Did Billy Beane Do The Right Thing With Brett Wallace?

It was the biggest trade of the off season. A four team block buster, where the Oakland Athletics slipped in at the last moment and possibly traded away their future third baseman, Brett Wallace. This came after the Athletics traded Jeff Gray to the Chicago Cubs for Aaron Miles and Jake Fox.

First things first. The Athletics need a Plan B for third base. Plan A involves Eric Chavez to be healthy, but he has been hampered by injuries the past two or three years. Multiple back surgeries during that time raise red flags in my mind.

Wallace was Plan B, before he was traded for Outfielder Michael Taylor. Taylor was a top prospect of the Phillies and is said to be ready for the Majors.

But what if Chavez is healthy? Are you going to bench one of your best hitting prospects or platoon at first base possibly with Daric Barton and Tommy Everidge? Mostly like no to either.

Here is the solution. Have your back up an utility player. Someone who can play anywhere you put him.

The A’s have two such players, who have experience at third base. Aaron Miles and Jake Fox.

Acquiring Taylor poses a great dilemma. There is already a log jam in the outfield. Travis Buck, Rajai Davis, Scott Hairston, Ryan Sweeney, and Aaron Cunningham. Cunningham is probably the odd man out in this case.

The are rumors that the A’s may sign outfielder Coco Crisp. That further complicates things for the time being.

It will be interesting to see if Billy Beane does any more trades by spring training in March. I am looking forward to seeing the A’s 2010 roster.

Was trading Brett Wallace the right thing to do? I don’t know, but I’m confident that Beane is going to correct his errors. That’s more than I can say for some General Managers of other Bay Area teams.