The Kansas City Royals traded OF David DeJesus to the Oakland A's in exchange for pitchers Vin Mazaarro and Justin Marks. Here's what people are saying about the deal.
Royals trade DeJesus to Oakland for two pitchers - KansasCity.com
"David is in the final year of his contract," general manager Dayton Moore said. "He’s a terrific performer for us. He’s our most consistent player offensively and defensively. He’s a terrific person, and I hope to be reunited with him someday." Wait. It’s coming. "We wish him nothing but the best," Moore added, "but, at the same time, for what we’re trying to do going forward, this type of deal fits for us. And it fits for Oakland as well."
A's get DeJesus from Royals for Mazzaro, Marks : SFGate: Oakland Athletics : The Drumbeat
This is an interesting move; the team needs power, and DeJesus isn't going to supply a ton of it - he's a 12-15 homer guy at best. He's a good defensive player, though, which is consistent with the A's recent theme, and he's usually around the .300 mark; he was among the league's top hitters last season before he went on the DL because he needed thumb surgery. (So that also fits in the A's MO - injured outfielder!)
Royals ship DeJesus to A's for hurlers | royals.com: News
Mazzaro was 6-8 with a 4.27 ERA for the A's in 24 games, including 18 starts. He also pitched for Triple-A Sacramento, going 3-1 with a 3.13 ERA. Moore sees him joining a rotation that includes Zack Greinke, Luke Hochevar, Sean O'Sullivan and Kyle Davies. "He's 24 and had decent success at the Major League level. He just needs to go out there every fifth day," Moore said. "He's a big, strong guy who our scouts feel can be a solid rotation pitcher for a number of years -- and we control him for five years."
Escape from Kansas City: Royals trade DeJesus to A's for Mazzaro - Big League Stew - MLB - Yahoo! Sports
Quick analysis: All of the A's outfielders look alike. DeJesus, especially, seems like an older, polished Ryan Sweeney(notes). If he stays healthy in 2011, he probably will be worth two draft picks if he leaves in free agency. He doesn't hit for home-run power like the A's need, but he's good, and Oakland ought to contend for the playoffs.
A's acquire outfielder David DeJesus, trade pitcher Vin Mazzaro to Royals - Daily Pitch: MLB News, Standings, Schedules & More - USATODAY.com
Mazzaro was a candidate to become the fifth starter for the A's, who led the AL with a 3.58 ERA last season, but that opportunity was jeopardized when Oakland won the negotiating rights to Japanese right-hander Hisashi Iwakuma, regarded as a middle-of-the-rotation starter. Instead, the sinkerballing right-hander will have a strong chance to crack the Royals' shaky rotation. Kansas City had the league's highest ERA in 2010 at 4.97, and not one of its starters finished below 4.10.
A's send 2 pitchers to Royals for OF DeJesus - MLB - Wire - Macon.com
"He's a guy we've always liked," Beane said. "He's been a well-respected guy and does everything very well. I think he's just another good player to add to the mix of players out there."
The debate begins over the DeJesus deal | The Star's Blog on the Royals and Baseball
At best, they won’t have to hope DeJesus stays healthy enough to be a wanted commodity at the trade deadline next summer; and they won’t have to cross their fingers, hoping that he’ll qualify for Type A or B free-agent status, which would have provided the Royals those extra picks via Major League Baseball’s compensation system. And they won’t have to wait for those draft picks to develop.
MLB: Oakland A's trade little for David DeJesus - ESPN
All in all this looks like a sound cost-saving move for Kansas City where they add some pitching depth at low salaries, but where neither pitcher coming back projects as a medium-impact player.