MLB Rumors: Will Oakland A’s look to trade C John Jaso?

As with many teams this season, the Oakland A’s have been hit with some major injuries, particularly to their pitching staff.

Season-ending injuries to Jarrod Parker and A.J. Griffin have left a big hole in the Oakland starting rotation, and the A’s will have to find a way to patch it up if they want to remain contenders.

Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle wrote that the A’s pitching problems point specifically to the back end of the rotation, and that there is little doubt the problem will have to be addressed. 

When the A’s have one of their top three starters going, they are 16-2. Anyone else: 2-9

The A’s are 16-2 when their big three of Sonny Gray, Scott Kazmir and Jesse Chavez are starting, but fall to a miserable 2-9 when anyone else takes the hill.

Slusser feels a trade is probably eminent for the A’s, and that several players are subject to going up on the trading block. One of them is catcher/designated hitter John Jaso.According to her, it’s almost a sure thing.

"Given the issues with the back end of the rotation, there is little doubt that Oakland, a definite contender, will look to trade for another starter and might be willing to move a player off the big-league roster to do so."

Jaso is part of the catching platoon that manager Bob Melvin is very comfortable with, but the other half of the tandem — Derek Norris — has been playing lights-out and could possibly move to a more everyday role behind the plate.

While Slusser’s logic is solid, it’s going to take some convincing for Melvin to agree to a trade of Jaso.