The first official MLB trade since the 2020 roster freeze was lifted involves a former Yankees prospect.
On Tuesday, the Oakland Athletics dealt infielder/outfielder Jorge Mateo to San Diego in exchange for a player to be named or cash considerations.
Mateo, who was part of the deal that sent Sonny Gray to the Yankees in 2017, was ranked by MLB.com as the No. 7 prospect in the A's organization – what was five spots ahead of RHP James Kaprielian, another piece of the Gray deal. Mateo hit .289 with 19 home runs, 78 RBI, and 24 steals in 119 games at Triple-A Las Vegas last season, and he has a career .267/.325/.422 slash line in eight minor-league seasons.
The 25-year-old speedster also has 283 steals in his career, a number that may come into play in the Padres' decision to add him, given that all extra innings in games this season 2020 will begin with a runner on second base – making a speedy pinch-runner a previous luxury teams may now deem a necessity on their extended bench.
Mateo is out of options, and according to MLB.com's AJ Cassavell, he is expected to be added to the Padres' 60-man player pool with a chance to play both middle infield spots as well as some center field.
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