A's/Pirates Trade

On November 27, 2004 a trade between the Oakland A's and the Pittsburgh Pirates was announced. In the trade the Oakland A's sent SP Mark Redman, and RP Arthur Rhodes, to Pittsburgh for C Jason Kendall. The trade actually took place on Wednesday, November 24, 2004, but wasn't announced until today so all the involved players could pass a physical.

In Kendall the A's receive a catcher whose translated career, and 2004 statistics look like so:

2004- .321/.400/.394, .280 EqA (Untranslated totals= 3 HR, 41/60 K/BB)

Career- .303/.383/.417, .281 EqA (Untranslated K/BB= 454/403 (1.13/1))

The A's are without a doubt getting an elite catcher (How can you argue with a career translated OBP of .383--for a catcher!!!!), who has remained pretty steady throughout his career--he's only had one year with a sub-.280 AVG, and one year with a sub-.350 OBP.

On the other end of the trade the Pirates are receiving SP Mark Redman, and RP Arthur Rhodes.

Rhode's and Redman's translated career and 2004 statistics:

Redman: 2004-4.62 ERA, 10.0 H/9, 1.1 HR/9, 2.8 BB/9, 4.7 K/9

Career- 4.20 ERA, 9.2 H/9, .9 HR/9, 2.3 BB/9, 5.7 K/9

Rhodes: 2004-4.85 ERA, 10.1 H/9, 1.9 HR/9, 4.9 BB/9, 7.0 K/9

Career- 4.16 ERA, 7.9 H/9, 1.0 HR/9, 3.5 BB/9, 8.7 K/9

The Pirates are getting two pitchers who are better than average in their career (using a 4.50 EqERA as "average"), but are coming off below-average seasons.

Throughout their careers both Rhodes and Redman have been very inconsitent; and at Rhode's age (35 in 2005), I wouldn't expect any repeat performances of his 2001 (1.72 ERA in 68.0 IP) or 2002 (2.33 ERA in 69.7 IP) seasons.

As for Redman, he is still young enough (31 in 2005) to possibly have a repeat of his 2003 season (3.59 ERA in 190.7 IP); but looking at the inconsistency throughout his career, it is not a safe bet.

So, in the end, one must ask, "Why did the Pirates trade away an elite catcher for two inconsitent pitchers?"

The answer to that question is the same every time, when it comes to trades: "Saving Money."

Here are the financial numbers:

Kendall will make $9.5 million in 2005.

Redman will make $4.25 in 2005, and Rhodes will make $3.07 million. The two will combine to make $7.32 million in 2005.

There is a differnce of $2.18 million in contracts, of which I've read nothing about Pittsburgh paying in 2005. But what I have read is:

"According to several reports, the A's will send Pittsburgh $1 million in each of the next two seasons, and the Pirates will send Oakland $5 million in 2007, when Kendall is scheduled to make $13 million."

-Mychael Urban at MLB.com

According to my figures (which are slightly different from Urban's) Redman and Rhodes are scheduled to make a combined $15.34 million in 2005 and 2006, and Kendall is due to make $20 million in that same period.

Subtract the $15.34 million from $20 million, and the difference is $4.66 million added to Oaklands payroll. Next, add the $1 million that the A's are going to send Pittsburgh in 05', and 06' ($2 million total), and the sum is $6.66 million dollars added to Oakland's payroll in 05' and 06'.

In 2005 and 06' Oakland will end up paying $3.33 million dollars per year for Kendall's services.

Then, finally, since the Pirates will send Oakland $5 million in 2007, you must subtract that from the $6.66 million to come up with a $1.66 million dollars added to Oakland's payroll through 05', 06', and 07'.

In 2007 though, Oakland will be due to pay the difference in Kendall's $12.5 million dollar salary, minus the $5 million Pittsburgh will send them, of $7.5 million, if they want to keep him. My guess is that he will be traded by then.

I see this trade as a way for Pittsburgh to save a massive amount of money. In 2007 (the year after Rhode's and Redman's contracts run out) the $17 million they would owe Kendall in 07', and 08' will be off their hands. They can use that money to sign, or resign, better, younger players.

After crunching all of these numbers, I believe Oakland will get the best of this deal. For the next two seasons, Oakland will only have to pay $3.33 million a year for Kendall, and in the end they will only be adding $1.66 dollars to their payroll. That is a great deal in the end--only adding $1.66 million to your payroll for two years of Jason Kendall.

After 2006 though, the Pirates will have alot of free money ($17 million) because of this trade; something coveted by every team in Major League Baseball.

I give the edge to Oakland though because of how good Kendall is, and the price they are paying for him. For the next two years, Oakland has a legitimate star behind the plate--one of the hardest position to find stars in.

Please note that my prediction does not include any references to how farmhands on Oakland, such as Joe Blanton and Huston Street, will perform when called up to replace Redman and Rhodes.

Not using farm systems, or predicting future performances of farmhands, this trade will favor Oakland.

Thank you for reading.

Frank Bundy III

If you have any questions, comments, concersn, or suggestions, please do not hesitate to email me at frnkbndy@yahoo.com.