Phillies/ A's trade

[OaktownSam]

A's send:

Max Schrock 2B (ml)
Kyle Higashioka C (aaa)

Phils send:

Adam Haseley LF (aaa)
Kevin Gowdy SP (aaa)
Francisco Morales SP (a-)

A relatively significant deal to kick off the off season. We're still building towards .500 baseball next year and being competitive in 2021. Our payroll is now down to about $50m (!) so we've $$$ to spend on FAs in the next couple of years. 

We have a crowded infield and with the realization that Franklin Barreto's defense isn't strong enough for SS (my scouts view of him went from an '8' to a '5' overnight) Max Schrock became the odd man out. Schrock's a quality bat and our biggest trade chip so this was a difficult deal to make but I love Haseley's upside and we are extremely weak at corner OF. If Marino Campana RF (aa) and Blake Rutherford CF (aaa) develop as they should we now have our outfield for the next 5-6 years. Gowdy looks like a high ceiling SP spec, again the kind of player we need to stockpile for 2021. Morales and Higashioka are throw in's. 

Thanks to Matt for the fair and straight forward negotiations. 

[Grubs - Philly]

After a dismal year, Ill-adelphia can't help but retool going into the offseason. With a revamped coaching staff and a strong pool of young talent knocking at the door, the organization is hoping for a rebound to 2018 levels.

Max Schrock provides a significant offensive upgrade at second base and takes some of the pressure off a still-developing Malquin Canelo. The move also gives Philadelphia some salary space, as a crowded infield will lead to some departures. Higashioka is, as Sam said, a throw-in, but unless he hits below .100, he won't be worse than anything else the team rolled out to home plate. Evan Gattis performed so poorly that he didn't vest into the second year of his deal. Thank God. It's tough to see Haseley go, as he's a great prospect, but Mickey Moniak seems likely to make the team out of Spring Training, and Seth Beer may not be far behind.

Fun to work a deal with Sam. Thanks for digging deep to find something that worked.

[Commissioner Erick]

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