OAKLAND -- The A’s haven’t been known to make high-profile moves at the Winter Meetings, but many low-key transactions that resulted from discussions at the event have contributed to the start of impressive runs for the club over the years.

This year, things will look a bit different as teams will take part in the Winter Meetings remotely due to the coronavirus pandemic, but you can expect A’s executive vice president Billy Beane to aggressively engage in talks with clubs and free agents as usual.

As the “virtual” Winter Meetings get underway, here’s a look back at the Top 5 Winter Meetings transactions in A’s history:

1. Dec. 11, 1987: A’s land Bob Welch in three-team deal with Dodgers, Mets
In an offseason when then-general manager Sandy Alderson bolstered the A’s offense with the additions of Dave Henderson and Dave Parker, the acquisition of Welch from the Dodgers in a major three-team trade involving eight players may have been the key in setting up the club up for one of its most impressive three-year runs in franchise history. In addition to Welch, the A’s also received former All-Star left-hander Matt Young from Los Angeles. The A’s sent Alfredo Griffin and Jay Howell to the Dodgers, and Kevin Tapani and Wally Whitehurst to the Mets.

The A’s reached the World Series in each of Welch’s first three seasons with Oakland, with the right-hander anchoring the rotation each year as he quickly acclimated to the switch from the National League to the American League by establishing himself as one of the league’s best pitchers. The A’s won the World Series in 1989, and Welch won the AL Cy Young Award in ‘90 after going 27-6 with a 2.95 ERA. Welch finished his career with the A’s, going 96-60 with a 3.94 ERA over seven seasons. After retirement, Welch returned to the organization as a Minor League pitching coach before passing away in a tragic accident in 2014.

2. Dec. 18, 2004: An ace for an ace, A’s trade Mark Mulder for Dan Haren and two others
The offseason following the 2004 season did not go over well with A’s fans. With star pitchers Tim Hudson and Mulder due for pricey raises in salary, the A’s elected to trade both away for a package of prospects in separate deals. While the trade of Hudson to the Braves did not produce the results they hoped for, the deal of Mulder to the Cardinals brought the A’s a young anchor to the rotation in Haren, as well as productive players in Kiko Calero and Daric Barton. Haren would play three seasons for the A’s before being traded to the D-backs in ‘07. In that time, the right-hander went 43-34 with a 3.64 ERA over 102 starts, helping to lead the A’s to an appearance in the AL Championship Series in ‘06.

3. Dec. 28, 2011: A’s trade for Josh Reddick
Trading away two-time All-Star closer Andrew Bailey was not a popular move among the A’s fan base, but that feeling quickly changed once the deal of Bailey and Ryan Sweeney to the Red Sox netted Oakland Reddick, along with Minor Leaguers Miles Head and Raul Alcantara. Reddick instantly became a fan favorite and integral part of the strong A’s clubs that reached the postseason for three straight years from 2012-14. The outfielder made a strong impression in his debut season with Oakland, batting .242 while leading the club in home runs (32) and RBIs (85).

4. Dec. 4, 2013: A’s sign Scott Kazmir
Over the past decade, Oakland has built up a reputation as a club known for recapturing the magic with veteran starting pitchers, and Kazmir was one of the first. Signed to a two-year deal, Kazmir quickly rejuvenated his career and found the success that made him a two-time All-Star several years prior with Tampa Bay. The left-hander was an All-Star in his first season with Oakland after going 15-9 with a 3.55 ERA and pitched well in ‘15 before the A’s traded him to the Astros midway through the season.

5. Dec. 21, 1987: A’s sign Dave Henderson
An under-the-radar signing at the time, Henderson quickly developed into a force in the middle of a dangerous A’s lineup through the late 1980s. "Hendu" became a fan favorite in Oakland and World Series hero in 1989 by bashing a pair of home runs against the Giants. He played six seasons with the club, batting .263 with 104 home runs and 377 RBIs in 702 games. The outfielder earned the lone All-Star selection of his 14-year career in '91 as a member of the A’s.