The Athletics acquired first baseman Kila Ka'aihue from the Royals for minor league pitcher Ethan Hollingsworth, according to press releases from the teams. The A's recalled and transferred Joey Devine to the 60-day DL to open a spot on the 40-man roster for Ka'aihue.
Ka'aihue was designated for assignment by the Royals last Wednesday. The 27-year-old had a crack at the Royals' first base job coming into the season but was benched before the end of April. In four separate Triple-A stints, Ka'aihue has proven his ability to draw a walk in 15-20% of his plate appearances. His power has seemed to come and go, however. The A's had penciled in another walk-happy first baseman before the season in Daric Barton, but he was optioned to Triple-A in June and went down with a torn labrum the following month.
Hollingsworth, 24, posted a 3.76 ERA, 6.2 K/9, 2.3 BB/9, and 0.9 HR/9 in 105 1/3 innings this year between Double and Triple-A. The A's had acquired him in January from Colorado for Clayton Mortensen.
Bob Dutton of the Kansas City Star first reported the trade on Twitter.
Ill be the first to say that there were a lot of people that called this trade.
A match made in heaven.
and this is why the As and Mets will not go anywhere this year we will spend 5 milion in wastebags. I do admit though nice job by Sandy to get Wheeler
I am going to scrutinize the hell out of this because I watched Moneyball on Saturday.
Anything to boost their sales….
Oh, you would know…..
Not surprising, but Kila does deserve another shot.
Not really. He’s a stiff.
We’ll see. The guy is 27–not 32–so he might just be a late-bloomer.
Not really. He’s a stiff.
I’m honestly surprised the Royals were able to get someone with some upside and under the age of 25… at first look I like Hollingsworth’s career MiL numbers. Decent K, BB, and HR rates.
Getting traded to Oakland is a great way to boost your offensive numbers and revive a career! Oh wait…
Seem to work well for Frank Thomas, Milton Bradley, Scott Hatteberg, Josh Willingham, Jack Cust, Erubiel Durazo, and Jermaine Dye. But I see your point.
Considering dye and Thomas were already established hitters in the bigs. Your
Logic is flawed.
Kila was born wearing an A’s uniform.
A “Kila” in Oakland? You don’t say…
So what about bradon Allen???!!
Most likely in RF? or DH?
The better question is between Kila, Allen, Barton, and Michael Taylor – who ends up playing where? All have experience at first, while Allen and Taylor have seen some time in the outfield.
I think Barton is a none factor. Allen could possible go to outfield and kila at first, and Taylor will probably also stay in outfield. With willingham, crisp, matsui and dejesus probably not coming back
Matsui is likely to return next year,according to reports
Throw Chris Vernon Carter into that mix, as well…
Throw Chris Vernon Carter into that mix, as well…
Chris Carter, Michael Taylor, Brandon Allen and Kila Ka’aihue.
I think I see Beane’s new undervalued commodity: Aging top prospects.
Smart move in my opinion.
Ka’aihue was never a top prospect. Ever.
Baseball Prospectus predicted he’d be a top 20 contributor at the MLB level this season. Not really sure how else to define “top prospect.”
Ka’aihue was never a top prospect. Ever.
Taylor and Carter weren’t aging top prospects when Beane got them. Nice try spinning that to look like Beane got an ‘undervalued commodity’ in them. What he got were players who have disappointed and not made much if any progress in two years, which is WHY they’re now aging.
Of course not. But he’s built a stable of aging top prospects around the same stage in their “development.” The thinking is that at least one of them will pan out.
Chris Carter, Michael Taylor, Brandon Allen and Kila Ka’aihue.
I think I see Beane’s new undervalued commodity: Aging top prospects.
Smart move in my opinion.
Kila monster is a welcome addition to a team of never-haves and never-wills. He’ll fit right in.
He’s a backup plan for if Carter flops completely. This should be the A’s lineup next year:
1B: Barton
2B: Weeks
SS: Pennington
3B: Sizemore
C: Suzuki
LF: Allen
CF:
RF: Taylor
DH: Carter
Random guess: Kila will be flipped to the White Sox.
Hahaha. Who do we get in return, your new manager?
So can we trade/release Barton now?