Just a few days after designating first baseman Ike Davis for assignment, the Pittsburgh Pirates made a minor trade on Sunday by sending Davis to the Oakland A’s.
In exchange, the Pirates and A’s swapped International bonus slot money.
The Pirates acquired bonus slot 27, from Oakland, which is worth $501,900. The Pirates can combine that with its own slot, just above Oakland’s, and spend a little more on the international market.
The A’s got international slot No. 86 ($232,000) from Pittsburgh, so the net result is about $270,000 in slot money to the Pirates) and Oakland also designated outfielder Andrew Brown for assignment to make room for Davis on the 40-man roster.
The 27-year-old Davis slashed .235/.343/.378 with ten home runs in 397 plate appearances for the Pirates and is set to likely earn more than $4 million his second time through arbitration.
The move also means that the Pirates are committed to moving Pedro Alvarez to first base on a full-time basis.
The team wasn’t going into the season with two arbitration eligible left-hand hitting first baseman, so it made sense to part ways with Davis.
The Pirates also have Gaby Sanchez heading into arbitration, so it remains to be seen if they tender him a contract or look for depth at the position outside of the organization.
Photo Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
