Alright everyone for the time I was away from these boards, I gathered sufficient knowledge about prospects. I doubt you guys will listen but for where the A's are know, it was an OK trade. First of all they got a 4th outfielder on a contending team with Matt Murton, I think he could be a decent pinch hitter; given the chance. They also recieved Eric Patterson, he plays RF/2B and although I don't understand why they need another OF, the part of him being able to play second-base if they deal or lose Ellis will help. He was one of their top prospects and when they found out they could not get top prospect 3B Josh Vitters in the deal they settled for a bundle of prospects. The other guy is Sean Marshall, he will probable wind-up in the bull-pen because he has not performed yet at the Major-League level and is too old to be a prospect know. Then they got the walk machine catcher Josh Donaldson, he is what Beane looks for in a player.
You may think this was lopsided but in the long-run this will help make the A's contenders.