A’s Option Derek Norris
Derek Norris was optioned to Triple-A Sacramento today in advance of the A’s matchup against the Rays as new addition George Kottaras was added to the roster. The presumed catcher of the future for the A’s had hit to a .195/.262/.325 slash line for a wOBA of .264 and a wRC+ of 65. In summation he was worth 0.1 WAR across his 84 plate appearances in his time with the A’s.
Do I like this move? Truth be told yes. There are many who argue that he is ready now, well those numbers above are not indicative of his handling MLB caliber pitching. There is no harm in him going to Sacramento for the month of August and refining his play and helping the A’s in the stretch run when rosters are expanded in September. Furthermore, I still believe that Kurt Suzuki is a likely trade candidate and if so, we could be seeing Norris back up after ten days have elapsed. Perhaps the biggest winners in the interim could be Josh Donaldson or Anthony Recker. Kottaras meanwhile gives the A’s a solid hitter with solid on base percentage chops, which is a great improvement over the weak hitting of both Suzuki and Norris. While I am not crazy about parting with Fautino De Los Santos this was a good move to improve the club today, without sacrificing much of the future. May Norris come back strong in September is what I say.
