Brett Lawrie Traded to Chicago White Sox for Prospects

After just one season as a member of the Oakland Athletics, infielder Brett Lawrie has been traded to the Chicago White Sox for pitchers Zack Erwin and J.B. Wendelken, according to the White Sox's official Twitter feed.

The 25-year-old Lawrie can play both second base and third base, and he is coming off his best statistical season at the plate, as he hit .260 with career highs in home runs (16) and RBI (60).

Lawrie, who was born in Canada, spent the first four seasons of his career with the Toronto Blue Jays. Toronto shipped him to the A's, however, in a deal that sent 2015 AL MVP Josh Donaldson up north.

Although Lawrie certainly didn't compare to Donaldson, he was fairly productive for Oakland, which is why it came as something of a surprise in November when the A's reacquired infielder Jed Lowrie just one year after allowing him to walk via free agency.

While Lawrie has yet to reach the full potential he has displayed since the Milwaukee Brewers made him a first-round pick in 2008, he showed signs of progress in 2015.

Lawrie may not have been a great fit for Billy Beane's Moneyball approach in Oakland, though, as his on-base percentage of .299 last season was a career low.

Team's are often willing to pay for potential in Major League Baseball, and since Lawrie should be on the verge of entering his prime, the A's got a solid return after deciding to send him packing.

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