AP
For Kendall, a .306 career hitter who can effectively bat leadoff or second, the Pirates get left-hander Mark Redman to stabilize their oft-shaky rotation and left-handed reliever Arthur Rhodes. Both Redman and Rhodes had subpar 2004 seasons.
For the 30-year-old Kendall, who routinely leads the majors in games caught, it's the first career move after nine seasons with the Pirates. The Athletics covet him mostly for his career .387 on-base average — third-best all-time among catchers with 1,000 or more career games — though he rarely hits for power and has only 12 homers in three seasons since tearing a thumb ligament.
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