The Oakland Athletics have traded their second All-Star of the offseason by sending Brandon Moss to the Cleveland Indians in exchange for minor league infielder Joey Wendle.
The move comes after days of anticipation that both sides would be able to come to an agreement on the parameters of a deal that was finalized on Monday.
Welcome to Cleveland, Brandon Moss! We’ve acquired the 2014 All-Star for minor-league infielder Joey Wendle. pic.twitter.com/FbvKIZqXOr
— Cleveland Guardians (@CleGuardians) December 8, 2014
Moss hit .234 with 25 homers and 81 RBI this past season. He did, however, struggle big time after Yoenis Cespedes was traded to the Boston Red Sox in Late July. Overall, Moss hit just .173 with four homers and 15 RBI after the All-Star break.
After acquiring Moss, the Indians have put outfielder Nick Swisher on the trade block.
As it relates to the A’s, they get a mid tier infield prospect in Joey Wendle who hit .253 with eight homers and 50 RBI at Double-A Akron in 2014.
For Billy Beane and Co. this has to be seen as the second of what will be many moves. He doesn’t feel like the A’s are rebuilding, but they have parted with two middle-of-the-order power hitters thus far this offseason.
Photo: Fox Sports