Cubs.com wrote:The A's on Monday traded veteran catcher Jason Kendall to the Chicago Cubs, MLB.com has learned.
Kendall wasn't in Oakland's starting lineup for the opener of a three-game series against the visiting Texas Rangers on Monday, nor did he join the team for batting practice. Several sources confirmed that he was in the A's clubhouse, showering and packing for a flight to Chicago, where the Cubs are hosting the Giants in a four-game series.
Contacted by phone early Monday evening, A's general manager Billy Beane confirmed the deal but would not reveal the name of the player being acquired in exchange for Kendall. MLB.com has learned that the player is a Minor League left-handed pitcher.
Beane said the decision to deal Kendall wasn't easy given Kendall's rapport with Oakland's promising collection of young pitchers, headlined by Dan Haren, Joe Blanton and Chad Gaudin, but noted that rookie Kurt Suzuki appears ready for "baptism by fire."
"We've always been an organization that's given young guys a chance, and we think Kurt deserves a chance right now," Beane said of Suzuki, who was batting .269 in 10 games with Oakland through Sunday.
"And at the same time, this gives Jason, whom I have nothing but respect for, a chance to go somewhere he can play every day -- and play for a very good team with a good chance of making the playoffs.
"I think this works out well for both sides."
Acquired in a November 2004 trade with the Pittsburgh Pirates, Kendall batted .271 in his first season with the A's and batted .295 in 2006 while helping Oakland reach the American League Championship Series by hitting .323 with 50 runs scored in 70 games after the All-Star break.
Scheduled to make more than $13.4 million this season -- the Pirates are reportedly paying $5 million of it -- in the final year of his contract, Kendall was batting .226 with two homers, 26 RBIs and an on-base percentage of .261 through Sunday.
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Should be in uniform tomorrow night.
