Three trade chips for the Oakland A's
The Oakland Athletics have played better than anyone could have expected thus far.
Then again, expectations were low for the A's this season. Ownership officially turned its back on the city and will be playing in Sacramento next year. Fans have been boycotting the team and have become more vocal in their demands that the A's be sold. Meanwhile, the players must somehow tune all that out and perform on the diamond.
No matter how the A's were playing, ownership was going to sell off any pieces it could at the deadline. While the A's are outperforming expectations, they are also clear sellers.
Let's take a look at three players who could be on the move at the trade deadline.
Outfielder/designated hitter Brent Rooker
Brent Rooker is someone that any other team would potentially build around. A first time All-Star in 2023, Rooker finally put everything together. He produced a .246/.329/.488 batting line in his 526 plate appearances, hitting 30 homers and 20 doubles in his breakout campaign.
Rooker has been better thus far in 2024, as he has been the A's best hitter. He has produced a .283/.364/.561 batting line in 195 plate appearances, hitting 12 homers and 12 doubles.
Rooker does have some issues, having struck out 66 times. He also has three more years of team control left and is about to enter arbitration for the first time. As the A's have jettisoned as much payroll as possible, his increasing salary may be more than they want to spend.
At the same time, that team control makes Rooker, and his power bat, an intriguing option at the deadline.
Starting pitcher Paul Blackburn
Paul Blackburn comes with a caveat: he is currently on the injured list due to a stress reaction in his right foot. Although the A's plan to reevaluate him when they return from their current road trip, Blackburn is not expected back until the middle of the month.
However, if he can return in that time, Blackburn could be a worthwhile trade chip for the A's. He has established himself as a solid back-of-the-rotation arm, having posted a 4.31 ERA and a 1.353 WHiP in his 261 innings since the start of 2022 while striking out 229 batters with 86 walks.
That type of production could draw the attention of teams looking to find a dependable option as a fourth or fifth starter.
Starting pitcher Alex Wood
Alex Wood is another player on the injured list, having been shut down since May 15 due to a left rotator cuff strain. However, he was slated to begin playing catch, beginning a throwing program before he heads off on a rehab assignment.
Wood had not pitched well before landing on the IL, having posted a 5.26 ERA and a 1.780 WHiP over his 39.1 innings, striking out 33 batters with 19 walks. However, Wood is a pitcher with a track record of being a solid middle to the back-of-the-rotation arm.
If he can return and be close to the pitcher he had been previously, Wood could end up on a contending team come August.
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