Rangers trade Andrus, cash to A's for Khris Davis, prospects
The Oakland Athletics have acquired shortstop Elvis Andrus from the division-rival Texas Rangers in exchange for designated hitter Khris Davis, the teams announced Saturday.
The Rangers are also receiving catching prospect Jonah Heim and right-hander Dane Acker as part of the deal while sending the A's catcher Aramis Garcia and cash.
OFFICIAL: We have acquired OF/DH Khris Davis, C Jonah Heim, and RHP Dane Acker from Oakland in exchange for SS Elvis Andrus, C Aramis Garcia, and cash considerations. pic.twitter.com/a35Kc3Ho3i
— Texas Rangers (@Rangers) February 6, 2021
Oakland is slated to receive $13.5 million from Texas, Jeff Wilson of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reports. Andrus is owed $14 million in 2021 and 2022; his $15-million team option for 2023 will become a player option if Andrus makes 550 plate appearances in 2022 or 1,100 PAs combined between 2021-22, Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic notes.
The A's are dealing with the loss of Marcus Semien, who signed with the Toronto Blue Jays late last month. Prior to this deal, their Opening Day shortstop was projected to be Chad Pinder.
Andrus, 32, is coming off another bad season during which the two-time All-Star hit .194/.252/.330 with three homers and three stolen bases over 29 games played. Since the beginning of 2018, Andrus owns a 74 wRC+ in 273 games - the second-worst mark among qualified shortstops over that span, according to FanGraphs.
Davis is two seasons removed from leading MLB in home runs, mashing 48 in 2018. However, over the past two seasons, the slugger has regressed, hitting .217/.294/.378 with 25 homers in 163 games played. The 33-year-old is owed $16.75 million in 2021 and is eligible for free agency at the end of the year.
Heim currently ranks as the ninth-best prospect in the A's system, according to MLB Pipeline. The 25-year-old made his MLB debut last year, hitting .211/.268/.211 with five RBIs over 13 games.
Acker, 21, was selected in the fourth round of the 2020 draft and has yet to make his professional debut. Over 25 2/3 innings in his final year with Oklahoma, the right-hander posted a 3.51 ERA and 0.78 WHIP.
Meanwhile, Garcia heads back to the A's as a potential backup option to Sean Murphy. Making his major-league debut in 2018, the 28-year-old has appeared in 37 career games, hitting .229/.270/.419 with six home runs.