The A's traded Matt Holliday to the Cardinals less than a year after acquiring him from the Rockies. Let's take a look at what the A's gave up to get Holliday, what he provided in Oakland and what the A's obtained from the Cards. Here's what Billy Beane traded away to get Holliday:
- Huston Street – A quality reliever who attracted trade interest himself before the Rockies started winning. The Rockies pay Street $4.5MM this season and control him through next year.
- Carlos Gonzalez - Just 23, he hasn't hit much in the majors yet, but "has the tools" to break out, according to Kevin Goldstein.
- Greg Smith – The 25-year-old lefty has just pitched in the minors this year, without much success.
Here's what Holliday offered in three and a half months as an Athletic:
- He hit .286/.378/.454 with 11 homers and 12 steals in 15 attempts. Holliday has also played strong defense in left.
- The A's have paid about $8MM of his $13.5MM salary so far.
- Perhaps most importantly, the A's had a chance at contending because they acquired Holliday. It didn't work out, but the chance for a playoff run is worth something.
And what the A's obtained from the Cardinals for him
- Brett Wallace – Ranks 21st on Baseball America's mid-season list of the game's top prospects. The 22-year-old is a patient hitter with some power and limited defensive potential at third base.
- Shane Peterson – Goldstein says the 21-year-old can play first and both corner outfield positions. He's a line drive hitter with good speed now playing in AA. John Sickels says he can be a fourth outfielder in the majors.
- Clayton Mortensen - Goldstein says there are no guarantees with the righty, but he could become a back-of-the-rotation starter.
- About $4MM in salary relief – the A's will chip in for $1.5MM, leaving the Cardinals with a $4MM tab.
- The A's lose the chance at the compensation picks they would have received if they had offered Holliday arbitration after the season only to see him sign elsewhere.
Some are calling the trade a big win for the A's, but the Cardinals improve their 2009 chances and please their manager and best player all at the same time.
