The Athletics have fallen 11 games under .500 and seem in position to sell, with several appealing pieces to shop. Among them are lefty reliever Sean Doolittle and outfielder Josh Reddick, both of whom have drawn interest according to recent reports.
Doolittle is getting hits from around the game, per Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports, who also argues in the linked post that the team should hold its core pieces. That’s no surprise given Doolittle’s blistering heater, not to mention the cheap contract he’s playing under. With many contenders in need of power relievers, he’d surely be one of the more actively-pursued players on the market. In MLBTR’s latest list of the top trade candidates in baseball, Doolittle rated 9th.
Meanwhile, Reddick has received at least some internal consideration from the Giants, according to Joe Stiglich of CSN Bay Area. The possibility of a cross-bay match was raised earlier today by Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle, citing a scout. It’s not entirely clear how focused the club is on the veteran outfielder, as Stiglich says only that he’s “on a lengthy preliminary list of … potential trade targets.” San Francisco has been rumored to have interest in upgrades at a number of positions, with the corner outfield one such area.
Reddick, of course, is still working his way back from a fractured thumb, but he’s set to be activated tomorrow, per MLB.com’s Jane Lee (via Twitter). He’ll be looking to continue an impressive start to the year, in which he slashed .322/.394/.466 over 165 plate appearances. We’ve also heard ongoing talk that an extension could still be considered between the sides, though, and that would obviously take him out of trade consideration.
It remains to be seen what approach Oakland will take at the deadline. While there are signals that the organization is holding out hope for a bounceback, time is getting short. Even in a sale scenario, though, it’s possible to imagine a variety of approaches. As Rosenthal argues, a limited sell-off might see a few short-term veterans depart — Rich Hill and Danny Valencia are, perhaps, the prime candidates — with players such as Doolittle, Sonny Gray, Stephen Vogt, and even Reddick staying put. But it’s certainly possible to imagine a more dramatic rebuild.
I would like to see the Orioles make a push for Doolittle. They need a good lefty bullpen arm and he would definitely help.
Has something changed, can’t see the A’s ever doing any business with San Fran, when was their last trade? 1990? Seems like that point should be in this story, because I think Lew Wolff would rather trade punches than players with anyone in the Giants org.
Yeah, the Dodgers made a few deals with Angels in recent years and I hated it.
I think his point is that at least publicallly one of the main barriers for the A’s not being allowed to move to San Jose over the last 5 years? Has been because the Giants are blocking them from doing it.
I wasn’t exaggerating their last player for player exchange was 1990, before that I think San Fran paid for a player from the A’s. These are two org’s that just don’t deal with each other. And as Rycm131 pointed out, a big reason is San Fran being a baby over territory. I’ll eat Jeff Todd’s hat if Reddick goes to San Fran for anything less than relinquishing those San Jose rights and Larry Baer’s head on a golden platter.
Hey think before you speak. I wear my hats all day every day and they are disgusting.
Reddick would be a nice pickup for the Giants. Package deal for Doolittle as well would be even better, but the Giants and A’s don’t really do business together.
I would like the Dodgers to roll the dice on a blockbuster with the A’s: Reddick, Gray and Doolittle for AAA stud RHP DeLeon, Pedro Baez, former first rounder Grant Holmes and I know this sounds crazy….Joc Pederson. The Dodgers have Trayce Thompson that can play center, and other high ceiling outfielders like Alex Verdugo who is racing thru the minors. Reddick has played both LF and RF in his career and is a more consistent hotter than Joc at this point.
A’s need more coming back imo. Gray for Pederson, De Leon, and Holmes seems legit. But Reddick AND Doolittle for just Baez..? Nah needs more going back to A’s.
I don’t see the Dodgers even considering giving up a package like that. I wish, but find it very unlikely
Beane would just laugh and hang up.
Reddick and Doolittle might get done, but Gray? Nah, just, nah—-unless you wanna give up Seager? Yeah, exactly….nah….
