The A's made a trade back in December that would send second baseman Jurickson Profar to the Padres. In return, Oakland acquired catcher Austin Allen and player to be named later named Buddy Reed.
That didn't take care of the second base need, at least when it came to an everyday starter. The free-agent list at the position remains somewhat full, but the idea of Jason Kipnis is fascinating.
The why's
For starters, the man knows the American League well having spent the entirety of his career with the Cleveland Indians. In related news, it doesn't appear the Indians are willing to re-sign him.