The Oakland Athletics and San Diego Padres, both among the more hyperactive front offices so far this offseason, made a swap on Thursday night that managed to address a critical weakness on both sides. The A's probably get more value in the end, but the Padres get a catcher with a rare offensive skill set and some further growth potential remaining.

Derek Norris is a perfect part-time catcher and first baseman for a team desperate to add some offense -- the 2014 Padres were a few hundred runs below the poverty line -- at just about any position. Norris rakes against left-handed pitching,