Chad, Kevin Smith Optioned to Las Vegas

The Oakland A's made a couple of moves official on Tuesday ahead of the Opening Day roster deadline

After Monday night's game against the San Francisco Giants, it was reported that Kevin Smith had not made the Oakland A's Opening Day roster. On Tuesday, that move was made official. 

Smith, who had been getting some time at his natural shortstop this spring, put up the stats to make the club. He went 17-for-43 (.395) to go along with a .469 on-base, a pair of homers, three doubles, and 15 rbi. It certainly looked like he had done enough to make this club. 

Now he'll report to Triple-A Las Vegas where he'll be the team's primary shortstop to begin the season. 

The A's also optioned reliever Chad Smith (per the team's transactions page), whom they acquired from the Colorado Rockies in exchange for 2020's second-round pick Jeff Criswell. 

Chad Smith also had a solid spring, posting a 3.12 ERA across 8.2 innings, striking out nine. He walked five in that time, but only allowed four hits all spring, and three of those came in his first outing with his new club. That was also the only outing that he allowed any runs. 

In the month of March Smith held a 0.00 ERA in 7.2 innings, gave up one hit, walked four and hit a batter while striking out eight. He had a 0.65 WHIP.

While Kevin Smith gets to go to Vegas and watch the ball fly, Chad Smith gets to go to a very unfriendly league for pitchers due to how the ball travels. 

This could ultimately be a quick stop for each player, as both should be atop their respective depth charts if the need should arise for a replacement at either shortstop or third base for Kevin, or in the bullpen for Chad. 

The A's have loaded up on veteran relievers this off-season, bringing in Trevor May back in December, then signing Drew Steckenrider in February, and Jeurys Familia just last week. All three look to be in the A's bullpen to begin the season, but all three are also likely to be trade bait at the deadline if they're having the kinds of seasons the A's are hoping for. 

For Kevin, he's just going to have to keep hitting like he has since last September in Triple-A (.365 average, .405 OBP, 11 HR, 19 rbi, 2 SB) to leave no doubt in the minds of the decision-makers that he is ready for another look.