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MLB Trade Rumors: Athletics drawing interest in closer Ryan Madson

By Dan Schmelzer

Jul 7, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; Oakland Athletics relief pitcher Ryan Madson (44) pitches during the ninth inning against the Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park. The Athletics won 3-1. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 7, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; Oakland Athletics relief pitcher Ryan Madson (44) pitches during the ninth inning against the Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park. The Athletics won 3-1. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports /
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The latest MLB Trade Rumors have many competitive teams interested in Oakland Athletics’ closer Ryan Madson.

The 38-51 Oakland Athletics are extremely unlikely to make the playoffs in 2016, and general manager Billy Beane has never been afraid to sell pieces as he looks to the future. There are many players who the Athletics could look to sell, and closer Ryan Madson is one of their more obvious trade chips.

According to Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle, several teams have turned their attention to Madson after fellow A’s relief pitcher Sean Doolittle hit the disabled list with a shoulder injury.

The A’s agreed to a three-year, $22 million free agent contract with Madson this off season after he turned his career around with the Kansas City Royals in 2015. Madson has not been perfect with the A’s, posting a 3.62 ERA and saving 17 games in 22 chances, but he is a good reliever who would make sense for many competitive teams.

Slusser mentions the emergence of A’s relief pitcher Ryan Dull possibly allowing the team to move Madson if there is enough interest, and specifically mentions the Washington Nationals, Toronto Blue Jays and Chicago Cubs as possible trade partners.

Madson resurfaced with the Royals last season, after not pitching in the majors since 2011 because of elbow issues. Despite the long layoff, Madson came back better than ever last season, posting a 2.13 ERA and striking out 8.24 batters per nine innings.

He was an important part of the Royals’ World Series championship, and while he has not been as dominant this season, he could certainly still play a large role on a contender in 2016.

The stuff is still there and Madson has recent big-time postseason experience. It is easy to see why teams would have interest in trading for him prior to the July 31 trade deadline.

For more MLB Trade Rumors, be sure to check out our hub page.

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