Yesterday, the Oakland Athletics traded Jason Kendall to the Chicago Cubs for Rob Bowen and a minor league pitcher, Jerry Blevens. When I originally heard the story on Baseball Tonight, they said the trade was for Sean Marshall and I was very happy. Then I saw the actual trade details and there was no Sean Marshall.

Now I am sitting here thinking about why this trade was made. I know that Billy Beane is a genius when it comes to trades, but Bowen figures to be the odd man out when he arrives in Oakland. Mike Piazza will be doing some catching along with Kurt Suzuki, the rookie who is going to be the catcher for the next few years. Blevens looks like he is a reliever, 3-2 with 9 saves. I don't know anything about him, but I am assuming/hoping this wasn't just a salary dump by Oakland.