Trade Central: Brewers Acquire Nottingham For Khris Davis

THE DEAL

In what could be a prelude to a deal involving catcher Jonathan Lucroy, the Brewers and ever-busy general manager David Stearns sent righthanded slugger Khris Davis to Oakland for bat-first catcher Jacob Nottingham and righthander Bubba Derby, a 2015 sixth-round pick from San Diego State.

Stearns is well-acquainted with Nottingham, as he was assistant GM in Houston when the organization drafted him out of high school in the sixth round in 2013.

It was the second trade in six months for Nottingham, a physical, righthanded hitter who turned down a football scholarship at Arizona for pro ball. The Astros traded Nottingham to the A’s for Scott Kazmir in July.

It’s the ninth deal for Stearns since he replaced Doug Melvin in September.

Davis was a late bloomer for the Brewers, breaking through in 2013 at 25 after being drafted out of Cal State Fullerton in the sixth round in 2009.

BREWERS ACQUIRE
Jacob Nottingham, c
Age: 20

A two-sport linebacker/catcher at Redlands High, Nottingham took a big step forward at the plate in 2015, his first crack at full-season ball. He was on pace to lead the MWL in average (.326), on-base percentage (.387) and slugging (.543) at Quad Cities prior to his promotion to high Class A Lancaster. The Astros then traded him to the Athletics.

Nottingham has excellent strength with above-average power and a potentially average hit tool. His power isn’t only to his pull side, and he impressed managers with his ability to drive the ball out to right field.

Evaluators are less enthused about Nottingham’s defense, although the A’s were encouraged by his play in the instructional league. He can be stiff as a receiver, which leads some scouts to project him as a first baseman. He has a solid arm—he threw out 38 percent of basestealers—but his agility and hands need work as he committed 19 passed balls in 89 games behind the plate.

Club (League)	Class	AVG	G	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	BB	SO	SB	OBP	SLG
Quad Cities (MWL)	LoA	.326	59	230	34	75	18	1	10	46	18	51	1	.387	.543
Lancaster (CAL)	HiA	.324	17	71	14	23	6	1	4	14	3	10	0	.368	.606
Stockton (CAL)	HiA	.299	43	164	25	49	9	0	3	22	12	38	1	.352	.409

Bubba Derby, rhp
Age: 21

The smallish (5-foot-11, 190 pounds) Derby had a knack of missing bats at San Diego State and that carried into his pro debut. He closed as a freshman but moved into the rotation his final two years and the A’s had him start to build up innings. Derby has touched 94-95 mph in the past but usually pitches at 89-92 as a starter, working up and down with his fairly straight fastball, then can get them out with a hard, slurry slider, good mid-70s curveball and solid-average changeup.

Club (League)	Class	W	L	ERA	G	GS	IP	H	R	ER	HR	BB	SO	AVG
Athletics (AZL)	R	0	1	6.75	2	2	3	5	3	2	0	0	2	.385
Vermont (NYP)	SS	1	0	0.78	12	8	35	19	4	3	2	10	45	.161

A’s ACQUIRE
Khris Davis, of
Age: 28

Davis was productive in the minors, but his reputation for streakiness and defensive limitations slowed his progress. He finally broke through in 2013, mashing (.943 OPS) in the final two months to force the Brewers to take notice. While Davis provided power, his play in left field was below average and his weak throwing arm limited him to that spot.

Although he’s just 28 and still not arbitration eligible, Stearns has made it clear the Brewers were looking for more controllable talent as the organization rebuilds. Davis also did not have strong on-base numbers (.315 OPS), nor did he play solid defense—stated preferences of the new regime.

In addition, the acquisitions of Brett Phillips and Domingo Santana from the Astros crowded the outfield picture, with Santana expected to win a spot in spring training following an impressive stint in 2015.

For the A’s, Davis adds some thump.

“We talk about righthanded power here every year, and Khris adds that,” GM Davis Forst told reporters. “We look forward to having Danny (Valencia) a full year and expect Billy (Butler) to bounce back. We have the makings of a really good middle of the lineup right now.”