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Oakland A’s get full Lou Trivino Experience in return

By David Hill

Oct 3, 2021; Houston, Texas, USA; Oakland Athletics relief pitcher Lou Trivino (62) reacts during the ninth inning against the Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 3, 2021; Houston, Texas, USA; Oakland Athletics relief pitcher Lou Trivino (62) reacts during the ninth inning against the Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports /
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Lou Trivino was supposed to be the closest thing to a given in the Oakland A’s bullpen this year. Aside from a rough three week stretch in August last season, he had fared reasonably well as the A’s closer in 2021, making him a possible trade option at the deadline. It was just a matter of building off of that 2021 campaign and proving himself to be a viable late inning option.

That was not the case early this season. Trivino did notch two saves, but he also struggled with his command before contracting COVID and landing on the Injured List. His one rehab appearance in Stockton was an utter disaster as he allowed five runs on five hits in just one inning.

Lou Trivino not close to ready for Oakland A’s

Despite all of the evidence that Trivino was not close to being ready to face major league hitters, he was summoned back to Oakland on Tuesday. As Kirby Snead was in the process of blowing the save, Trivino was summoned to stop the bleeding.

At least he was able to get the final out of the ninth inning. The problems came when Trivino was allowed to come back for the top of the tenth. He was an absolute dumpster fire as he allowed five runs, four earned, on four hits and a walk while recording a grand total of two outs.

It is understandable that the A’s wanted to get Trivino some action as soon as possible. But there is a time and a place for allowing him to work his way back to form. That time is not in extra innings in a tie ballgame and that place is not at the major league level.

Trivino will continue to close going forward. Having him in the ninth inning and attempting to maximize his trade value is more important than winning games for the A’s. Maybe it will work and he can be flipped for something at the deadline. Until then, all we can do is wait and hope that maybe, just maybe, he can become a useful piece in the bullpen once more.

Next. A's should be concerned about Trivino. dark

Lou Trivino is not ready to be in the majors just yet. His performance on Tuesday night is all the proof that the Oakland A’s would need.