The Gray talk comes from the constant rebuilding mode the A’s find themselves in. The A’s need a lot of help in their system and on the MLB roster. Beane hasn’t been shy about making moves. There’s little doubt Gray will be moved at the deadline or in the winter. The question becomes who is willing to pay that package. Gray gets an absolute haul even if he hasn’t had a typical Gray season. Doolittle also get a major haul. Bad teams have less needs for a closer as compared to improvement on the roster. It’d probably also help when a team takes on bad contracts I.e. Big country and Crisp so he option doesn’t vest. Include a healthy Hill and now the A’s can command a healthy amount of young MLB ready players. They have excess capital to lock up Reddick and build around Manea.
Yup no way. Those guys could get you gray by himself though.
Just like he laughed at the Russell and McKinney for Hammel and Samardzija trade. Oh wait, that’s right, he said yes.
You’re analogy is garbage dude, way different trading for prospects than trading for talent for a post season push. And the players that kid mentioned wouldn’t even get Doolitle and Reddick much less Gray as well.
I’m not saying Oakland would do that deal including Gray, but what are you talking about? Reddick and Doolittle aren’t enough for Pederson. Pederson and Reddick are basically the same player right now, except Reddick is 29 with half a season of control and Pederson is 24 with 4.5 seasons of control. As good as Doolittle is, he doesn’t get 4 seasons of an above average 24 year old CF in return.
Dude Reddick and Pederson are not basically the same player right now. Maybe next year, but not right now. Pederson needs to work on his average. Reddick’s war is 1.5 compared to Pederson’s 1.2 and Reddick hasn’t even played in over a month. In no way am I suggesting that Pederson should be traded for Reddick. Pederson has swing and miss issues and contact issues he needs to fix. Reddick was having a great start to his season and playing really well until he got he injured. Reddick helps LA win now. Pederson doesn’t really do that right now. He is learning and it might take a little longer than people might prefer. If they are trying to win now they go for Reddick. If they have one eye on the future while trying to win then they stay patient with Pederson and try to find another way to get Reddick without Pederson involved or find another way to improve their team. But Reddick and Pederson are not basically the same player right now, especially if Pederson has another 2nd half collapse/slump like he had last year.
If Reddick can come back the same as he was before his injury and produce average defense and above average offense, and Pederson keeps doing what he is doing right now then Reddick is def the better player right now and would help the Dodgers win right now more than Pederson would, unless Pederson all of a sudden makes some adjustments and has a monster 2nd half (I don’t really see that happening right now from what I’ve seen).
Josh Reddick had a 117 wRC+ in both 2014 and 2015 which was his career high. This year before he was injured he was up to a 131 wRC+, but that was almost all on the back of a hot week and half stretch before he was injured. Being he has only played in 41 games this year, a 1.5 week hot stretch can skew numbers and it’s hard to think that he has re-established himself at a new, higher level. Pederson has a 116 wRC+ this year and had a 115 wRC+ last year. Reddick had 2.5 fWAR in 2014, 3.0 fWAR in 2015 and 0.7 fWAR this year. Pederson had 2.8 fWAR last year and has 1.4 fWAR this year. That to me look like outfielders who have basically the same value.
I will agree that if Reddick has now become a true 130+ wRC+ player, he is currently better than Pederson. However, even at that level, half a season of Reddick and 4.5 of Doolittle are not worth 4.5 seasons of Pederson.
A’s already have a Pederson in Davis. A power hitter with a low average. . Doolittle and Gray according to Beane is not on the trading block. Gray is needed as the Ace of the staff for their very good young starters coming up this year. Reddick is the most tradeable of all the players on the A’s. It will be for a top prospect because the A’s have hinted of giving him a QO so they get a draft pick.
Totally agree that a half a season of Reddick and 4.5 of Doolittle don’t get you 4.5 years of Pederson. I was just stating the fact that Pederson and Reddick aren’t basically the same player right now imo. A lot of things could happen though. Reddick could come back and stink up the joint or he could give the same production he did before injury. Pederson couod figure some things out and have a monster 2nd half. I don’t know what wilk happen, but as of right now I just don’t see them as the same player, but with that being said, I do agree with you abt Reddick and Doolittle do not get you Pederson
That would be one hell of a deal and stick it to SF all at once.
