Padres Acquire Jake Goebbert from Athletics

Feb 21, 2013; Kissimmee, FL, USA; Houston Astros outfielder Jake Goebbert during photo day at Osceola County Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

So far this season, there have not been many big name prospects traded, but the season is still early. Once prized prospect Kyle Blanks is now on his way to the Oakland Athletics, per many sources including SB Nation’s Daily Dish. In exchange, the San Diego Padres receive minor league outfielder Jake Goebbert and a player to be named later.

Goebbert is a 26-year old outfielder the A’s acquired from the Houston Astros for Travis Blackley in 2013. Goebbert has a solid approach at the plate, putting up a career .361 OBP, but has yet to make his big league debut.

He once stole 14 bags back in 2010, but has traded in speed for more of a power stroke recently, as he put up 22 home runs between Double-A and Triple-A in 2013 while stealing just six bags.

Goebbert will probably serve purely as organizational depth, as the Padres big league roster has a plethora of outfield options.

There is no word yet on who the player to be named later might be, and it may also be cash considerations, but it seems as though it was more a case of the Padres offloading a player that never lived up to his potential.

Blanks will take the roll as first baseman against left-handers as the A’s designated Daric Barton for assignment. Goebbert will not take up a 40-man roster spot, giving the Padres some extra roster flexibility, especially with the team already having lost three pitchers to Tommy John Surgery since March.