MLB Trade Deadline: 5 teams that could shape the trade market

Oakland Athletics

Billy Beane is almost synonymous with the trade deadline, always a player and usually playing both sides of the field. With a 29-40 record, he’ll likely be more of a seller than a buyer, but it’s his ninja-like ways that could spin a few deals that simultaneously rebuild the team with both veterans and prospects.

Among his wares, Beane has a small smorgasbord of players that could entice would-be buyers. He has a solid starting pitching in Scott Kazmir (2.84 ERA, 8.64 K/9), a sought-after reliever in Tyler Clippard (2.96 ERA, 10 saves), and a super-utility man in Ben Zobrist that will give teams help at any position. All three players are free agents at year’s end and all constitute rentals, as none are likely to extend before hitting free agency, but Beane has a way of getting maximum value out of deals.

To do so, Beane may sweeten the pot a bit. Not afraid to move anyone, Beane can be expected to be asked about starter Sonny Gray and right fielder Josh Reddick as well. Both are controllable assets to any team and both could net a big return for Oakland. That holds especially true if Beane is able to get a third team involved, a specialty that he’s exploited throughout the years in order to continue to funnel young talent into the A’s farm system.

That said, I doubt that Oakland would move Gray, who is still pre-arbitration eligible and controllable for another four seasons after 2015. To do so, Beane would have to be moved off his feet by a huge package of prospects that are a mix of MLB-ready and projectable talent.

Can he get that in today’s market?

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