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

By Nicholas Ian Allen

OAKLAND, AZ - JUNE 04: Yonder Alonso #17 of the Oakland Athletics hits a single against the Washington Nationals during the ninth inning of the MLB game at Oakland Coliseum on June 4, 2017 in Oakland, California. The Nationals defeated the Athletics 11-10. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
OAKLAND, AZ - JUNE 04: Yonder Alonso #17 of the Oakland Athletics hits a single against the Washington Nationals during the ninth inning of the MLB game at Oakland Coliseum on June 4, 2017 in Oakland, California. The Nationals defeated the Athletics 11-10. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /
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The Oakland A’s are open for business, and Sonny Gray, Yonder Alonso and others could be on the move before the MLB trade deadline.

By trading Sean Doolittle and Ryan Madson to the Washington Nationals Sunday, the Oakland Athletics made the first of what is expected to be several deals by the MLB trade deadline.

Entering Wednesday with a 42-52 record and 21 games out of first place in the AL West, as well as seven games out in the crowded AL Wild Card race, the Oakland front office has already started looking ahead to 2018. Realistically, the A’s brass probably has its eyes set farther than next year, and might be attempting a full rebuild.

Though it has happened far too often for fans in the Bay Area in recent years, the timing is right to remake the roster. Even after parting with Doolittle and Madson, the A’s have a handful of valuable trade chips, including arguably the most valuable player currently on the block in starting pitcher Sonny Gray.

Every team in need of a starter down the stretch is interested in Gray, including the Cubs, Astros and Dodgers, according to various reports and rumors. But he’s not alone. All-Star Yonder Alonso is in the middle of a breakout performance at the plate, and at least one high profile contender is in need of a first baseman.

Others, such as Rajai Davis and Jed Lowrie, could play a key role as part-timers on contending clubs, and moving them would clear the way for younger A’s to get more playing time. And though neither Davis nor Lowrie is likely to get the A’s a huge return in terms of prospects, there’s one wild card in the mix that could command a huge offer from a contender in need of big-time power.

5. Trade Jed Lowrie to the Red Sox

The Red Sox are in desperate need of help at third base. And though there are potentially better options still available, including Eduardo Nunez and Josh Harrison, among others, former Red Sox infielder Jed Lowrie could help.

According to a Peter Gammons tweet Sunday, the A’s hadn’t had a single call on Lowrie this season, which as Gammons noted, is surprising. The 33-year-old switch-hitter has a .267/.334/.446 slash in 89 games this season, with 10 home runs, 27 doubles, 33 RBI and 52 runs scored. The uptick in power has been a particularly pleasant surprise since Lowrie hadn’t reached double digits in long balls since 2013.

Though he has played second base exclusively this season, Lowrie has recent experience elsewhere on the infield. Since 2015, Lowrie has played shortstop 19 times and lined up at third base in 47 games. Earlier in his career, Lowrie played first base as well, and would surely be able to do it again if called upon.

Lowrie is entering the final guaranteed year of a contract he signed with the Houston Astros in 2015, though the deal also includes a $6 million team option for 2018 with a $1 million buyout. If the Red Sox (or another club in search of infield depth) acquired Lowrie this month and were pleased with his performance, they could pick up the option for next season. If it doesn’t work out, and Lowrie’s new club wanted to move on without the 10-year major league veteran, it wouldn’t cost them much.

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