Athletics have plenty of reasons to trade fan favorite defensive wizard
This A's outfielder could be on the move this upcoming offseason.
The Athletics are in a rebuilding phase for their move to Las Vegas, and their pitching staff requires significant improvement. While they could sign free agents, trading for players might yield more substantial upgrades. One potential trade target is Denzel Clarke, the center field wizard, who has showcased exceptional defensive skills.
According to Mark Feinsand of MLB.com, the Athletics could trade Clarke for multiple reasons. Clarke is set to enter arbitration in at least a year, making him a cost-effective option for teams looking for help in center field. The Athletics possess a robust outfield lineup, comprising Lawrence Butler, Henry Bolte, Carlos Cortes, and Tyler Soderstrom, which makes Clarke expendable.
Although Clarke is a gifted defender, his offensive production fails to meet expectations. Over his two MLB seasons, he has posted a .207 batting average, a .565 OPS, and 56 OPS+. With just 0.4 bWAR in 75 games, Clarke is a net negative offensively, having struck out 87 times and walked 11 times while hitting only three home runs and driving in nine runs.
Given his defensive prowess but lack of offensive skills, trading Clarke for pitching help seems like a logical move for the Athletics this offseason. His contract status through the 2031 season and affordability make him an appealing trade candidate, despite his entertaining play in center field.
Written by urgent.news from Yahoo Sports's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