Gray for Pederson, De Leon, and Holmes is a fair deal. Baez for Reddick AND Doolittle? Get real man. That’s a homer deal for LAD.
It would require pretty much every pitching prospect know to man or in the system. That would require Montas, Holmes, Buehler, Cotton, Strip, Sierra and two of their offensive prospects (Bellinger, Verdugo, Calhoun). Plus Johnson plus others. Trayce is no where close to Pederson in center. Beane wanted Trayce in the winter so you’ll probably have to give up Trayce also. You’re talking about a huge package plus I think Reddick resigns. I like the idea but i don’t think the have the offensive fire power to pull off all three.
Please let us all know you were just kidding on that trade proposal. Some think you were serious
I meant hitter…not hotter..lol
Cards… Wong and Weaver combo should do the trick.
For who?
I was kidding about giving Wong and Weaver, but I’ll take Zip back. Worked the first time.
Could the mets come in to the picture here? They don’t have a solid lefty in the pen (other then maybe Blevins). Bastardo has been far below average as well as gilmartin. Idk when Edgin is coming back but that doesn’t seem like a sure thing. Kick Valencia in there and i think the mets could entice Beane with a package to get both.
Who are the Mets giving up to get both Doolittle and Valencia. I would love both on this team because we haven’t had a solid lefty in years (Blevins is good, but Bastardo is brutal to watch). Their farm system is pretty much barren.
I’m not up to speed on the mets farm. I know it’s not top notch and I know the mets will refuse any of their starters but maybe wheeler or montero. Nimmo, Herrera, Cecchini or Lindsay. This pop to mind. Don’t think they would trade Dominic smith. Just a few names that might get talks started
I agree that Beane needs to choose a direction, however that position should be a big rebuild. Not enough talent in team to compete long term.
Maybe Seattle can get him I can see dj Peterson and Patrick keliven for Sean Doolittle?
If Doolittle is available Theo better get his old pal Billy on the horn and make it happen. Cubs need left handed bullpen guy to help shore things up in there
Theo and Jed have already been in contact on Doolittle A’s will hold out for best deal more towards deadline next month
Hopefully the A’s will throw in Gray as a sweetener
Why would you want a hurt and ineffective gray when you could have a never-seen-the-DL, extremely effective Teheran?
Teheran would be great but I have a feeling hes ticketed for Boston. I still think Gray can put it together and go back to the pitcher he was. plus the way he has slumped this year maybe he ends up costing less. There could end up being other options pop up over the next few weeks too. I have no doubt the Cubs get some bullpen help but I just have a feeling that they move on a good starting pitcher this year too. Time will tell
I do as well. BOS prospects like moncada and Benni are more interesting than gleyber to me. Any chance y’all budge on contreras/javy? Bc it’ll take a piece like that to land someone like grey/Teheran.
I doubt they budge on Contreras because he is definitely their starting catcher next season. Baez I could see but I hope not because I really like him, hes a highlight film waiting to be made. Personally I would deal Schwarber, Soler, and just about any prospects 1st in a deal for some pitching. Schwarbs being would be a last resort to trade but I could see it, especially with the emergence of Contreras
Schwarber is such a beast though. Any team that gets him would be really happy. I just don’t see Theo letting Schwarber go. He would probably have a lot of sleepless nights if he did. All around the diamond at the MLB level is set for years (unless multiple bad injuries happen to multiple players), even if they get rid of all their top prospects (excluding Contreras). All they really need is a little more pitching (bullpen and rotation). Bright future for the Cubbies
Yeah don’t get me wrong I would prefer Schwarber stays, that bat would be a tough one to lose, but with the price of pitching in free agency it would be nice to have a good, young, cheap, controllable top half of the rotation pitcher and to get that you either need to draft it or give up some talent to get it. I still think the Cubs have enough in the minors to get some nice pieces though
Re: Cubs / A’s I’d love to see Vogelbach and Almora to the A’s…but not at expense of Gray.