Oakland Athletics: Who Will The A’s Trade This Summer?
By Joey Lopez
Join us every Thursday for our “Crystal Ball” predictions here on White Cleat Beat. This week we look into our Crystal Ball and predict who the A’s will trade first before the deadline next month.
The A’s dropped another one in Cleveland on Thursday and will head home after a disastrous road trip. Oakland went 2-5 on the trip and fell to 23-30 overall on the season.
Billy Beane will likely be tempted to trade a few of his veteran players if Oakland’s struggles continue. Trading a few veteran pieces would allow Beane to push forward with the team’s youth movement.
At this point in time, the A’s have several significant pieces that could be traded. Among those trade chips are the following players:
- Jed Lowrie: .292/.360/.469, 6 HR, 16 RBI
- Yonder Alonso: .285/.384/.642, 14 HR, 31 RBI
- Sonny Gray: 2-2, 4.72 ERA, 34.1 IP
Who Will Go?
Among those three mentioned players, Gray seems like a likely candidate to be moved ahead of the deadline in July.
Beane has never been one to pass up on a deal, especially when it involves plenty of talented prospects. The key to any deal that involves Gray, however, is his value.
The A’s would love to see Gray throw in a few more quality starts before trying to strike a deal with an interested club. Gray was rocked in his last start against Cleveland, which was rather surprising.
If Gray can stay healthy and produce a few more quality starts, the A’s could capitalize on his value and strike a deal to land a few young prospects. A healthy and effective Gray would command a lot in return for the A’s.
Aside from Gray, the next logical move would be to deal Lowrie.
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Lowrie, 33, is in the last year of the three-year deal. He currently sits ahead of A’s top prospect, Franklin Barreto. Moving Lowrie would clear space for Barreto and allow the A’s to usher in a new era of youngsters.
Lowrie is healthy this season and has been a bright spot for the A’s offensively and defensively. At this point, it is almost a guarantee that the A’s will trade Lowrie at some point this season.
The A’s have enjoyed Yonder Alonso’s breakout this year, but could look to move him if the team continues to fall off the rails. Alonso’s value is at an all-time high and the A’s will likely be unable to sign him after this year.
The Crystal Ball says…
The A’s will have plenty of trade chips to deal this summer, but Lowrie looks like an absolute lock to be dealt. He has performed well this year and appears to be healthy after struggling last year with nagging injuries.
Expect Gray’s name to appear in plenty of rumors this summer and don’t be shocked if the A’s decide to deal Alonso as well. The team could also explore trades involving other veteran players such as Trevor Plouffe, Rajai Davis and Matt Joyce.
The first to leave Oakland, however, will be Lowrie. The move would signify the start of a new era for Oakland, one full of youth and excitement.
What do you think? Who will leave Oakland via trade before the deadline? Be sure to sound off below in the comment section!