, 2019 in Seattle, Washington. The Mariners defeated the Athletics 3-1. (Photo by Rob Leiter/MLB Photos via Getty Images)
If the Oakland A’s are going to salvage the disastrous Josh Donaldson trade, Franklin Barreto needs to step up this season.
When the Oakland A’s shipped Josh Donaldson off to the Toronto Blue Jays, the anticipation was that they were receiving plenty of pieces for their future. Kendall Graveman and Sean Nolin were expected to be a key parts of the rotation for years to come.