Oakland Athletics: 3 trade targets as deadline nears
The Oakland Athletics are enjoying a ton of success so far in 2021. The team enters play Tuesday with a record of 54-42, good enough to own the second American League Wild Card spot and to be only 3.5 games behind the Houston Astros in the AL West.
But there is always room for improvement and as the trade deadline nears, the A’s are easily a top team looking to become buyers. While that organization is notorious for keeping costs low, adding some rental players would not be out of the ordinary.
So let’s now take a look at three players the team could add by the deadline.
3. Bryan Shaw
Bryan Shaw has seen a career renaissance in 2021 with the Cleveland Indians. The veteran reliever was great in Cleveland from 2013-2017, only to seemingly decline endlessly upon leaving. His old team gave him another shot this year and he owns a 2.83 ERA in 42 appearances.
Shaw is on a cheap, expiring deal and the Indians already have a stockpile of younger talent in their bullpen. So even if the club wants to keep competing, a Shaw deal makes sense.
He would show up as the ideal seventh or eighth inning reliever and help a squad currently rocking a 3.90 bullpen ERA. The right-hander is an ideal option because he isn’t showing up expecting to close games or flash any ego at all. He would just be a setup guy and add both talent and experience to the Oakland bullpen.
2. Nelson Cruz
The Minnesota Twins are shockingly bad in 2021 and that means Nelson Cruz is on the trade block. The 41-year-old is on an expiring deal worth $13 million and it makes zero sense for the Twins to keep him at this point.
Cruz is sporting a 2.2 WAR this year and was recently named an All-Star. Even at his age, he has 19 home runs this year along with a .921 OPS.
So far this year Mitch Moreland has seen a good amount of time in the DH role with the A’s. Jed Lowrie has slotted in there as well. Cruz is superior to any other current options and would easily be the everyday option in the lineup if acquired.
Oakland has one big bat in Matt Olson, with his 24 home runs and .953 OPS. Mark Canha has been great as well, but it is clear this offense could use another power bat.
It is easy to start going over scenarios of moves that would allow Cruz to slide onto the roster. But the focus here for Oakland is landing him in the first place, because it is clear he would be a nice fit at DH. His age and experience make him the ideal rental option.
1. Kris Bryant
Here we go with the most exciting option of all. The Chicago Cubs seem poised to trade Kris Bryant sooner than later and the A’s stand out as a team that may want to land him in a blockbuster rental situation.
Of course, any Bryant deal is going to require a nice haul of prospects in return. That is for the front office to figure out, but there is no denying Bryant in Oakland would be an exciting fit as well as a great place for him to audition for his next contract.
The third baseman would show up on a team that already has Matt Chapman at the position. However, Bryant has spent time at all three outfield spots this season so he can play just about anywhere, including first base as well.
This would be a scenario where both sides know the deal. Bryant would help the A’s compete for a title in 2021 and be on his way immediately following the season. And if the team does reach the mountaintop, he is a legend in Oakland forever.
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Bryant made his fourth-career All-Star Game in 2021 and currently owns an .835 OPS with 16 home runs on the year. Whenever a player of his caliber is available as a rental, any and every contender should make a call.