Trade Central: A’s Continue Outfield Maneuvers, Cubs Add Depth

THE DEAL

Following their acquisition two weeks ago of righthanded-hitting outfielder Khris Davis from Milwaukee, the A’s on Thursday acquired lefty-swinging Chris Coghlan from the Cubs for righthanded reliever Aaron Brooks.

The 30-year-old Coghlan, the 2009 NL Rookie of the Year, has rebuilt his career as a utility man on the North Side, posting an .804 OPS in 2014 and .784 in 2015 with 47 extra-base hits. He played 99 games in left field, 21 in right and 15 at second base and replicates the role Ben Zobrist had in his brief time with Oakland.

Brooks, coincidentally, was acquired from the Royals for Zobrist and struggled in his brief time in Oakland. Still, he gives the Cubs yet another optionable arm to the stable-full they have acquired this offseason—giving manager Joe Maddon tons of options in a revolving bullpen.

Since November, the Cubs have signed or acquired bullpen pieces such as Jack Leathersich, Andury Acevedo, Drew Rucinski, Brandon Gomes, Stephen Fife, Jean Machi, Aaron Crow, Spencer Patton and C.J. Rienfenhauser, not to mention re-signing Trevor Cahill, who was reborn as a reliever in 2015, and trading for swingman Adam Warren, who will get a shot to start.

Shortly after the Coghlan deal was announced, the Cubs said they had re-signed outfielder Dexter Fowler. The Fowler acquisition would have made it difficult for Coghlan to make the Cubs’ roster.

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CUBS ACQUIRE Aaron Brooks, rhp Age: 25

Brooks is a durable righthander with solid but unspectacular stuff. At his best, he’s reminded scouts of Athletics’ righthander A.J. Griffin with an average fastball and a power breaking ball. Most teams see Brooks as a useful fringe major leaguer who can jump up and down from Triple-A to fill in, either as a starter or reliever.

Club (League)	Class	W	L	ERA	G	GS	IP	H	R	ER	HR	BB	SO	AVG
Kansas City (AL)	MAJ	0	0	6.23	2	0	4	6	3	3	0	0	3	.333
Omaha (PCL)	AAA	6	5	3.71	18	17	107	118	46	44	9	21	92	.282
Nashville (PCL)	AAA	1	0	2.25	2	2	12	9	3	3	1	0	11	.209
Oakland (AL)	MAJ	3	4	6.71	11	9	51	67	38	38	9	14	35	.321

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A’s ACQUIRE Chris Coghlan, of Age: 30

Coghlan was a more-than-useful player in his two seasons in Chicago, although he was largely used against righthanded pitching. In his career, Coghlan has posted a .784 OPS against righthanders and a .629 OPS against lefties. He could fill a number of positions for the A’s as he did in Chicago, but his power numbers will likely take a dip playing in the more-expansive O.co Coliseum.

Club (League)	Class	AVG	G	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	BB	SO	SB	OBP	SLG
Chicago (NL)	MAJ	.250	148	440	64	110	25	6	16	41	58	94	11	.341	.443