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There had been rumors of this pending trade but it was officially announced Thursday that the Oakland Athletics have indeed traded minor league outfielder Jake Goebbert and a player to be named later to the San Diego Padres for first baseman/outfielder Kyle Blanks. Blanks was just optioned to Triple-A El Paso on Wednesday to make room for Carlos Quentin, who was activated from the…

The A’s avoided being swept on Sunday with a 3-2 extra inning win over Boston. The 10-inning win was possible thanks to Yoenis Cespedes’ quick feet and Daric Barton’s quick thinking.

The A’s struck first in the 1st inning after Josh Donaldson walked and stole second and Brandon Moss hit him in.

Oakland would’ve had another run in the 3rd, but Donaldson was called out at home after Moss’ double.

Boston got a run in the 5th after a Grady Sizemore double scored Mike Carp, tying the game at 1. The A’s got the lead back after Yoenis Cespedes doubled in Donaldson. A.J. Pierzynski tied the game at 2 after a home run off Sonny Gray, unfortunately.

Both teams had base runners in the 9th, but neither team scored, forcing extras.

In the 10th, Jed Lowrie doubled to get a runner in scoring position. Donaldson intentionally walked and Alberto Callaspo walked directly after to load the bases. Thanks to Cespedes and his speed, he was safe at first, scoring Lowrie.

Daric Barton had a heads up play in the bottom of the 10th to help get the first out for the Red Sox, preventing them from scoring.

Oakland had 8 hits on the day on Sunday. Donaldson went 1-for-2 with 3 walks. He also scored twice. Moss went 2-for-4 and hit his 4th double of the season.

Coco Crisp struggled on Sunday, going 0-for-5 with a strikeout.

Josh Reddick also struggled, striking out twice.

Derek Norris stayed hot and went 1-for-2 with 2 walks.

Sonny Gray had yet another solid outing going 6 innings. He allowed just 6 hits and 2 runs. His ERA is at a lovely 1.91.

Fernando Abad pitched ⅔ of an inning and continued to be Fernando Abad.

Luke Gregerson, Sean Doolittle, and Jim Johnson were flawless yet again allowing just 3 hits and no runs. Johnson got the win, his 3rd of the season.

Gray Shows Why It's Always Sonny in Oakland

In Monday’s game in Arlington, TX the Oakland Athletics faced off against the Texas Rangers. It was A’s “rookie” (it is his first full season in the majors, he pitched just over the rookie minimum number of innings  pitched last season with 64.0) Sonny Gray on the mound facing off against the Rangers’ ace Yu Darvish. It was Gray’s day to shine and show everyone why it’s always “Sonny” in Oakland.

MLB Opening Night: Sonny Gray Shows Poise In No Decision Against Indians

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For the first time since 2009 the Oakland Athletics opened their season against an opponent not named the Seattle Mariners. The A’s have lost all four of those and nine straight openers overall. Tonight faced off against a talented Cleveland Indians team.

Sonny Gray got the start and even though he had a number of innings where he struggled to find the place he showcased…

With the season beginning tomorrow, Spring Training for the Oakland A’s has come to an end. It was a good run, with the team ending the season 15-13, finishing with a two game sweep of the Giants in San Francisco Thursday and Friday night. There were many things the A’s are taking from this Spring, and many things they would like to forget.

On the plus side, spring training helped many players prove that they belonged on the 25 man roster. Some shocking picks were Daric Barton and John Jaso. Okay, so maybe they weren’t so shocking seeing as the A’s need another first baseman to stick out there. So, Daric Barton is the only logical decision, going with the platoon at first between Daric Barton and Brandon Moss. John Jaso (.267 average in 45-at-bats) would be a shocking pick seeing as Stephen Vogt (.349 average in 43-at-bats) got cut and is now making the trip to Triple-A Sacramento. Other than that, there are the usual big names on the roster; Josh Donaldson, Coco Crisp, and Yoenis Cespedes just to name a few.

The A’s took a few major hits to their pitching staff this Spring. Jarrod Parker is out for the season due to his second Tommy John surgery, putting him on the 60-day DL. He underwent successful surgery on March 24. He’ll need 16 months of rehab and should be ready by the end of the 2015 season. This was a downer for the rotation, but thankfully Jesse Chavez stepped in to save the day with a 2.74 ERA in the 23 innings he pitched this Spring. He made sure he was going to be included in the pitching staff, and ended up winning himself a spot in the rotation as the third starter.

AJ Griffin also went down this Spring who began feeling elbow soreness. This caused Griffin to also be placed on the DL, but as a relief for the Athletics, it is only the 15-day DL. Griffin is shut down for three weeks dating back to March 21st. Tommy Milone will be taking his spot in the starting rotation rather than being a reliever. Ryan Cook is also beginning the season on the 15-day disabled list, but should be back in time for the weekend series against the Mariners.

Another small injury on the A’s was outfielder Craig Gentry, dealing with a back injury. Gentry will begin the season on the DL, but should also be back in time for the Mariners series with Cook. For now, Sam Fuld will be there to take his place.

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On Monday Oakland Athletics’ catcher John Jaso caught his second straight game for not just for the first time this spring but for the first time since last July. On July 24, 2013 Jaso was struck on his mask by a pitch that left him with a concussion so severe that it took him more than just the remainder of the season to recover from.

Jaso was Oakland’s main catcher…

CSN Bay Area’s Joe Stiglich reports that Daric Barton, Seth Smith, Jerry Blevins and Fernando Rodriguez (the other one) headline the list of player that could be non-tendered by the Athletics today.

Barton is the Athletics’ longest-tenured player, having…