A’s acquire Zobrist, Escobar from Rays in five-player swap

Most figured Ben Zobrist would be elsewhere in 2015. On Saturday, that speculation came to fruition when the Rays traded one of the most popular players in team history to the A’s. The surprise came in the fact that Yunel Escobar joined him. In return for their shortstop and utility man, the Rays received catcher John Jaso and a pair of prospects, shortstop Daniel Robertson and outfielder Boog Powell.