Breaking Down Oakland Athletics’ Possible Trade Suitors

Jul 18, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Athletics starting pitcher Scott Kazmir (26) comes out of the game during the ninth inning against the Minnesota Twins at O.co Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Bob Stanton-USA TODAY Sports

With the July 31st MLB Trade Deadline closing in, the Oakland Athletics’ trade clock is ticking. To sell or not to sell? That is the question. There’s a more than likely possibility that the decision to commit to either could be made more based off the incoming offers – which there will definitely be – more than the team’s current performance. If A’s general manager Billy Beane doesn’t feel like he is going to get a decent haul for whichever players contending teams are shopping for, then he won’t sell. Fortunately for him at least, with the amount of ‘buyers’ that seem to be on the market looking for pieces that Oakland possesses, it doesn’t seem like he will have to deal with that problem.

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Over the last month or so there have been plenty of rumors concerning teams interested in the most sought after A’s pieces: Scott Kazmir, Ben Zobrist, and Tyler Clippard. However two more impact players in the form of Josh Reddick and Jesse Chavez will both become free agents at the end of the 2016 season, so they also have the possibility of being dealt as well. The goal for any return from these players – along with whomever else could be thrown in a deal – should be starting pitching and the outfield. These are the two areas the A’s seem to be lacking the most talent throughout the entirety of their system.

There are many teams across both leagues involved in A’s trade rumors. Most of these suitors bring a lot to the table in terms of what they want and what they would be willing to give up. In the following slides, the teams are ranked based on their likeliness to actually enter trade talks with Oakland over these next eight days. 

Next: The First Two Teams Out

The First Two Teams Out

Jul 20, 2015; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Royals first basemen Eric Hosmer (35) reacts after hitting a RBI triple against the Pittsburgh Pirates during the seventh inning at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Peter G. Aiken-USA TODAY Sports

8. KANSAS CITY ROYALS: 57-36 – 1st in AL Central

While no one – including myself – would like to see the Athletics aid the team who took them down in the playoffs last season en route to a World Series appearance, it would make sense for both sides to at least consider the idea. After Kansas City made the move today to send Yordano Ventura down to their Triple-A affiliate, it shows they might feel as though they have a weakness within their starting rotation. This would mean going after Kazmir or even Chavez and giving up a decent amount in return, which isn’t really the Royals’ style. I don’t really see it coming to fruition.

7. PITTSBURG PIRATES: 54-40 – 2nd in NL Central

Rumors surfaced a couple of days ago on MLBtraderumors.com that, “With both Josh Harrison and Jordy Mercer out for six to seven weeks, the suddenly injury-plagued Pirates have reached out to the Athletics … to express respective interest in Ben Zobrist.” This may seem logical for both teams however the ‘Bucs function much like Oakland in the sense that they tend to grow from within instead of going out to buy players. This means that it is unlikely that Pittsburg would part with either of their two top prospects Tyler Glanslow (RHP) or Taylor Taillon (RHP), which are really the only two talents worth taking a look at. This just seems like too high of a price to pay for the Pirates.

Next: Possible, But Still Unlikely Trade Partners

Possible, But Still Unlikely Trade Partners

Jul 20, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers first baseman Adrian Gonzalez (23) hits a home run against the Atlanta Braves in the fifth inning at Turner Field. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

6. LOS ANGELES DODGERS

Record: 54-42 – 1st in NL West

The Dodgers, despite their massive payroll and big-name roster, are in the market for a starting pitcher. Many reports have them linked them to the Philadelphia Phillies’ Cole Hamels, but Kazmir would make for a good back up plan despite no reports of the two teams talking. It also helps that the new Dodgers’ GM Farhan Zaidi was a longtime Oakland executive, and likely has a similar value system to that of Beane. The only problem that could occur is that Beane’s value system is typically what allows him to find worth where others do not and Zaidi would not be one of those executives. Also, with another star lefty in the market by the name of David Price – as of yesterday – Kazmir’s value to a team like LA could dwindle a bit. Although the ‘Doyers’ have the prospects to swing a deal, my guess would be that they wouldn’t send them to Oakland.

5. TORONTO BLUE JAYS: 48-48 – Tied 3rd in AL East

Based on how the last deal went down, some people may not be so happy to see a trade happen between these two teams. However, the Blue Jays are in the market for a reliever – possibly Clippard – after apparently breaking conversations with Philadelphia about Jonathan Papelbon. Also, Toronto was one of several teams scouting Kazmir’s last start, prompting an intriguing situation. It would be interesting to see if Beane would want to engage in another deal with GM Alex Anthopoulos after their last trade has appeared in the short-run more one-sided than not. Additionally, the Jays’ farm system is a bit depleted and the only impact outfielder, Dalton Pompey, who is the 30th ranked prospect according to Baseball America entering 2015, would demand a large deposit; maybe more than just Kazmir or Clippard.

Next: The Two To Pay Attention To

The Two Teams To Pay Attention To

Jul 21, 2015; Washington, DC, USA; New York Mets right fielder Curtis Granderson (3) steals second base ahead of the tag attempt by Washington Nationals second baseman Danny Espinosa (8) during the fourth inning at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports

4. NEW YORK METS

Record: 49-46 – 2nd in NL East

There have been plenty of reports between the A’s and the Mets about Zobrist however talks have been halted based off of specific prospects being asked for. As for the specific prospect asked for, my money would be on their top outfielder Michael Conforto, who reportedly could be a September call-up from Double-A since he is currently slashing an impressive .317/.401/.518. Unfortunately, the Mets seem fixed on him not going anywhere, so it remains to be seen if that changes as the trade deadline nears. Even if Conforto is not involved, it’s possible a deal could occur involving Zobrist, as New York seems persistent on going after him. It could very well just be a matter of whom they would send back to Oakland at this point.

3. HOUSTON ASTROS: 53-43 – 2nd in AL West

With the AL West beginning to slip towards the Los Angeles Angels, Houston is looking to make a move to get them back in the hunt for the division crown. According to reports, Houston is looking to get their hands on Johnny Cueto, but if not, the best thing after would be Kazmir. The only knock on the Oakland lefty was his health, but apparently after his impressive start against Minnesota on Saturday, a major league scout said that outing essentially cleared any health concerns about Kazmir, which improves his stock. A lot of talk has been made about the Astros No. 2 prospect Mark Appel (RHP), but the A’s might get a better deal targeting Houston’s No. 5 prospect Michael Feliz (RHP). That way, they might also be able to fit in the ‘Stros top prospect outfielder Brett Phillips. Either way, it could be a big fish to reel in, so Oakland might need to throw in another player to smooth things over.

Next: Two Extremely Probable Trade Partners