Trade Deadline Preview: Oakland Athletics
Jun 17, 2014; St. Petersburg, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Rays second baseman Zobrist (18) is congratulated by right fielder Kiermaier (39) after he scored during the eighth inning against the Baltimore Orioles at Tropicana Field. Baltimore Orioles defeated the Tampa Bay Rays 7-5. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
It’s been established that the A’s need an upgrade at second base and the back end of their starting rotation. With teams like the Tampa Bay Rays, the Arizona Diamondbacks and the Philadelphia Phillies all being big sellers this season there are a lot of options available outfielder even for the usually frugal Athletics.
1. Tampa Bay Ray’s second baseman Ben Zobrist has been the subject of conversation surrounding many teams this July and he’d be a great fit for Oakland. A two time All-Star Zobrist has what it takes defensively and his .250 batting average is well average it would be a big jump from Sogard’s .188 or Punto’s .233. He’s hit as high as .297 in his career so the 33-year old certainly has the potential to up his average in the second half. His contract is up at the end of this with a team option for 2015 and he almost certainly wouldn’t cost the A’s prospect Addison Russell.
2. Lifetime Philadelphia Philly Jimmy Rollins has said recently that he might change his mind about not waving his 10-5 rights and approve a trade to the right team. The A’s would certainly be a good choice with their shot at winning it all this season. Perhaps Rollins will decide he wants to make a run at another World Series ring. If he were to, Alberto Callaspo and Jed Lowrie could man second base and with Rollins at shortstop it could be a match made in baseball heaven.
3. This is a highly unlikely scenario but I would like to see the A’s try and go after Mets’ starter Bartolo Colon. Colon won 18 games for the A’s last season, finishing second in ERA and wins in the American League. He hasn’t been as good this season but he has been playing for the Mets who are, let’s face it, just not as good as the 2013 Athletics. Colon showed he still has what it takes last week against Oakland, earning a complete game shutout over the A’s. Colon, 41, has a year left on his contract which would be the main reason the A’s wouldn’t try to get him back but you never know. Stranger things happen in baseball everyday.