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Hypothetical Matt Olson trade to Texas Rangers not enough

By David Hill

Jul 17, 2021; Oakland, California, USA; Oakland Athletics first baseman Matt Olson (28) stands at second base after hitting a double during the first inning against the Cleveland Indians at RingCentral Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Stan Szeto-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 17, 2021; Oakland, California, USA; Oakland Athletics first baseman Matt Olson (28) stands at second base after hitting a double during the first inning against the Cleveland Indians at RingCentral Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Stan Szeto-USA TODAY Sports /
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It had been a couple of days since the last Matt Olson trade rumor. Naturally, that meant it was time for another one to surface, be it another team interested in acquiring the Oakland A’s first baseman or a hypothetical trade offer.

This hypothetical trade involves the Texas Rangers. In it, the A’s would send Olson to Texas in exchange for Nate Lowe and a pair of prospects – second baseman Justin Foscue and corner infielder Dustin Harris. Bleacher Report considers this trade to be a win-win for both teams.

Oakland A’s need more for Matt Olson

This is not a terrible offer. Lowe is under team control through 2026 and could be a long term solution at first. He has displayed some op in the bat, with 29 homers and 34 doubles in his 887 career plate appearances. At 26 years old, it is reasonable to expect that he can produce a bit more as he enters his prime.

Foscue, the 14th overall selection in the 2020 MLB Draft, has been compared to Jeff Kent as a bat first second baseman. He has plenty of pop in his bat and an aggressive approach at the plate as he attacks any pitches he feels that he can drive. The bat already allowed Foscue to appear in Double-A in his first professional season and he may be ready to debut in the majors next year.

Harris had been a member of the A’s previously, an 11th round selection in the 2019 MLB Draft that was sent to Texas as part of the Mike Minor trade. He has blossomed since, tapping into his power after the Rangers adjusted his swing; after hitting one homer in 238 plate appearances in 2019, he had 20 in 466 plate appearances last year. While Harris has spent most of his time at first, he has started to get playing time at third, and could end up seeing time in the corners of the outfield as well.

That would certainly be a good start to a trade package, but it does not seem to be enough. The A’s would likely need another prospect to go back, potentially a lottery ticket type of arm. Ronny Henriquez is small (5’10” and 155 pounds) but has three pitches that flash plus potential and a fastball that can reach 98 MPH. A piece similar to that could get the deal done.

Next. Pham a perfect buy-low option. dark

Another hypothetical trade package for Matt Olson has arrived. It may be close, but the Texas Rangers would need to give up a bit more.