OAKLAND, Calif. -- The Washington Nationals kept wheeling and dealing, trading catcher Yan Gomes and utilityman Josh Harrison to the Oakland Athletics for three minor leaguers on Friday.
Washington has dismantled its roster in a matter of 24 crazy hours. Ace pitcher Max Scherzer and All-Star shortstop Trea Turner were traded to the reigning World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers for four prospects Friday.
Relief pitcher Daniel Hudson was sent to the San Diego Padres late Thursday in a busy day of moves for retooling Washington, which acquired right-hander Mason Thompson and shortstop Jordy Barley in that move.
A little earlier, the Nationals traded All-Star slugger Kyle Schwarber to Boston for a minor league pitcher. Before that, they shipped closer Brad Hand to Toronto.
The defending AL West champion A’s are in second place behind rival Houston. On Monday, Oakland acquired left-hander Andrew Chafin from the Chicago Cubs for two minor leaguers, then traded for outfielder Starling Marte on Wednesday in a swap with the Marlins.
Gomes has had a resurgent year as the Nationals’ starting catcher, batting .271 with nine homers and 35 RBIs in 63 games. Harrison batted .294 with six homers and 38 RBIs in 90 games.
Oakland dealt catcher Drew Millas and right-handers Richard Guasch and Seth Shuman to Washington. The Nationals sent cash to Oakland to complete the deal.
The 23-year-old Guasch went 1-4 with a 4.67 ERA in 13 appearances for High-A Lansing this season. Shuman, also 23, went 2-3 with a 2.25 ERA in 13 appearances for Lansing. The switch-hitting Millas batted .255 in 59 games for Lansing.
