The Athletics have made a series of roster heading out of the break, as Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports. Young corner infielder Ryon Healy is coming up to take the place of struggling outfielder Billy Burns, who has been optioned. The club designated righty Nick Tepesch to clear 40-man space.
[Related: Updated Athletics Depth Chart]
Parting with Tepesch wasn’t too difficult for Oakland, given that he was only just claimed a few weeks ago. But the 27-year-old might have provided some useful rotation depth for the organization, which would come in handy in the event that one or more starters end up being traded in the coming weeks. He might yet, of course, as it’s possible that he’ll end up in the A’s system.
Burns had been expected to hold down semi-regular duties in center field, but the 26-year-old has failed to follow up on a quality 2015 campaign. Indeed, he has been about half as productive with the bat as he was last year, putting up a meager .234/.270/.303 slash. The speedy Burns does have 14 swipes and a useful glove, but that’s not enough to compensate for such a rough go at the dish.
As for Healy, 24, this represents his first crack at the majors. He earned an early-season promotion to Triple-A after destroying Double-A pitching, and is off to a .318/.362/.505 start over his first 210 plate appearances at the highest level of the minors. Healy doesn’t offer top-flight power — he’s at 14 on the year and has never finished a professional season with more than 16 — but is certainly trending up in that regard and seems to carry a well-rounded overall bat.
He had a shot at Roy now he’s in the minors lol
That’s funny grichuks also in that boat
Burns has a .261 BABIP, Grichuk’s is .255. Just bad luck really, they’re the same hitters they were last year.
Burns is getting pretty unlucky, with speed like he has, youd think his babip would be higher than average just because he could hit more infield singles.
I actually heard, especially in grichuks case, that last year that his babip and performance was a product of “luck.” He just had a higher babip in the majors than he did in any level in the minors
Tepesch comes cheap and has a heartbeat. Padres just found their new number 2 starter.
Why not? We’ve had a good history with A’s.
Betting the A’s get a CF for Hill and Reddick, they’re quite thin in OF prospects (although have a lot of INF who could probably move to a COF).
As in Oakland AAs season-ticket holder, I’ve been very frustrated with how they’ve handled some of their young and upcoming talent recently. Not to mention trading away greats like Donaldson, but playing Coco basically constantly but not giving burns enough at bats to develop. There’s been playing games where the aids been nearly no-hit in Burns gets a blunt single, or does something to get on base, steals a base, and is able to get a run. I know he’s clearly having a down year, but he has talent, and does all the things the A’s like. I feel like they should try to give him the bats now especially over somebody like Coco because I think his option may vest which is something they should avoid. The Aza made a lot of stupid mistakes recently. I hope they can make up for some of them by getting a good return it the deadline. However, if DP is a good example of what the A’s would get in return for somebody like Rich Hill, I would rather just keep Hill. Don’t want an 18y/o 50/50 shot at best… The As are terrible let these kids take their lumps and they’ll hopefully get better. Not contending anyway
Huh…the Price return would be a great return for Hill, especially for what the A’s signed him for, don’t understand your reasoning.
Rich Hill would not get as much prospects back for Oakland as David Price did, since Rich Hill has only been good part of last season and this year. I would say maybe one of a team’s prospects in the top 100 plus one or two more in the top 20 would be enough for Hill.
I’m a Cubs fan but I can see a Soler for Hill back to Chicago deal butA’s will need to throw Burns in on this trade to avg it out
I’m an A’s fan and most of their moves are puzzling at best. The gave Pomeranz away for virtually nothing after never giving him a shot to do what he did in SD. SD flipped him for a top 20 prospect. The A’s are god awful at developing their position player prospects, so demoting Burns and play Coco is status qou for them. They should trade Hill but unfortunately I can already guarantee a Luke warm return for him as again, that is the norm for the A’s.
I bet the A’s are trying to make a team take Butler in a trade for either Reddick or Hill. Healy could easily slide into Butler DH position.
The Tigers have “Luke Warm” in abundance in their minors. Perhaps there’s a fit?