Today, the Chicago Cubs traded outfielder Chris Coghlan to the Oakland A’s for pitcher Aaron Brooks. The latter was formerly a prospect with the Royals before being acquired by the A’s in the midseason Ben Zobrist trade in 2015. We’ll have much more on him soon, but I’m thinking the acquisition is as much about 2017 and beyond as it is about needing any additional pitching depth for 2016.

I’m at the backfields today for Spring Training, so this will all require some more deconstruction later – the roster and positional implications are significant. The short version is that Coghlan’s tricky fight for playing time is now settled, and the Cubs’ path to adding another outfielder – one who can cover all three spots, preferably – is much more clear. Coghlan’s bat will be missed as a reserve, but if the Cubs could bring in a guy who can play center field, it’s probably a better fit for the roster. This move also probably clears more playing time for Javy Baez when everyone is healthy.

I’ve got mixed feelings, but I’ll need more time to digest – when I’m not sitting on a bench watching fielding and batting practice.

Coghlan, who will be a free agent after this season, was a tremendous reclamation for the Cubs, and will hopefully continue to succeed in Oakland.