Oakland A’s trade talk: Destinations for every Oakland trade asset
I think we all see the Oakland A’s heading down the rebuild path. Typically once their young players start hitting their late arbitration years, earning more money, the A’s will start trading them off for prospects looking for the next regime.
This article looks over all of the Oakland A’s main trade assets that look likely to be moved once the offseason resumes.
Each player will have five different teams that I think would best use their services. Some names not included in the list of trade assets are Tony Kemp, Ramon Laureano, and Sean Murphy.
Tony Kemp had a great season in 2021, but I feel he overperformed and teams will not want to take the risk on him unless it is just as a utility player.
With Ramon Laureano’s lower service time than some of the ones on the list, it gives the A’s more control of him and a lower salary. He was also suspended for PEDs in August of last season which could keep teams away despite his statements saying he never took any substances knowingly. He still has 30 games left of his suspension to serve this upcoming season.
Sean Murphy is in a similar boat to Laureano in regards to service time as he has 4 more years under team control and is still in the lowest salary level where they can pay around the league minimum. So the Oakland A’s do not have as much incentive to trade him just yet.
Now on to the list!
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.
Oakland A’s trade possibilities: Chris Bassitt and Sean Manaea
I have included these pitchers together because they are both in very similar situations and any of the teams I would have included for one would have been included for the other. They only have one year left of team control, are expected to make about the same amount of money, and have very similar stats in regards to ERA, FIP, and expected numbers.
Any teams that show interest in either of these players are going to be contending this season, acquiring them as one of the final pieces needed for a world series push, which could lead to a nice haul for the Oakland A’s.
Boston Red Sox
Despite the signing of Michael Wacha, Rich Hill, and James Paxton, I think acquiring either one or both of these pitchers would help this rotation quite a bit more. With opt-outs for Chris Sale and Xander Bogaerts, along with J.D. and Eovaldi on their last year, this team has postseason and world series aspirations that Bassitt and Manaea could help bring them to fruition.
San Francisco Giants
San Francisco seems primed to push for the postseason right now with a lot of veterans on the team with renewed production that they could choose to capitalize on. They were able to bring back Alex Wood and Anthony DeSclafani and signed Alex Cobb to fill the hole Kevin Gausman left, all to match up with budding ace Logan Webb. However, the options available for the fifth spot look shaky which is where either of these pitchers could step in to give them a fully loaded five man rotation.
Los Angeles Dodgers
If Clayton Kershaw is heading out of Los Angeles once the lockout is over, that creates a spot that the Dodgers will need to fill with a suitable replacement. Bassitt or Manaea are better options than either Andrew Heaney or David Price who as now are both in the rotation with Bauer’s uncertain situation and Dustin May’s injury that will most likely keep him out for a good part of the season. Even if Kershaw does come back, having more starting pitching depth is always a good problem and one LA has dealt with regularly.
Toronto Blue Jays
Toronto’s rotation looks pretty much set until you get to that fifth spot, potentially filled in by Ross Stripling who really hasn’t been the same since 2019. Nate Pearson is the other in-house option but he really has not had the innings to rely on him being there all season or bring his full production through the whole year. Bringing in either of these players gives Pearson a buffer year as a reliever and solidifies the Jays rotation to get back to the postseason.
New York Yankees
The Yankees have a lot of options to fill out their rotation with Jameson Taillon, Domingo Germán, Luis Severino, and Nestor Cortes. As well as some prospects like Luis Gil or Clarke Schmidt but I am unsure they want to rely on them given the team’s aspirations. Taillon and Germán I am skeptical about as I feel they could be any between average to back-end guys. Sevy hasn’t had a full season since 2018 and while he could come back strong, there is risk there. Lastly, Nestor Cortes was a nice surprise for the pinstripes but I am unsure if it is sustainable. There is potential for there to be a solid rotation amongst those four options but I think they would feel safer with either Bassitt or Manaea.
