1. Cole Hamels to the Athletics
The Athletics are back again on this list, this time trying to bolster up their starting staff to make a run at the Wild Card. They’re just four games back of Seattle and will need some help, but if they add Schwarber and Hamels too they’ll have a shot at catching Seattle.
The Athletics best pitcher this year has been Sean Manaea who is 9-6 with a 3.42 ERA in 20 starts, adding Hamels to the mix, who has 16 career playoff starts would help an otherwise inexperienced staff.
While the A’s bolster up for a potential run at the Wild Card, Texas launches their rebuild. Sheldon Nease is a third baseman who hit 16 home runs last year while batting .321. He’s gotten off to a slow start in AAA this year, but he’s still a highly touted piece and a potential replacement for Adrian Beltre.
Then there’s Logan Shore who has a 4.01 ERA. He was much more effective at A ball and has struggled a bit in AA which likely means he just needs some more time to develop. He was a second-round pick from 2016.
Last but not least there’s Richie Martin. Martin’s a shortstop and a former first rounder from 2015. He’s hitting .287 with a .769 OPS in AA this year. Those three guys should be able to yield Hamels without mortgaging the future.
Next: A's acquire Familia from Mets
All five of these moves are fair, value wise, but each is outside the box and would be a little surprising to see happen. Hopefully, July 31, 2018, gives us an entertaining deadline day.