MLB Trade Rumors: Athletics Send Brett Lawrie to White Sox
MLB teams are slowly building up their respective rosters to prepare for next season's grind, and the Oakland Athletics are one of those focusing on boosting their pitching rotation. On Wednesday, the team announced that they're getting two minor league players from the Chicago White Sox in exchange for third baseman Brett Lawrie.
Also, the team has verbally agreed with John Axford for a two-year contract worth $10 million, pending physicals. The 32-year-old had his best year in 2011 when he led the National League in saves, eventually winning the Rolaids Relief Man Award that same year. He played for Colorado last season.
Oakland fans kind of expected the decision of moving Lawrie because the team obviously needed to add depth in their pitching rotation. The two minor leaguers the team got are right-hander J.B. Wendelken and left-hander Zack Erwin.
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It also is interesting to learn that Lawrie's departure means that Oakland now has five arbitration-eligible players, an improvement from last week's 12. According to Athletics' general manager David Frost, the team's priority has always been about improving the pitching staff.
For the White Sox, getting Lawrie made total sense right after infielder Gordon Beckham bolted the team to sign with the Atlanta Braves. But the thing is most baseball pundits will agree that the 25-year-old is actually a more versatile player compared to Beckham, plus the fact that Chicago only had to give up two young pitchers who haven't proven themselves in the league as of yet.
Lawrie is an established starter in the league who comes equipped with offensive abilities and an equally potent defensive mentality. The White Sox are counting on him to help the team improve from last season's performance. The team ranked at the bottom half of the league in runs scored, as well as slugging percentage last year, so Lawrie should be an interesting addition to the club that needs his energy and potential.
