Fansided

Grading every team’s World Series chances after the trade deadline

By Brad Weiss

PHILADELPHIA, PA - JULY 24: Manny Machado #8 of the Los Angeles Dodgers looks on before the game against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park on Tuesday July 24, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Rob Tringali/SportsChrome/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - JULY 24: Manny Machado #8 of the Los Angeles Dodgers looks on before the game against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park on Tuesday July 24, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Rob Tringali/SportsChrome/Getty Images) /
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Oakland A's, Jed Lowrie, Khris Davis
CLEVELAND, OH – JULY 7: Mark Canha #20 celebrates with Jed Lowrie #8 of the Oakland Athletics after both scored on a home run by Lowrie during the eighth inning against the Cleveland Indians at Progressive Field on July 7, 2018 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) /

Oakland Athletics

To say that the Oakland Athletics have overachieved this season would be an understatement, as they have really come out of nowhere to be one of the best teams in the American League. They have a gritty lineup, pitchers that are not afraid of anyone, and have that winning attitude that is needed if you are going to surprise people in the Fall.

Heading into the trade deadline, the Athletics found themselves sitting 16 games over .500, which is way better than was expected coming into the year. Only five games back in the division, and one in the Wild Card race, the A’s are here to stay, and are finding ways to win close games late, and comeback from big deficits.

When it comes to the roster, the Athletics really only struck one big deal during the trade season, and that was for New York Mets closer Jeurys Familia. With the Mets one of the laughinstocks of baseball, Familia was deemed expendable by their three-headed monster at general manager, and the Mets really got nothing huge back for him.

In Familia, you have a guy who is one of the best closers in baseball when he is right, and he has pitched at the highest level, closing games out in the World Series. He has the makeup needed when you are entering a stretch run, and could end up being one of the steals of this trading season.

Oakland is here to stay, and they have been downright fun to watch this season. Bob Melvin recently won his 600th game as the manager of the team, and you can be sure he is going to win a whole more of them before he is done in the Bay Area.

Grade: B

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