2011 MLB Trade Rumors: Tigers, Phillies Target A’s Gio Gonzalez

The Oakland A’s have made it clear that they’re willing to listen to trade offers for young starting pitcher Gio Gonzalez and boy is he drawing interest.  The young lefty has been tied to numerous teams in trade rumors this offseason, and yesterday it was reported that the Detroit Tigers and Philadelphia Phillies are making runs at Gonzalez.  Besides the Tigers and Phillies, Gonzalez has been linked to the Yankees, Marlins, Red Sox, Reds and Diamondbacks this offseason.

While A’s general manager Billy Beane said he’d be willing to listen on Gonzalez, he made it clear from the start that he’d be looking for ace return for his top young pitcher.  Beane has proven this with the trades he has reportedly proposed to interested teams.

In early discussions with the Marlins, the A’s reportedly requested packages that were built around young players Mike Stanton or Logan Morrison.  More recently, while talking about a Gonzalez trade with the Yankees, Oakland was reportedly asking for Jesus Montero plus one of Manny Banuelos or Dellin Betances.

It’s clear the A’s are looking for a boatload of talent in exchange for Gonzalez, but this doesn’t seem to be scaring off potential suitors.

Yesterday the Tigers and Phillies joined the hunt as aggressive players in the Gonzalez sweepstakes.  Detroit hasn’t made an offer, but according to Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle, the Tigers “aren’t sure if they can make as good a potential offer for Gonzalez as the Yankees”.

Though no full package has been announced, Jim Bowden of ESPN is reporting that the A’s and Phillies are discussing a potential Gonzalez return that would be built around outfielder Domonic Brown.  This figures to be a great fit for the A’s, who covet a young, high-upside outfielder.