Oakland Athletics Acquire Chris Young and Set Up Future Trades

When the Miami Marlins shed flopping closer Heath Bell and sent him packing to the Arizona Diamondbacks, the real winner of the deal was probably the Oakland Athletics.

The A's got involved in the complicated three way deal, trading away a pair of infielders. Starting second baseman Cliff Pennington was shipped to Arizona and minor league shortstop Yordy Cabrera was sent to the Marlins.

In exchange, Oakland brought in outfielder Chris Young. Recently Young had been a valuable talent. He represented the Diamondbacks in the 2010 All Star Game. And in the 2011 Division Series, he hit three homers against the Brewers, batted .389 with an OPS of 1.394.

And according to ESPN's Stats and Information, his 11.7 WAR over the past three seasons rank him among the best National League outfielders. Only Ryan Braun, Andrew McCutchen, Michael Bourn, Jason Heyward, Matt Holliday and Giancarlo Stanton ranked higher. 

He had a down year filled with injuries in 2012 and became available for a mediocre infielder and a struggling prospect. 

Oakland Athletics' General Manager Billy Beane is quoted in the San Jose Mercury News saying "when these kinds of players are available at (a reasonable) cost, we think it's necessary to jump all over it."

A's fans should be encouraged that Beane is getting a good value when they consider the haul that Beane got for Gio Gonzalez, Andrew Bailey and Trevor Cahill last winter.

For his part, Young is excited to be reunited with his former Diamondback manager Bob Melvin. He managed Young when he homered twice in the 2007 Division Series victory over the Chicago Cubs and in that year's NLCS against the Rockies.

According to the Associated Press (through ESPN.com), Young has talked with Beane and his manager who he calls "BoMel" and sees this as "a new opportunity."

But the A's got more than a potential All-Star for a bargain. They also have put themselves in a position to improve their club elsewhere.

With Yoenis Cespedes, Josh Reddick, Coco Crisp, Seth Smith and now Young under control, the Athletics have a surplus of talented outfielder with athleticism and power.

Meanwhile teams like the Yankees, Dodgers, Red Sox, Giants, Cubs and Rangers (if Josh Hamilton leaves) will be looking for players who fit that exact description.

Billy Beane has a chance to go into the trade market with valuable chips and multiple teams willing to make bids. Last year he went into the trade market and brought back Jarrod Parker, Ryan Cook, Josh Reddick, Derek Norris and Tommy Milone.

What can he bring back this year? We will soon see. But the A's are in this position to trade because the Marlins and Diamondbacks gave up on former All-Stars.