Less than a year ago, the A's projected top four outfielders were Mark Kotsay, Nick Swisher, Milton Bradley and Shannon Stewart.
None of them is Oakland property any longer after the deal to send Kotsay to Atlanta was officially completed Monday. Kotsay was cleared by Atlanta's back specialist and later in the day, the commissioner's office accepted the financial terms; the A's are picking up $5 million of Kotsay's $7 million salary for 2008, along with his $325,000 relocation bonus.
As expected, the A's received right-handed reliever Joey Devine and a Class A pitcher, right-hander Jamie Richmond. Considering that Oakland is rebuilding and Kotsay is 32, coming off back surgery and not signed beyond this year, the deal appears to be a good one from the A's perspective. Devine was the Braves' first-round pick in 2005, and he already has big-league experience. Richmond is 21 years old and throws in the low 90s, according to assistant general manager David Forst.
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Kotsay Deal Finalized
Kotsay Deal Finalized
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