Oakland A’s trade possibility: Chad Pinder
Probably not a name you expected here but he has an interesting case for teams around the league. He has only totaled a 1.3 fWAR over the past three seasons, only having one season with a WRC+ over 100. However, Pinder has regularly underperformed his expected statistics with the Oakland A’s. Just in 2021, he had a .243 BA, .411 SLG, and a .307 wOBA, while his expected numbers were .368 BA, .713 SLG, and .457 xwOBA.
With a potential breakout season looming, along with versatility and pretty solid defense around the field, there is a lot for other teams to be interested in and take a chance on as he only has one year left of team control.
Atlanta Braves
With Joc Pederson and Jorge Soler becoming free agents there are potential holes in the outfield. They have Ozuna coming back at some point, and Adam Duvall still under contract. Prospects like Cristian Pache and Drew Waters look available too, however, there are concerns about their hitting at the major league level. Atlanta could look to bring back one of their free agents but even if that is the case Pinder could be a utility guy that still has the potential to breakout.
Philadelphia Phillies
Outside of the bullpen, the outfield has probably been the weakest area for the Phils with not much out there helping the 2021 NL MVP Bryce Harper. Taking a chance on a guy like Pinder is exactly something that Philly should be doing. At the very least he is about an average bat and defender, which is still much better than what they have currently.
Texas Rangers
With two new major stars in the infield, the outfield is still a work in progress as Adolis Garcia might be the only player who could be a regular as both Nick Solak and Willie Calhoun have struggled in the majors. They did sign Kole Calhoun who I am not fully certain will be a solid option for them, but even if he is that still leaves left field open. Pinder is 29 years old and, with the potential there, it wouldn’t hurt for a team in their position to take a chance.
Boston Red Sox
Was the Jackie Bradley Jr. trade to Boston weird to any of you too? I don’t understand the reason to take on his money, or to flip such a positive bat in Renfroe for a guy who was one of the worst hitters in baseball last season. Alex Verdugo seems like the only solid option in the outfield as Kiké Hernandez might play second or center. That still leaves left for maybe Jarren Duran or Christin Stewart who had good years in Triple-A but did not really have any time in the Majors. Pinder could be the backup option they are not ready for the Majors just yet.
Los Angeles Angels
The Angels have so much money tied up that the idea of finding potential breakout guys on cheap deals should be very valuable and Pinder fits pretty well with this squad. Both Brandon Marsh and Jo Adell have finally made it up to the majors. However, neither has found their footing quite yet at the plate so having a guy like Pinder around to fill if slumps last too long or if they need to be sent down would be very valuable, even if they may have to give up more with an inter-division trade with the Oakland A’s.
Oakland A’s trade possibility: Frankie Montas
Things were not looking great for Montas with the Oakland A’s after coming back from his PED suspension with a rough season in 2020, but he made great strides this past year. Returning to form in 2021 with 3.37 ERA and 3.61 FIP, his expected numbers line up well along with strong strikeout and walk rates.
The extra benefit with Montas and why he was not grouped with Bassitt and Manaea is the additional year of team control. I think this extra year could entice more teams to acquire him as they look to be more long-term contenders or feel like this year is not as likely to push but want him around for 2023.
Texas Rangers
After the signings of Corey Seager and Marcus Semien, this team seems like they want to head down the road to being playoff contenders as their lineup is now much improved. Their rotation, however, does not look to be ready for that level of play. Jon Gray was a nice signing this offseason but Dane Dunning looks like a mid-rotation guy at best to me. There is some potential in Spencer Howard and Cole Winn but they have not shown it in the majors yet. Bringing Montas on to be the leader gives them a lot more validity and potential to be a playoff team.
Boston Red Sox
The pitching in Boston has regularly been their main problem. We already mentioned them for Bassitt and Manaea but they could value a longer term option in Montas more. Their rotation has not had a lot of future value and Montas would change that. Guys like Tanner Houck and other prospects like Groome, Bello, or Mata could be there to help soon but having a major league proven guy that has been great would be more beneficial for them given their current state.
