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Oakland A's infielder Kevin Kouzmanoff watches the flight of the ball as he takes batting practice during the first day of full squad workouts held at Papago Park Baseball Complex in Phoenix, Arizona on Monday, Feb. 21, 2011. (Dan Honda/Staff)

A's ship third baseman Kouzmanoff to Colorado

NEW YORK -- The A's traded third baseman Kevin Kouzmanoff to Colorado for a player to be named later or cash considerations on Tuesday, cutting ties with a player they once viewed as their long-term answer at the position.

Kouzmanoff began the season as Oakland's starting third baseman but was optioned to Triple-A Sacramento on June 6, having hit .221 with four homers and 17 RBIs. He also committed nine errors in 46 games.

The A's installed Scott Sizemore, a converted second baseman, at third once Kouzmanoff was demoted. But it stands to reason the A's might target third base for a potential upgrade this winter.

Sizemore, hitting .237, has cooled considerably of late, though he contributed a pinch-hit, two-run double in Tuesday's 6-5 victory over the Yankees.

"I think it's a spot we need to figure out moving forward," A's assistant general manager David Forst said. "Scott has done a nice job. I think he's certainly a guy we see in the plans. We'll figure out the offseason when the offseason gets here."

The Rockies planned to send Kouzmanoff to Triple-A Colorado Springs, but there was speculation he would be promoted to the majors quickly.

Kouzmanoff, 30, hit .302 with 13 homers and 58 RBIs in 61 games for Sacramento. He's making $4.75 million this season and would have been costly entering his final season of arbitration.

Oakland

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obtained Kouzmanoff in January 2010 from San Diego for outfielders Scott Hairston and Aaron Cunningham.

The A's sent cash to the Rockies to help offset the roughly $970,000 remaining on Kouzmanoff's salary.

  • Trevor Cahill will look to shake his history against the Yankees on Wednesday. He's 0-4 with a 13.50 ERA in four career starts, and in two outings at Yankee Stadium, he's allowed 18 earned runs in six innings.

    "It's kind of there, I guess, in the back of your head that you've struggled so bad against a team," Cahill said. "But I think the biggest thing is to go out and treat it like any other start."

  • The A's promoted catcher Anthony Recker from Sacramento to take the roster spot of Landon Powell, optioned Monday. To make room on the 40-man roster, the A's transferred reliever Trystan Magnuson (right shoulder tendinitis) to the 60-day disabled list.

    -- JOE STIGLICH