Seth Smith

This morning another trade was announced as the A's sent Guillermo Moscoso and Josh Outman to the Rockies for outfielder Seth Smith. The deal solidifies an underrated outfield corps for Oakland, adding Smith to the mix with Coco Crisp and Josh Reddick. Smith, who stepped into the batters box 533 times last season, hit .284 and compiled an .347 OBP along with 15 HRs. Smith has a reputation for struggling against lefties, In 240 plate appearances, he hit .202 with a .269 OBP as opposed to his .290 average in 1210 plate appearances against right handers. However, 240 appearances out of 1450 is very much a miniscule statistic. And with Beane stating that Smith will become a "regular", it seems Smith will get his chances. Bill James has Smith's numbers projected at .281, .349 OBP, and 17 HRs in 144 games for 2012 with Oakland, which seems fairly resonable. I understand his power might have been exaggerated in Colorado, but his hits and walk rate were not.
I would characterize this deal as one that Oakland ended up winning. As opposed to the Gio, Cahill, and Bailey swaps, this trade was oriented to the present, and not the future. Also, Outman and Moscoso both put up low ERAs, but their numbers are not indicative of the future. If anything, we gain a starting outfielder for two pitchers who replaced Braden and Anderson (Who went down with season ending injuries). Moscoso and Outman do not factor into our future plans with Parker, Milone, Ross, Godfrey, Peacock, and Cole (Cole won't be ready for some time however) waiting in line.
This might not be the end of the trades either. With positions still backed up (Catcher, First Base, Bullpen), Suzuki, Barton, Balfour, or Fuentes could depart before the season begins.