With right-hander Ryan Dull in the midst of a breakout season, the 38-50 Athletics could be more inclined to listen to trade offers for other relievers prior to the Aug. 1 deadline, according to Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle. Teams were already showing interest in southpaw Sean Doolittle as of two weeks ago, but that was before he hit the disabled list June 30 with a shoulder strain. Clubs are now looking at fellow late-game option Ryan Madson, reports Slusser, who lists the Blue Jays, Nationals and Cubs as teams on the hunt for relief help. There are no indications, however, that the A’s are looking to deal anyone from their bullpen, per Slusser.
Madson, 35, joined the A’s on a three-year, $22MM contract last December and has converted 17 of 22 save opportunities in his first 37 1/3 innings in Oakland. One of those five blown save chances occurred Sunday for the righty, who has recorded a 3.62 ERA, 7.47 K/9, 3.13 BB/9 and 39.1 percent ground-ball rate.
Madson’s 2016 output has been markedly worse than the production he compiled last year as a member of the World Series champion Royals, with whom he posted a 2.13 ERA, 8.24 K/9, 1.99 BB/9 and 55 percent ground-ball mark in 63 1/3 frames. That represented an improbable and tremendous rebound for Madson, who hadn’t pitched in the majors since 2011 because of elbow issues. Previous to that, he served as a relief weapon in Philadelphia for several years. Madson averaged in the 94 mph range with his fastball during his days as a Phillie, and he has continued to do that since returning to the league last season.
I hope the jays don’t give up prospects for madson. The guys peripherals are bad and he’d cost a lot, in both money and prospects.
I can’t imagine interested teams will be willing to pay the A’s as much now as before he pitched in his last two outings…blown saves, and a loss. Too bad, too, the A’s could have used those two W’s! Good luck A’s with getting back what you need in trades, because you’re sure not doing anything good with this season! It’s really annoying and discouraging to be an A’s fan, especially with Billy Beane the team’s GM during year after year of trading away the stars of the team, and year after year of losing with no light/players shining toward the future! In less than a month this team will be decimated, with more players no one has ever heard of to take their places. Oh yay, Go A’s!
First off, David Forst is Oakland’s GM. And yeah, they really screwed up with the Donaldson deal and Butler signing, but their front office has done a remarkable job over the years with the resources available. Athletics nation just wrote a great review on the success of the 2015 deadline deals if you really want to know what’s going on in Oakland.
It’s not easy being an A’s fan sometimes, but when you compare to how other small market clubs do year to year, it’s nice knowing that the A’s never stay out of it for long.
Its hard being a A’s fan but they future is getting better. They have a good young starting staff that should be very good in the future. This is a rebuild year so trading players like Reddick, Hill, or any reliever for some quality prospects is what they should do. They are about 2 years away from being a playoff contender again so just bare through a bad season.
Exactly
2 blown back to back saves hardly says anything for the great season he is having. Sucks it was against the Astros but Madson is a great veteran who is a good asset for this young team. Hopefully he can teach Dull a lot for when Dull should hopefully become closer. I think the future that Beane has put together does look bright. Mengden, Manaea, hopefully Overton in the rotation. Puk being a college pitcher hopefully can make it to the show fast. Then you have a whole bunch of talented infielders who are almost ready.
Sale the team to Lacob/Guber et al. Successful group willing to spend, new stadium or not. Billy will surely be offered his job back and the A’s will be competitive again. This is not a matter of a million choices here. Perspective, folks
Seattle’s a good fit with struggles of late