The Athletics had to make some kind of change. After losing four in a row, they're heading in the wrong direction before the July 30 MLB trade deadline.
On Wednesday, they wasted no time in making a change. A big one, too.
The A's acquired center fielder Starling Marte and cash considerations from the Miami Marlins for pitcher Jesús Luzardo.
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The Miami Herald's Craig Mish first reported Marte was headed to Oakland. The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal confirmed the news, and MLB Network's Jon Heyman first reported Luzardo was going to Miami.
ESPN's Jeff Passan cited sources in reporting the Marlins will cover the remaining $4 million on Marte's contract this season. Marte is a free agent after this year.
Marte, 32, is enjoying another productive season at the plate. Through 63 games, he's batting .306 with seven home runs and an .859 OPS. His 22 stolen bases also are tied for third in all of baseball.
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Luzardo, still only 23, has struggled this season and currently is in Triple-A. In 13 appearances -- six starts -- he had a 6.87 ERA in the majors this season and gave up 11 home runs.
Once seen as the future ace of Oakland's staff, the A's felt Marte was worth moving on from Luzardo. The young lefty made his MLB debut at 21 years old and allowed just two earned runs in 12 innings in 2019. But he was inconsistent last year and had a 4.12 ERA.
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The A's have every reason to go all-in this season, for reasons both on and off the field. Giving up Luzardo this soon isn't easy, though.
Entering Wednesday, the A's were six games behind the Houston Astros in the AL West and only one ahead of the Seattle Mariners for the second AL wild-card spot. Marte could be just what they need right now.
It's just a tough pill to swallow.