The Oakland A’s made a high-profile trade this month, sending away slugger Khris Davis and his big salary in exchange for a similarly expensive new shortstop in Elvis Andrus. In addition to those highlight names, the A’s also sent over a pair of prospects, and the Rangers kicked in a considerable amount of cash plus another player.
In terms of payroll, the exchange was Andrus for Davis, each earning eight figures this season. But Davis might not have played a big role on the A’s this year anyway if his long slump continued, so in 2021 roster terms it was more like Andrus for Jonah Heim, the MLB-ready catching prospect who went to Texas in the deal.