A’s trade Chris Coghlan to Cubs for Arismendy Alcantara

The Athletics have traded infielder/outfielder Chris Coghlan to the Cubs for infielder Arismendy Alcantara, according to a tweet from the A’s. Arismendy will report to Triple-A Nashville.

Coghlan signed a one-year, $4.8 million deal with the Cubs this past January before being traded to the A’s in February. In 51 games, Coghlan hit .146/.215/.487. However, with the Cubs’ recent injury problems—Jorge Soler is on the DL and Tommy La Stella is on his way there, too—adding depth in Coghlan makes sense. And it’s not unfamiliar territory for Coghlan, who spent 2014 and 2015 in the friendly confines, hitting .265/.346/.447 in those two seasons.

Alcantara, who is currently playing in Triple-A Iowa, played 11 games with the Cubs last season. In Iowa, he is hitting .264/.315/.437, which might leave a lot to be desired in the hitter-friendly Pacific Coast League. He has, however, also hit five home runs and driven in 21 runs. On the other hand, he has also struck out 61 times and walked 15 times this season.

With the Athletics’ season looking bleak and the Cubs’ season looking to go as far as possible, it makes sense that the Cubs are going to add depth where they can, especially in the case of injuries. With the A’s, though, well, hope springs eternal.