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A’s Receiving Trade Interest In Their Major League Outfielders

By | at July 19, 2026 5:08pm CDT

The Athletics’ outfield depth has drawn the attention of trade suitors, according to Jon Morosi of MLB Network.  Morosi notes that rival clubs have asked about the outfielders currently on the active roster, with the idea of obtaining one of the A’s outfielders in exchange for pitching.

Tyler Soderstrom and Lawrence Butler each signed contract extensions within the last 18 months, putting the two under long-term control through at least the 2032 season.  It can be presumed that both are off the table in terms of trade talks, even if the A’s might have a bit of buyer’s remorse on the Butler extension given how his numbers have tailed off since signing that deal in March 2025.  By that same metric, however, other teams aren’t likely to have much interest in Butler given his declined production and the roughly $59MM still owed on his contract.

Denzel Clarke is on the 60-day injured list and hasn’t played since April due to hamstring injuries, but he is expected to be back at some point in August.  That probably rules the defensive standout out of trade discussions, unless Clarke (who is only in his second MLB season) was perhaps dealt for a young pitcher who is similarly new to the Show.  Such a hypothetical deal would probably be more about the future for both teams rather than something that would help the trade partner win now, but a healthy Clarke would provide a major defensive upgrade for just about any club in center field.

Like Clarke, all three of Carlos Cortes, Henry Bolte, and Colby Thomas have less than a year’s experience in the majors.  Thomas hasn’t hit much during his brief time in the Show, but Cortes and Bolte would be more interesting adds for a contender looking for immediate deadline help.

Cortes has hit .291/.349/.477 with 11 home runs over 338 plate appearances since making his MLB debut last year.  This translates to a 127 wRC+, and Cortes’ strikeout and walk rates have improved from 2025 to 2026, even if he is hitting with less power this season.  He is an average corner outfielder with a good enough arm to handle right field, and Cortes has actually posted better career numbers away from Sutter Health Park than he has at his hitter-friendly home ballpark.  The A’s have used Cortes almost exclusively against right-handed pitching, but he has hit southpaws pretty well during his minor league career.

That minor league career consists of parts of seven seasons in the Mets’ and Athletics’ farm system, as well as a stint in the Australian Baseball League in 2020.  Cortes turned 29 last month, so while he is arb-controlled through 2032, the A’s may not view him as a long-term asset.  Another team in need of a bat might well have a different view and more room in their outfield picture for Cortes, so the A’s could be open to a move if some desperately-needed pitching help can be found.

Bolte has more offensive upside than Clarke, so the A’s may view him as their center fielder of the future for now.  Since finding a solid center field glove is a lot trickier than a corner outfielder, the A’s aren’t likely to move Bolte for anything less than a premium young arm in return.  Bolte has hit a respectable .264/.343/.352 in his first 208 PA in the majors, while stealing 11 bases.

It should be noted that Zack Gelof and Jeff McNeil have gotten some time in the A’s outfield this season, and McNeil of course has plenty of outfield experience from his time with the Mets.  Gelof is pretty unlikely to be dealt, both since he’s been enjoying a bounce-back season and because he is currently on the 10-day IL.  McNeil has struggled badly all year and would be a salary dump if he is traded at all.

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