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Oakland A’s trade talk: Destinations for every Oakland trade asset

By Colton Stewart

OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA - SEPTEMBER 21: Matt Olson #28 and Matt Chapman #26 of the Oakland Athletics celebrate after Olson hit a solo home run against the Seattle Mariners in the bottom of the first inning at RingCentral Coliseum on September 21, 2021 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA - SEPTEMBER 21: Matt Olson #28 and Matt Chapman #26 of the Oakland Athletics celebrate after Olson hit a solo home run against the Seattle Mariners in the bottom of the first inning at RingCentral Coliseum on September 21, 2021 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /
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Philadelphia Phillies and Oakland A's pull of a trade for Matt Chapman?
(Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images) /

Oakland A’s trade possibility: Matt Chapman

Matt Chapman is a fantastic third baseman for the Oakland A’s with one of if not the best glove at the position. His bat has regressed from his 2018 and 2019 seasons to being just average at the plate in 2021. If you want to hear a full breakdown of Chapman’s 2021 season and a discussion on whether or not he is still a star in MLB, you can check out my most recent YouTube video here.

The teams here are in no particular order but for each one I will describe the need and fit for why each destination is listed here.

Toronto Blue Jays

The Jays have a hole in the infield now with Marcus Semien off to Texas. They do have Jordan Groshans who might be up soon but could also be moved over to second base if they were able to acquire someone like Chapman. Toronto’s lineup is still potent without Semien but could use the potential of Chapman there to revert back to his prior production, as well as the defensive prowess he would provide the infield. If you want to see other potential replacements for Semien, check out this article here.

Philadelphia Phillies

Philly seems like they are really pressing to make the postseason at this point with all the money spent the past few offseasons and failing to make it. Chapman gives them a bat that has succeeded at the major league level which they haven’t fully had throughout their lineup. Alec Bohm is currently slotted in at third for the Phillies but with his struggles at the plate, they might like a more reliable option until he figures it out.

Washington Nationals

Juan Soto needs some help in Washington and this could be an opportunity to acquire a good player that is only 28 to pair with Soto for the future. They have just gone into rebuilding mode but adding solid pieces while you do that could make the process of moving back to contention much smoother. This would also require them to extend Chapman soon along with Juan Soto to ensure their future is stable.

Houston Astros

If Carlos Correa decides to move on that will leave Houston with quite a hole. They could look to fill that from within as their #4 prospect Jeremy Pena looks like he could be major league ready. However, if they want a more proven option to make a bigger push for another World Series, trading for Chapman and moving Bregman to shortstop could do that for them. In his opportunities playing short Bregman has not been great but if he went in knowing that was his position moving forward, getting full practice and training on a daily basis, that could change.

Los Angeles Dodgers

Justin Turner has been one of the best third basemen in baseball since signing with the Dodgers. But now being 37, moving to a full DH role and bringing in a defensive wizard like Chapman could be very beneficial for this team. The Dodgers aren’t ones to stray away from making deals and this is one that looks like it could help the team in several ways to push this team even more towards another World Series victory.

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