Chicago White Sox
If Carlos Rodon decides to sign elsewhere, that leaves an open spot in their rotation. Now that could be filled with Michael Kopech who was great as a reliever and performed well in spot starts in 2021. However, filling it with Montas instead gives you another good starter and keeps Kopech in the bullpen as a great relief option. It also gives you coverage if Dallas Keuchel continues his poor performance as they could then move Kopech into the rotation.
Los Angeles Dodgers
This team has never been afraid to make moves and then figure it out later. While Bassitt and Manaea would work for the year, Montas provides them future availability. The Dodgers have a pretty full rotation. However, depending on how Gonsolin pitches and what May looks like when he comes back, that could leave a spot open, which they could then just automatically fill with Montas for 2022 and 2023 to be covered long term.
St. Louis Cardinals
St. Louis’ rotation went through some hard times in 2021 with Flaherty, Mikolas, and Hudson all missing significant time or the whole season. Mikolas and Hudson will need more time to figure things out and helping them do that slowly could be beneficial and where trading for Montas comes into play. He provides them with a good arm they can rely on while pretty much everyone else figures themselves out. I know Liberatore is on the way soon but he also seems like he could use some more seasoning before being a full-time major league pitcher.
Oakland A’s trade possibility: Matt Olson
I would say Olson is the best player of this group by quite a bit and he might have the most interesting potential trade destinations as well. In 2021, Olson returned to form with the Oakland A’s, putting up a 5.0 fWAR season (19th in MLB) with a .911 OPS (T-12th best in MLB) and 146 WRc+ (8th best in MLB).
His market opens up a lot more with the DH looking to be brought to the National League and it could change greatly depending on where free agent Freddie Freeman decides to go.
New York Yankees
Even though New York has a solid to even great first baseman in Luke Voit, if you can get Matt Olson instead, you do it. Making a move for a guy like Olson with this already potent lineup looks scary for the rest of the league. I think ensuring their rotation is solid this year should be the main focus but they could bring in Olson and improve the rotation by making a deal with Oakland. It would be interesting to see if the A’s take Voit back as part of the return to then flip later. An example of a trade between the two sides you can find being reviewed here.
Milwaukee Brewers
Olson is the exact type of hitter that Milwaukee needs to add to this lineup. They have a lot of solid to good hitters but since Yelich has regressed they don’t have anyone that is really great, unless Willy Adames can sustain his production from the second half of last season. Olson would immediately make this team a much stronger contender. With the DH most likely coming it would give them a chance to platoon it with Keston Hiura and Rowdy Tellez, giving their offense even more upside.
Atlanta Braves
This is entirely contingent on whether or not they can bring back Freddie Freeman, but in a world where he moves on to another team, they should be putting a lot of chips in the Matt Olson basket. Olson would come in and provide pretty much the exact type of production that Freeman did and Atlanta has the assets to make this type of move. After winning the World Series last year they need to go all in to stay in contention and Olson would help them do that if they are without Freeman
San Diego Padres
This one is a little trickier because Eric Hosmer would have to come back but I don’t think that would scare away the Oakland A’s as long as the Padres agree to take on the cash. We saw what top level Hosmer looks like in 2020 so if the A’s get him back to that he could be flipped later. Olson would be a serious upgrade in the position that probably needs it the most for them, giving them another superstar level hitter to pair with Machado and Tatis.
Next. Would this Yankees-A's trade work in real life?. dark
Los Angeles Dodgers
Another interesting one but I think it works and I don’t think the Dodgers mind getting creative to fit in good players. Max Muncy has played a good amount of time at second base, managing to be at least average there defensively to make room for Olson at first. If the DH is brought in as well, that just provides another way to get both players into the lineup. This is the type of move the Dodgers have shown they are not scared to make and figure out later.