OAKLAND, Calif. — The Oakland A’s offseason remodeling project continued unabated Thursday with the trade of catcher Derek Norris to the San Diego Padres.
Norris said he enjoyed his time in Oakland, but said the move down the coast would be a good opportunity for him.
“I’m excited; this is a big opportunity a chance to get out of the platoon,” Norris said.
The catcher’s playing time the last two-plus seasons has been limited with the A’s going to a platoon at a number of positions including catcher.
Norris is the fifth of the A’s seven All-Stars who have been traded since July, joining Josh Donaldson, Yoenis Cespedes, Brandon Moss and Jeff Samardzija. Jon Lester, an All-Star with the Red Sox before being acquired for Cespedes, signed a free agent deal with the Cubs earlier this month.
The only players remaining from the A’s All-Star contingent that went to Minneapolis are reliever Sean Doolittle and starter Scott Kazmir.
Oakland, which also sent minor league pitcher Seth Streich and an international signing slot to the Padres, brings pitchers R.J. Alvarez and Jesse Hahn, both right-handers, to the A’s as Oakland continues to get younger heading into 2015.
Norris posted career highs-batting .270 in batting average with 10 homers and 55 RBIs-in his third season in the majors.
“It’s an exciting time,” Norris said. “In speaking with the Padres, they believe they will compete this year. I don’t know, but I would not be surprised if they made another move or two to compete in the (National League) West.”
Norris did not seem particularly surprised by the move by Oakland after watching so many of his teammates traded or leave via free agency in recent weeks.
“It looks like they are looking to rebuild,” Norris said of the A’s. “And they may be trying to reload their minor league system.”
The Norris deal leaves the A’s with three catchers on the 40-man roster. Stephen Vogt, John Jaso and Josh Phegley, who was acquired from the White Sox in the Samardzija deal.
Hahn, 25, went 7-4 with a 3.07 ERA for the Padres in 14 appearances (12 starts). The team shut Hahn down in early September because he was coming off Tommy John elbow surgery.
Hahn joins a crowded group vying for spots in the rotation. Kazmir, Sonny Gray, Jesse Chavez and Drew Pomeranz return, Kendall Graveman and Sean Nolin were acquired from Toronto in the Donaldson trade and veterans A.J. Griffin and Jarrod Parker are expected back early in the season after undergoing elbow surgeries last season.
Alvarez, has a 2.41 ERA in three minor league seasons as almost exclusively a reliever. He made his major league debut in September and allowed one run in eight innings over 10 appearances.
Earlier in the day, the A’s acquired left-hander Eury De La Rosa from the Arizona Diamondbacks for cash, designated right-hander Fernando Rodriguez for assignment and released right-hander Jorge De Leon, who was claimed off waivers in October.
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
