ANAHEIM -- In case there was still any doubt, Friday provided a clear message: The A¡¯s are all in for 2021.
In what developed into one of the most frantic Trade Deadlines in quite some time, the A¡¯s emerged as one of the more active clubs by striking another deal just before the final buzzer, acquiring catcher Yan Gomes and utilityman Josh Harrison from the Nationals in exchange for three Minor Leaguers -- catcher Drew Millas (Oakland¡¯s No. 28 prospect, per MLB Pipeline) and right-handers Seth Shuman and Richard Guasch.
¡°Our goal was to give [A¡¯s manager] Bob [Melvin] as many options as possible to give him flexibility,¡± A¡¯s general manager David Forst said. ¡°A guy like Harrison, this is another player who can play infield and outfield. Another option against left-handed pitching, which is an area we felt like we needed to address. Gomes does that, too. He¡¯s raking against lefties this year and brings experience behind the plate.¡±
TRADE DETAILS
A's get: C Yan Gomes, UTIL Josh Harrison
Nationals get: C Drew Millas, RHP Seth Shuman, RHP Richard Guasch
Friday¡¯s five-player deal makes it four players acquired by the A¡¯s over the past five days as they gear up for an attempt at reaching the postseason for a fourth straight year, which currently sees them holding the second American League Wild Card spot. It started on Monday with the club addressing its need for another late-inning arm by trading for left-hander Andrew Chafin from the Cubs. Then came the first addition to improve an inconsistent offense with the acquisition of Starling Marte from the Marlins on Wednesday.
¡°I think we¡¯re all really excited with what we added,¡± Forst said. ¡°I saw some of the comments that came out of the clubhouse the other day after Starling got here. Hopefully, the effect in that room is that these guys get a little boost and understand we¡¯re confident in them for the last two months.?
¡°I know in talking to Bob over the last 24 hours, the guys feel pretty good about what our position is.¡±
Gomes, 34, was an important piece behind the plate for Washington during its run to a World Series title in 2019. The 2018 All-Star and 10-year veteran entered Friday slashing .271/.323/.454 with nine homers and 35 RBIs. He was also linked to the Blue Jays as recently as Thursday night.
Sean Murphy figures to remain as the primary backstop for Oakland. Gomes provides an upgrade to current backup option Aramis Garcia, who has struggled to hit in a limited role this season.
¡°Yan Gomes is like having a manager behind the plate,¡± Melvin said. ¡°He¡¯ll be able to take a little off of Murph¡¯s plate.¡±
Harrison, 34, provides supreme versatility. Though the majority of his time has come at second base, the two-time All-Star has also appeared in games at third and all three outfield spots this season. Harrison is slashing .294/.366/434 with six homers and 38 RBIs in 90 games with the Nationals. His presence could allow the A¡¯s to transition veteran second baseman Jed Lowrie into more of a platoon role at designated hitter along with Mitch Moreland.
How the A¡¯s plan to utilize Harrison is still to be determined. Melvin said he expects Harrison to get some starts and play ¡°all around,¡± but will have more clarity on that situation once the A¡¯s make corresponding roster moves to add both Harrison and Gomes to the 40-man and active rosters. Those transactions are expected to be detailed prior to Saturday¡¯s game against the Angels at Angel Stadium.