Kyle Blanks will join the team in Cleveland for Friday's series. Daric Barton has been designated for assignment to make room on the 25- and 40-man rosters.
Per Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle, the Athletics have acquired first baseman/outfielder Kyle Blanks for minor leaguer Jake Goebbert and a player to be named later. The A's have designated first baseman Daric Barton for assignment.
#Padres get Jake Goebbert from #Athletics and other player might be a PTBN.
— Susan Slusser (@susanslusser) May 15, 2014
Daric Barton has been designated for assignment.
— Jane Lee (@JaneMLB) May 15, 2014
If the Athletics elect to outright Daric Barton to Sacramento and he clears waivers, Barton may elect free agency for the independent reasons that he has greater than three years of MLB service time and has previously been outrighted in his career. Barton would not receive his salary if he elects free agency, and has previously not elected free agency when given the opportunity.
If Daric Barton clears waivers and is outrighted to Sacramento, this will be his eighth different season with the River Cats.
— River Cats (@RiverCats) May 15, 2014
Kyle Blanks has options remaining, and so the Athletics have flexibility if they want to give Nate Freiman an opportunity later in the season if Blanks does not work out as the right-handed portion of a first base platoon with Brandon Moss. Blanks also gives the A's additional choices in the outfield, important given Coco Crisp's knack for picking up day-to-day types of injuries.