A's GM David Forst told John Shea of the San Francisco Chronicle that the team doesn't plan to trade either starting pitcher Paul Blackburn or outfielder Seth Brown, both of whom are arbitration eligible this winter. Blackburn is estimated to receive $3.2 million through arbitration, and Brown is at $2.4 million.
Saying that you don't plan to trade someone and not trading them are two entirely different things, but this is still an interesting take. Both Blackburn and Brown are veterans in a clubhouse lacking veteran leadership, especially with Tony Kemp hitting the free agent market. That could be one reason that the plan is to keep them around.
Another option could be that the A's have already had discussions on each player in trade talks and didn't like the packages that were being offered, so they're staying in Oakland--for now.
After Monday's news that Mason Miller would be headed to the bullpen in 2024, it would make sense that Blackburn would be kept around, at least to start the season. The rest of the A's rotation at this point is looking like a slew of unproven arms, with JP Sears, Luis Medina, Joe Boyle, and Osvaldo Bido in the mix to round out the starting five.
Brown on the other hand is a little more curious. Yes, he's a veteran and well-liked in the clubhouse, but he's coming off of a down season and the A's have quite a few outfield options to consider like Esteury Ruiz, JJ Bleday, Miguel Andújar, and Lawrence Butler. DH Brent Rooker can also man either corner outfield spot as well.
If one of them were to be traded, it would likely be Brown, who could serve as a fourth outfielder for a contending team while clearing space for Butler or Denzel Clarke on the roster. Brown won't be a free agent until after the 2026 season, and Blackburn is under team control through 2025.
This news also means that Wednesday's Rule 5 Draft isn't likely to include a position player, with outfield the only spot that could theoretically fit another player if Brown were to be traded. The A's will have the top pick in Wednesday's Draft.
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