MLB Trade Deadline: One trade each team should make
By Jason Evans
Oakland Athletics-Coco Crisp, Patrick Schuster and cash to the Atlanta Braves for Kelly Johnson
It is ridiculous that the Oakland A’s have had their pitchers go into their lineup four times this season because they needed their DH to play the field. They need someone on the bench who can play multiple positions. They have two first baseman on the bench. It’s not constructed well.
Enter Johnson, who like I said in the slide with the Mets, can play everywhere. They need another option of someone who can do this. He’s cheap and can be a free agent after this season. It makes perfect sense for the A’s.
For the Braves, it’s another arm this time for the bullpen. Schuster is 25 and left-handed so if he can get left-handed hitters out and become a LOOGY on the cheap it’s a win. Crisp is someone who can give them depth in the outfield and someone who could be flipped for something else before the season is over. They can manage his playing time so his vesting option doesn’t kick in and if they keep him, he can just become a free agent at the end of the year, exactly like Johnson would.
Next: Philadelphia Phillies