SD trades Cronenworth+Groome for Lowe+Brown+Irvin. Brown takes over 1B, Irvin a rotation spot (pushing Lugo to longman/spot starter where he's better), Lowe a LF/DH/2B if Kim is moved. Padres a more balanced defense with this, rotation is better too. Oakland trades Brown+Irvin for Paredes+Brujan+Fleming+Groome. Brown and Irvin aren't perfect trade pieces, but they sure look like better help in SD than on Oakland and are upgrades overall. A's return here is nice, Groome is a lotto pick, Fleming goes into the MLB mix and Paredes can start at 3B with Brujan in the 2B/OF mix too. This is a better result for a truly rebuilding team. Rays trade Brandon Lowe+Paredes+Brujan+Fleming for Cronenworth. This is a slight overpay but Cronenworth is paid very little, which the Rays like. They will take the hit in their 3B mix or even plug Cro in there. Losing Lowe stings but Cronenworth does everything really well and the Rays like that.

This is a laughable trade for the Rays. It has the Rays trading their best bat (at a discount value because of last year's injury) and breakout player Paredes for Cronenworth. Now, Cronenworth is good, but his bat is significantly weaker than Lowe's and I would argue is weaker than Paredes too. On top of that, this trade has the Rays trading 2 infield starters in return for 1 starter, thus creating a need for another starter. If the Rays fill that hole internally, it's likely they replace a productive player with someone with negative WAR. Just an awful trade for the Rays.

Down vote for Oakland. Brujan has struggled to hit fastballs in his brief looks and as an out-of-options player, he has to produce immediately to keep a spot on the big league roster. He's got tools but it's an unnecessary risk to take on at the price; I think there's a good chance Tampa Bay puts him on the waiver wire at the end of Spring Training and that's where the A's could snag him. Oakland signed Jace Peterson to play 3B in 2023 and with Zack Gelof looking like he's the long-term plan at 2B I don't see a good spot for Paredes. Fleming offers the A's more depth but they already have multiple arms in-house that could compete to fill Irvin's spot in the rotation.