Chris Coghlan: Traded to A's

Coghlan was traded to the A's on Thursday in exchange for Aaron Brooks, ESPN Chicago's Jesse Rogers reports.

Analysis:

This move makes a ton of sense for both sides, as Coghlan wasn't going to see the kind of playing time this year with Chicago that his 2015 season warrants, and the A's had a plethora of interchangeable starting pitchers. Last year Coghlan hit 16 homers with 11 steals in 503 plate appearances, and he could challenge for a second double-double season in a row with Oakland, despite the downgrade in ballparks. It seems likely that the A's are going to play Coghlan in left field, with Khris Davis taking the bulk of the at-bats at DH, as Coghlan is the superior outfield defender. This also gives the A's a backup plan in center field if Billy Burns were to regress at the plate, as Coghlan could play there in a pinch. Coghlan also saw limited time at second base and third base last year, and he could get some spot starts in the infield with Oakland if Jed Lowrie or Danny Valencia get hurt or underperform. Regardless of where he is deployed, the A's will likely sit him most days against lefties, against whom Coghlan has a .630 career OPS.