It's been rumored for a few days now that Mark Kotsay has been traded to the Atlanta Braves for pitchers Joey Devine and Jamie Richmond.  I've been waiting to post on this until the trade went through, and it finally did this afternoon.  The trade was delayed because Kotsay had to pass his physical.

I will certainly miss Kotsay's hustle and gritty play in the outfield.  He was never a superstar, but he was always a great team leader and a real glue guy for the club.  However, with his recent health issues, it is time for Oakland to find a replacement for him in center field.

In Joey Devine, Oakland is getting another young player that might be a year or two away from seriously contributing.  He has a live arm and throws some heat, but his control is not the greatest and he gets lit up when he does pitch.  It's already rumored that Devine may take over as the closer if Huston Street is to get traded.  I know nothing about Jamie Richmond.

Billy Beane has now moved Marco Scutaro, Dan Haren, Connor Robertson, Nick Swisher, and Mark Kotsay this off season.  In return, the A's have added 13 players to bolster their farm system.

There is still the possibility that Dan Johnson, Joe Blanton, and Huston Street will be dealt as well.