The Athletics' record stands at exactly .500 after 92 games, but they sit seven games back of the molten hot Rangers in the AL West. GM Billy Beane said he didn't anticipate being that active before the non-waiver trade deadline, but that hasn't stopped contending teams from checking out his roster for potential fits.
Susan Slusser of The San Francisco Chronicle brings us the latest and greatest from the East Bay…
- Ben Sheets is a potential target for both the Phillies and Twins, though the A's have no desire to move the righthander. He is still owed $4.3MM for the remainder of this season, and he is currently on pace to earn the full $2MM worth of incentives in his contract, which are based on innings pitched. $6.3MM total is pricey for a guy with a 6.66 ERA away from his home park.
- Slusser says that Vin Mazzaro's emergence (3.50 ERA in 64.1 innings) could make Sheets expendable, ditto healthy returns by Brett Anderson and Dallas Braden.
- Detroit scouted reliever Michael Wuertz this weekend, which is not the first time they've done so this season. They also have their eye on Craig Breslow. Slusser says Oakland might not want to sell low on Wuertz, who's gone from a 2.63 ERA and 11.67 K/9 last year to 5.30 and 6.75 this year, respectively.
Mazzaro’s ERA is 3.50, not 3.81. You forgot to count today’s game.
Personally, I do not believe that the A’s are “looking to hold onto” Ellis and Sheets. While Beane has an irrational mancrush on Eric Chavez and Mark Ellis, there is no reason to hold on to Ellis right now since a) He’s a FA after this year, b) his option is for above market price, c) his defense has declined this and last year, and d) teams want him. Likewise with Sheets, who there is no value in keeping the rest of the year as he won’t resign, won’t be worth a draft pick, and costs a lot of money for a non-playoffbound team.
I’ve been hoping that the A’s would fall out of it so they would listen on Kevin Kouzmanoff. He would look great manning the hot corner for the Twins.
The A’s won’t deal Kouz because they have absolutely nobody who projects to be above league average at 3B for the time being. Cardenas has a chance, but he’s still a ways away for sure.
They could plug Rosales in, but Ellis is more likely to be traded than Kouzmanoff, and Rosales would replace Ellis.
The A’s are going to deal Sheets…C’mon who really thought he would finish the year in Oakland? If the Twins offer up a high ceiling prospect it would be foolish to pass.
Mark Ellis will likely be dealt in my estimation because of his age and 5.5 – 6 Million a year salary he would command in the off-season. Plus the A’s as an organization are very deep at 2B.
Are the Dodgers or maybe even the Mets teams that would interested in a player like Ellis?
As for the Wuertz he has very low value now, but has shown signs in his career of being a very good middle reliever.
Phillies might be interested in Ellis
The A’s have to stop quitting so fast they always do that each year while this year is understandable with the lack of offense and health they have. next year they should try to
make serious run for the AL west and not bring back chavy or duchscherer
The A’s are dropping about $25 million in payroll after this season.
They should trade Sheets, Ellis and Crisp (if they can) for a handful of prospects, buyout Chavez and then spend that money on a bat in the offseason.
And don’t forget about Eric Sogard at second base. He doesn’t have any power, but he hits for average and he’s got a nice OBP and a bit of speed.
I agree that a decent prospect in an offer for Sheets should get it done. I would like the Twins to take a shot. Is Dave Bromberg too much? Maybe something like Robertson and Slama would work.
Sheets isn’t worth wasting a prospect for. He’s not good this year.