Oakland Athletics Roundup: Worst Trades in History; Henderson Alvarez

Worst Trades in Oakland Athletics History; Henderson Alvarez; Platoon Possibilities

Oakland Athletics Roundup: Wednesday, December 30

On Tuesday, our featured article was a list of the five worst trades in Oakland Athletics history. Our Rich Hill discussed several of the biggest deals that didn’t work out in favor of the A’s, from the earliest years in the Bay Area right up through the start of the 2015 season (take a guess as to which deal that was!)

Be sure to read his actual post here: The Five Worst Trades in A’s History

The runner-up in the worst trade department: In November of 2008, the Colorado Rockies dealt Matt Holliday to the Athletics in exchange for outfield prospect Carlos Gonzalez, 2005 Rookie of the Year winner Huston Street, and starter Greg Smith. Holliday, who had crushed the ball as a Rockie, performed decently in Oakland despite the fact that the team was struggling.

More from White Cleat Beat

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• Looking back at Ruben Sierra with the Oakland A’s
• San Francisco Giants showing Oakland A’s offseason could be worse
• Lucas Luetge what Oakland A’s need in bullpen

However, by mid-season, the A’s were back in the trade market as sellers. This time, they swapped Holliday for pitcher Clayton Mortensen, as well as position player prospects Shane Peterson and Brett Wallace. Absolutely none of those players panned out for the Athletics, meaning they effectively gave up Street and CarGo for nothing. Maybe not a Top Five worst trade, but certainly an honorable mention.

In Case You Missed It:

Should the A’s Platoon Jed Lowrie and Eric Sogard? – Samantha Riley analyzes whether splitting time at second base between Jed Lowrie and Eric Sogard next season is the best solution for the platoon-happy A’s.

Could Henderson Alvarez Be a Long Term Solution for the Rotation? – The A’s have come to terms on a one-year deal with Henderson Alvarez, but he’s actually under team control for the 2017 season as well, thanks to the wonderfully weird rules of free agency. Might he be a permanent solution for the rotation?

#Athletics

Next: The 30 Worst Players in A's History

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