I don’t care how many fireworks shows and bobblehead giveaways are left, it’s not going to be worth the frustration of watching what will be left of the Oakland Athletics in August and September.
Two months into the season and the 2016 Oakland Athletics are sitting in last place in the AL West at 25-32, a .439 winning percentage, getting swept by the struggling Houston Astros last weekend. The team sits 9.5 games back of the division-leading Rangers.
National news surrounding the Oakland Athletics isn’t what they are going to do to turn things around at this point in the season. The talk with two-thirds of baseball still left regarding the green and gold centers around who is going to be dealt and who they are going to get with the July 31 trade deadline coming up.
It’s a longshot that the Athletics will get back into the race and appears that after just 57 games, the team has thrown in the towel and writing off 2016 for what it is – a total loss.
More from Oakland A's News
- Zach Logue yet another disappointing Oakland A’s trade return
- Luis Barrera heading to familiar foe in Los Angeles Angels
- San Francisco Giants showing Oakland A’s offseason could be worse
- Lucas Luetge what Oakland A’s need in bullpen
- Oakland A’s bring Deolis Guerra back on minor league deal
In a season so far that has seen 13 players riding the disabled list, and no action made to acquire replacements for key position players, the Oakland Athletics have hinted that they will be sellers next month in anticipation of shedding payroll and moving on to a new plan
If I were a season ticket holder, I’d be down at 7000 Coliseum Way demanding a refund for the next four months’ worth of games.
Their best pitcher, Rich Hill(8-3, 2.25 ERA) is only signed for 2016 for $6 million. Longtime outfielder and fan favorite Josh Reddick (is in the last year of his contract without any moves between the A’s and Reddick to re-sign him. Reliever John Axford (3-1, 3.04 ERA), who is a bright spot out of the bullpen, will also be a free-agent this fall. All are expected to be shopped for prospects.
There’s even talk of seeing third baseman Danny Valencia – who’s having a great season with a .343 BA and 9 HRs – and pitcher Sonny Gray (3-5, 5.77 ERA) thrown out as trade bait in what could be a fire sale this July 31.
It’s a sad state of affairs when after a long winter following a losing season, A’s fans see the new season done after only two months.
If Reddick and Gray are dealt, Stephen Vogt will be the only player from the 2012-2014 playoff run still on the roster.
The only good thing (?) keeping them on the team after July 31 is that both will have had very recent DL stints which may lower their value on the trade market.
Outside of maybe Gray, no one player holds tons of trade value so it’s likely that there will be some package deal to a team with a high prospect of another team.
Maybe there is a contender out there that will shed a touted prospect or two to the cellar dwellers by selling their soul for the moment of 2016. For the Oakland Athletics, that means waiting for another couple of years for a result.
As recently as two short years ago, the summer spotlight was on baseball as fans of the Oakland Athletics followed a competing team in anticipation of what the post season would bring.
Next: First PA Announce, Roy Steele
It’s a sad state of affairs when after a long winter following a losing season, A’s fans see the new season done after only two months.