Josh Donaldson trade

Oakland A's fans are freaking out over the Donaldson trade because he had emerged as a star over the last couple of years - now fan favorite Donaldson goes to the Toronto Blue Jays in exchange for scratch offs and A's fans wonder if general manager Billy Beane has lost it.

If I was an A's fan, I'd probably be sick to my stomach but Beane has to make moves - even if it meant sacrificing someone like Donaldson, who has a Twitter account that he uses to trade for his own baseball card and someone who really seems approachable for a big leaguer on a 'small market,' MLB team.

In return, the A's get back Brett Lawrie, who has been up-and-down with injuries - Lawrie's talent is intriguing but can he stay healthy for 130-140 games?

I think the A's let Lawrie stick at third base [where he has played most of his MLB career] - until top prospect Renato Nunez is ready to make the jump to the Major Leagues at some point late next season.

Lefty starting pitcher Sean Nolin might be a decent for at least a few years - a guy that can be plugged into the rotation as a No. 4 starter and contribute immediately next year.

I didn't know what a Kendall Graveman was before the trade and was surprised he reached the major leagues this past season - Graveman has put together some good numbers in the minors, but my best guess is that his upside is relatively limited [though might be useful if put into the right situations].

Minor league shortstop Franklin Barreto maybe the 'get' of the trade for the A's - though he might be at least a couple of years away, he's been able to hit a little bit and because of his youth, is bound to get better.

Featured autograph - Josh Donaldson

Someone asked me who Donaldson was when he was dropped off at Angel stadium as a visiting player a couple of years back and I referred to him the 'scrubbliest of scrubs -' it took some time, but the Oakland third baseman has stuck in the Big Leagues in 2013 and emerged into a fun player to watch on a day-to-day basis.

I wish the Angels had stumbled upon someone like him instead of a guy who plays like a stiff at times in Alberto Callaspo - Donaldson plays some good defense, gives you some pop and has 'clutched up' at times, getting big hits for the front-running Athletics at the most opportune moments over the past couple of seasons.

I think I got Donaldson to sign my card during a past spring training trip either in 2009 or 2010 - his autograph has gotten sloppier over the last several years I've gotten him to sign, though he's been always accommodating about doing it.