Bay Area Sports Guy – The A’s make a move, but it’s not a big one.

It looks like the A’s have made their first move of the deadline, acquiring catcher George Kottaras from the Milwaukee Brewers, according to Jon Heyman of CBS Sports.

Kottaras, a career .221 hitter, is hitting .209 this season in 116 plate appearances with three long balls.

The Brewers receive reliever Fauntino de los Santos in the deal, according to Susan Slussler.

It is unclear how this move will affect incumbent Oakland catchers Kurt Suzuki and Derek Norris.

Here’s what manager Bob Melvin has to work with now at catcher:

George Kottaras:

Year	Age	G	PA	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	SB	CS	BB	SO	BA	OBP	SLG	OPS	OPS+	TB
2012	29	58	116	86	10	18	4	0	3	12	0	0	29	24	.209	.409	.360	.769	109	31
5 Yrs		222	601	507	65	112	34	2	18	65	2	1	83	121	.221	.326	.402	.728	94	204
162 Game Avg.		162	439	370	47	82	25	1	13	47	1	1	61	88	.221	.326	.402	.728	94	149

Provided by Baseball-Reference.com: View Original Table
Generated 7/28/2012.

Kurt Suzuki:

Year	Age	G	PA	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	SB	CS	BB	SO	BA	OBP	SLG	OPS	OPS+	TB	HBP
2012	28	72	264	249	18	53	12	0	1	17	1	0	9	50	.213	.247	.273	.520	44	68	3
6 Yrs		700	2773	2517	282	639	131	4	57	301	16	9	176	330	.254	.311	.377	.688	87	949	44
162 Game Avg.		162	642	583	65	148	30	1	13	70	4	2	41	76	.254	.311	.377	.688	87	220	10

Provided by Baseball-Reference.com: View Original Table
Generated 7/28/2012.

Derek Norris:

Year	Age	G	PA	AB	R	H	2B	HR	RBI	SB	BB	SO	BA	OBP	SLG	OPS	OPS+	TB
2012	23	20	80	73	10	15	1	3	11	3	7	20	.205	.275	.342	.617	70	25
1 Yr		20	80	73	10	15	1	3	11	3	7	20	.205	.275	.342	.617	70	25
162 Game Avg.		162	648	591	81	122	8	24	89	24	57	162	.205	.275	.342	.617	70	203

Provided by Baseball-Reference.com: View Original Table
Generated 7/28/2012.

A week ago, it would have been much more likely the A’s would trade for a catcher. Derek Norris was slumping big time going hitless in over 30 at-bats. But he’s picked it up in the last few games with some big hits, including a big home run against the Blue Jays. Norris is still young with a bright future, so maybe the A’s feel moving him back down to Sacramento will be good for his long-term career, assuming the A’s will continue to carry only two catchers.

Suzuki has struggled all year. Kottaras isn’t an upgrade over Suzuki offensively, and their fielding numbers are very similar with Suzuki averaging a .996 fielding percentage and Kottaras sporting a career mark of .995. However, it is possible the A’s will attempt to move Suzuki to ultimately clear the way for Norris long-term.

Kottaras isn’t a big move for Oakland, but he provides depth and flexibility at the catcher position and could open up some possibilities for the A’s.

6 comments

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Butters

I'm starting to get worried about the backend of the bullpen. Two of the A's power arms are Cook and Doolittle, but both are rookies and are entering a pennant race for the 1st time. I think having a veteran bullpen arm will give the A's a little more margin to breathe, come the 8th/9th innings.

if colon is not traded, have mccarthy go into the bullpen......sent miller down to the minors.

Bryan A

Yeah, like Balfour or Blevins.

Stan

Kurt has slumped two years in a row now..as soon as the ink dried on the big contract,he lost the desire. And getting married to a hot blond ended other desires. Kurt plays like a man with no needs. He's gone from a reliable Suzuki,to a broken down Triumph.

Tru

I'm hoping he or Suzuki gets flipped in a bigger deal. We'll see.

Bay Area Duck Guy

There hasn't been much talk about that, but I'm not sure a C was a pressing need, especially since Kottaras really isn't an upgrade at all. So, that could be a real possibility now, and one that could really help the team since C's are always in high demand come August.