Adding some hope at first base and a name you won’t forget (as you silently sit in front of your computer, mouthing it at yourself), the A’s have acquired two new faces in a four-player swap with the Padres earlier this week.
The trade saw the departure of starter/reliever, Drew Pomeranz and minor-leaguer, Jose Torres. In return, the A’s got first-baseman Yonder Alonso, and left reliever…
The man they call “Scramble” is a 30-year-old Illinois native (though he grew up in California) is coming off of a 5.66 ERA performance, split between time in Cleveland and San Diego last season. Though in a dramatic twist, he was able to pack in a 2.74 ERA for Cleveland in 2014, following a 3.23 ERA performance in 2013. So if we can forget that last season even happened for Rzepczynski, he could end up another solid arm in the pen. If not, the most exciting thing about him will remain what’s written on the back of his jersey.
28-year-old Yonder Alonso is a little more of a stable option, and one of those perpetual waiting-for-the-breakthrough types. Since 2011, only one time did he post a sub-.273 BA. He also likes walking. Last season, Alonso posted only six less walks (42) than strikeouts (48). The move gives the A’s the ability to scrape away Ike Davis, his hip injury and his almost-$4 million contract from first base in place of Alonso, who will cost them only $1.65mil.
But most importantly, he’s very, very stoked to join the A’s. Very. Following the transaction sending him to the Athletics, Alonso has made the following statements:
- “I’m as excited as it gets!”
- "I'll be going to the hospital with my new Oakland A's hat on for the birth of our new baby boy!"
- "I'm from Miami - white shoes, I'm all about it!”
- “Now, I am looking forward to starting a new chapter with the Athletics & breaking out the white spikes! Let's go!”
No, I’m not sure, either, but it happened.
After 2015, the A’s made a statement that they were going to be putting focus on improving clubhouse vibe, and what better way to do it than an eager new face who Mark Kotsay says has “leadership potential”. (Don’t worry, he smiles a little bit more than Kotsay)
And who couldn’t be stoked about a guy who says his favorite thing about playing first base is chattering with the runners and working his way into their heads?
When asked about this in an interview, Alonso said, smiling, “If I had to pick one thing, it would be talking smack to the other team. When they get on base, sometimes they’re in a bad mood, and that’s when I really get after it with them.”
And you know who else is excited? Mark Kotsay. Yes. Mark Kotsay is excited. And probably making his excited face.
“You’re gonna love him,” says the former Padre.
Alonso also has some familiar faces in his midst. Kotsay knows Alonso’s skills, because the two were teammates on the Padres for two seasons before Kotsay’s retirement. They were reunited for another year after that when Kotsay accepted the position of hitting coach for the Padres in 2014.
And in a more bizarre twist of fate, Alonso is also reunited with his high school and college teammate, Danny Valencia.
Could this all be the push Alonso needs to have his breakout season in Oakland? Could having his old teammate be Danny Valencia’s extra kick he needs to find himself a real place in the infield? How much will Mark Kotsay smile? 2016 will have (some kind of) an answer to these questions. Stay tuned…
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