Former Texas Rangers shortstop Elvis Andrus throws the ball in this Mar 11, 2020 photo as Andrus heads to the Oakland A’s as the A’s were looking for a shortstop (AP News photo)

Krush for Elvis-A Trade of Convenience-

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-González

OAKLAND–The Oakland Athletics do not have to look anymore for an everyday shortstop, after Marcus Semien left for Toronto. Today, the A’s and the Rangers made an interesting trade. The A’s traded Khris Davis DH/outfielder to the Texas Rangers for shortstop Elvis Andrus and catcher Aramis García, who played for the Giants last year. In the deal the A’s also send young catcher Jonah Heim as well as minor league right-handed pitcher Dave Acker to the Rangers.

Elvis Andrus began his 12 year career with the Rangers in 2009 and he showed how good he was going to be when he visited the Oakland Coliseum during his very first trip. Last season he hit .197 with three home runs and seven runs batted in a total of 27 games. However, he is a career .274 hitter with 1,628 games played at shortstop, most by a shortstop in Major League Baseball since that debut during a night game at Oakland.

Khris “Krush” Davis hit only .200 with 2 home runs and ten runs batted in 30 games last season. He was a very productive slugger specially during a three-year period with the A’s from 2016 to 2018 when he hit over 40 home runs and 100 runs batted-in or more each season.

The proverbial trade of convenience, because both players needed a change of scenery, both had down years in 2020 but if they can regain some of their productivity at the plate, it could benefit both ball-clubs as well as prolong their careers. Elvis Andrus has been a solid defensive shortstop and a very productive hitter, with excellent speed running the bases.

When I first saw Elvis Andrus during the first game he ever played at the Coliseum he showed tremendous defensive skills and as a hitter not an easy out, top-of-the-order hitter with good speed.

I remember at that time (first time we saw him play) we spoke highly of him during our Spanish broadcast of the Atléticos Radio Network. In 2019 and 2020 Khris Davis lost his confidence after the A’s signed him for a two year deal.

Krush gave A’s fans a lot of thrills, the young man of an African-American father and Mexican mother is a good guy, decent man but his swing was just not there. A’s players got along well with Krush and we wish him nothing but the best in Texas, a ballpark much more friendlier for his home-run swing than the Oakland Coliseum.

Andrus was tutored back in his early years by Omar Vizquel, one of the greatest defensive shortstops in history. Andrus as well as Vizquel both from Venezuela, the land of shortstops and Elvis Andrus always will be grateful to his compatriot.

Some of the other shortstops from Venezuela: Chico Carrasquel, Luis Aparicio (Hall of Fame), David Concepción, Omar Vizquel, Ozzie Guillén, Carlos Guillén, Alcides Escobar, Alex González, César Izturis, Eugenio Sánchez, Gleyber Torres. It is my opinion that Dave Concepción as well as Omar Vizquel should join Luis Aparicio someday in the Hall of Fame at Cooperstown.

Stay well and stay tuned.

Amaury Pi Gonzalez is the lead play by play talent for the Oakland A’s Spanish flagship station 1010 KIQI LeGrande San Francisco and does News and Commentary at http://www.sportsradioservice.com