A’s Acquire Austin Wynns

Bulking up the catching department

With starting catcher Shea Langeliers down for a while with an oblique strain, the Athletics decided to shore up their catching depth, acquiring Austin Wynns in a trade with the Cincinnati Reds:

The seven-year veteran has bounced around the league a bit during his career but spent last season and this year in Cincy organization, playing in just 7 games last year and 18 this year with the big league team. He’s never been known as on offensive threat but has hit well in his small sample with the Reds, going 16-for-40 with three home runs this season. The 34-year-old will likely split time with whoever the A’s elect to keep on the active roster, either Jhonny Pereda or Willie MacIver. The team hasn’t made a decision there yet.

To make room on the 40-man roster the club is designating right-handed pitcher Carlos Duran for assignment. Acquired just a couple of games into the season from the Dodgers in exchange for former outfielder Esteury Ruiz, Duran made his big league debut with the A’s earlier this season, making it into just one game. That appearance didn’t go well as he allowed three runs and got just one out before getting sent back to the minors. Things haven’t improved for him with the Aviators as he’s sporting a flat 8.00 ERA in 15 games. He’ll now pass through waivers and be offered to every team in the league, but with those poor numbers at Triple-A this year he could go unclaimed and stick around in the organization.