The Oakland Athletics are re-constructing their roster after a troubling season in which the club finished last place in the American League.
To jump start the changes, the Athletics dealt for versatile infielder Jed Lowrie on Wednesday, creating a bit of a logjam on the depth chart.
Lowrie is projected to start next season at second base, which makes either Brett Lawrie or Danny Valencia a logical trade candidate.
According to Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle, Lawrie and Valencia are already drawing interest from American League teams, but the 25-year-old Canadian is the “better bet to be moved.”
Lawrie was acquired by the Athletics last November in a five-player trade with the Toronto Blue Jays in exchange for third baseman Josh Donaldson.
The former Blue Jay began the 2015 season as the every day third baseman but shifted over to second base once the Athletics claimed Danny Valencia off waivers from the Blue Jays this past August.
Lawrie appeared in 149 games for Oakland, hitting .260/.299/.407 with 16 home runs, 60 RBI, five stolen bases, 28 walks, and a career-high 144 strikeouts in 602 plate appearances.