Billy Beane is at it again, dealing away players shortly after acquiring them and leaving A’s fans dizzy.
The A’s baseball boss traded third baseman Brett Lawrie, as the club had been expected to try to do during baseball’s winter meetings, sending him to the Chicago White Sox for right-hander J.B. Wendelken and minor league left-hander Zack Erwin.
The A’s announced the trade Wednesday night, leaving them with five remaining arbitration-eligible players, down from 12 last week. Beane and new general manager David Forst has made an improved pitching staff a priority.
Oakland had a full infield after acquiring shortstop Jed Lowrie from Houston on Nov. 25, leaving third basemen Lawrie and Danny Valencia as possible options to be dealt.
Lawrie hit .260 with career highs of 16 homers and 60 RBIs in his lone season for the A’s, also staying off the disabled list for the first time in five major-league seasons.
