A’s Ship Andrew Bailey Out Of AL West

After sending Trevor Cahill to the desert in Arizona and Gio Gonzalez to the mean streets of D.C., it was just a matter of time before Billy Beane traded his closer Andrew Bailey. On Wednesday, Beane did just that without getting anywhere near the return he received for his starters.

Oakland traded Ryan Sweeney along with Bailey to Boston for Josh Reddick, Miles Head and Raul Alcantera. The A’s and Sox basically swapped fourth outfielders and the A’s get two prospects far from the majors in return for a closer with a history of injuries.

Bailey has been good for the A’s since arriving in 2009 with a career 2.07 ERA and 2.74 FIP (fielding independent pitching). So it’s more good news for the Angels. The Halos hit just .130/.184/.261 against Bailey over the past three seasons.

With an eye toward thriftiness and rebuilding, Oakland has turned over a good chunk of its 2011 roster. By my quick math, the A’s are going to have around four Major Leaguers on their roster next season.

I hear Jose Canseco is available. For anything. Designated hitter, beer league softball, unliscened MMA fights, childrens parties, weddings, ribbon cuttings…