Padres send Kevin Kouzmanoff to A’s in 4-player trade

Posted on January 17, 2010

Kevin Kouzmanoff #5 of the San Diego Padres makes a play at third base against the San Francisco Giants during the game at AT&T Park on September 8, 2009 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Brad Mangin)

 

Good news for Oakland A’s fans! General Manager Billy Beane has FINALLY given up on perennially-injured third baseman Eric Chavez coming coming back healthy this year to anchor the infield. Beane made a major move to turn the page for the A’s in 2010 by acquiring young third baseman Kevin Kouzmanoff from the San Diego Padres in a 4-player trade this week. The A’s also acquired minor league infielder Eric Sogard for outfielders Scott Hairston and Aaron Cunningham.

Chavez was a young phenom out of San Diego when I shot his big league debut for the A’s way back in 1998 and he had some great years for the green and gold winning six Gold Glove Awards in a row (2001-2006) before back injuries slowed him down and ruined his career. The A’s can’t wait around for Chavvy to attempt another miracle comeback. They need to move forward and put a competitive ballclub on the field. This is a major step in the right direction.

Kouzmanoff is a fan-favorite in San Diego, with fans chanting “KOOOOZ” when he comes to bat or makes a nice play at third. He was acquired by the Padres in a big trade with the Cleveland Indians for Josh Barfield in 2006. Kouzmanoff stepped into an immediate starting role at third base for the Friars in 2007 and had a nice rookie year, batting .275 with 18 homers and 74 RBIs. He is coming off a 2009 campaign in which he hit .255 with 18 homers and 88 RBIs playing everyday in PETCO Park, which is murder on hitters. He should be able to put up bigger numbers playing in Oakland.

In an ironic twist in this trade, Kouzmanoff was traded for one of his best friends- Hairston. “It was kind of strange because when I heard Oakland I got all excited — I get to play ball again with one of my good friends,” Kouzmanoff said. “When I talked to Scott, he’s like, ‘Well, do you know who I was traded for?’ He said it was me. That was surprising because he just came from San Diego.”

I look forward to having a chance to photograph Kouzmanoff when the A’s play at Phoenix Muni this coming March in spring training, and when they come home to start the regular season in Oakland in April. He has always been very hard to shoot while hitting. From first base his right-handed swing does not look so good as his head is usually down when he connects with the ball, so you can’t see his face. He looks best from third base, but he has a two-handed finish that covers his face most of the time, so it is rare to get a nice frame of a follow through where his face is still visible (see above). One thing is for sure- I know I will have fun shooting Kouzmanoff playing defense at the hot corner. I love shooting third basemen making diving plays and Kooz should give me plenty of opportunities in 2010.