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MLB Trade Deadline: 5 trades Oakland A’s should make

By Dan Schmelzer

Jul 6, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Oakland Athletics starting pitcher Sonny Gray (54) pitches to the Minnesota Twins in the first inning at Target Field. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 6, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Oakland Athletics starting pitcher Sonny Gray (54) pitches to the Minnesota Twins in the first inning at Target Field. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports /
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Rich Hill
May 23, 2016; Seattle, WA, USA; Oakland Athletics starting pitcher Rich Hill (18) throws against the Seattle Mariners during the second inning at Safeco Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports /

The A’s found value when they landed Rich Hill on a one-year, $6 million deal this offseason. After falling out of the major leagues and getting back in as a bullpen arm, Hill found a ton of success as a born-again starter with the Boston Red Sox last season.

The A’s brought him in and gave him a full opportunity to start this season, and Hill has continued to dominate opposing batters.

Through 13 starts, Hill has posted a 2.25 ERA and is striking out an incredibly impressive 10.7 batters per nine innings. His success appears to be completely legit, but a 36-year-old pitcher who is set to become a free agent this offseason provides little to no value to the rebuilding A’s.

Beane will undoubtedly look to move him to a contending team prior to the MLB Trade Deadline. With starting pitching always at a premium, the A’s may be able to land a big return in exchange for Hill.

There is undoubtedly a ton of teams interested in Hill, but the rotation-needy Dodgers are among the most obvious matches. They simply need to find some stability in their rotation after Clayton Kershaw, and it may only be for one season, but Hill should be able to provide that through 2016.

He is a perfect fit for Los Angeles and they have the prospect ammunition to make the deal happen. Jharel Cotton would be the primary part of this trade for the A’s.

Cotton has had some struggles at Triple-A this season, but he is an extremely talented pitcher who the A’s would undoubtedly covet in a trade. Kyle Farmer, who the Dodgers have been trying to convert into a full-time catcher, has great on-base skills that would particularly appeal to the A’s.

This is a trade that would make plenty of sense for both sides.

Next: 4. Kansas City Royals

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