At 59-47, the A’s sit right in the thick of a crowded AL Wild Card race. They already signaled their willingness to upgrade the 2019 roster by bolstering their bullpen, but the team is at least considering much bigger targets than Jake Diekman. Per Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle, the club has made inquiries on Mets’ starters Noah Syndergaard and Zack Wheeler. Slusser notes that the A’s have also reached out to the Tigers to inquire about Shane Greene.
The trade candidacies of all three hurlers have been discussed ad nauseum in recent days. Syndergaard’s is the most fascinating of the trio, as we’ve heard conflicting reports on how determined the New York front office is to move him and head-scratching ideas of a three-team trade that would net the Mets Marcus Stroman, with the Wilpons’ questionable willingness to approve any Thor deal lurking in the background. It’s clear the fireballer would have a broad market if the Mets decide to make him available. While his 4.33 ERA this season is higher than average, his peripherals paint the picture of at least a solid mid-rotation starter. On top of that, Syndergaard comes with two and a half years of team control, a pre-2019 track record of dominance and still-overpowering stuff.
The cases of Wheeler and Greene are more straightforward. Wheeler’s a pending free agent on a non-contending club, so it’s no surprise to see his name being bandied about. While we’ve heard some speculation the Mets could pursue a Wheeler extension in hopes of contending in 2020, he still looks to be one of the more likely trade candidates in baseball. After all, even if the Mets do flip Wheeler, there’s no reason to believe they couldn’t reengage with his representatives on a long-term deal after he hits free agency.
Wheeler would immediately vault to the front of another patchwork A’s rotation, potentially giving them an arm they’d feel comfortable deploying in the AL Wild Card game if they secure a spot. On the other hand, it’s arguable the club should pursue a more moderate starting pitching upgrade, rather than pushing in for perhaps the game’s top rental trade candidate when any hope of winning the division has all but evaporated.
The bullpen doesn’t stand out as a particular area of weakness for Oakland, especially after yesterday’s acquisition of Diekman. A’s relievers rank in the top five in park-adjusted ERA and FIP, making it one of the game’s strongest units. That said, stockpiling bullpen depth could be an alternative to paying a premium for a starter, and it’s worth noting the club bullpened its way through last season’s Wild Card game, which they may be inclined to try again if they get there. (Of course, they lost that game, but one loss doesn’t mean the front office should or will abandon the strategy). Greene’s 1.22 ERA in 2019 is not sustainable, but he’s having a good season no matter which metric you examine and comes with an additional year of team control via arbitration. Nearly every contender figures to check in on the top relievers on the trade market, so it’s unsurprising to hear Oakland continuing to poke around on that market.
Oakland’s top-heavy farm system could make a Wheeler or Greene trade a bit more complicated than would appear at first glance. While any Syndergaard trade would presumably include one of A.J. Puk, Jesus Luzardo, or Sean Murphy, those names would almost certainly be off the table in any trade for a rental or non-elite reliever. To acquire Wheeler or Greene, the A’s would seemingly need to package lower-tier prospects of interest to the Mets or Tigers, respectively, which could make finding a centerpiece of a deal challenging. That’s not to say the A’s couldn’t meet the asking price on either player- they certainly could- but swinging a deal would likely involve multiple low-level pieces not currently among the game’s top 100 prospects.
jdgoat
This months been a bore but it’s going to be an exciting flurry the next couple of days.
PopeMarley
If this months been a bore for you. Get out play some Golf. Go for a hike. Try skateboarding. Throw a BBQ. Visit an NFL Training Camp.
jdgoat
Fun fact: I’ve played the most golf I’ve played in my life this month. I can almost double bogey every hole now!
Eightball611
Fun fact: don’t admit that on a site made of mostly males.
trendysayings
he was doing a thing called humor. f u n f a c t
mrmaster1
What planet are you from? Probably Uranus, I presume..
#funfact
terry g
There is a lot of “ifs” in this story which makes you wonder if Noah is truly available.
rondon
True, but the site does have “Rumors” in the title.
Vizionaire
only to trade them away for more prospects!
twinsfan368
The A’s ain’t gonna make the playoffs tho
arc89
They would be a sure bet if they played in the weak central where you have 3 teams tanking. Its much harder playing in the toughest division in baseball.
GiftOfStab510
Oh really? A Twins fans saying this aa his team ket a huge lead evaporate to just one game. While you are trash talking the A’s not making it….the Twins may not make it. Lot of baseball left dude
Strike Four
lol sure, just like you said last year, and every year since 2000.
A-A
If Luzardo is on the table I doubt anyone beats that offer.
Also can’t see the A’s offering both Murphy and Puk, which would probably be an even better offer. But who knows?
josephf
I’m willing to bet that Luzardo and Murphy are the only untouchables. Do you think if A’s put AJ Puk on the table the Mets would talk? I don’t think any other team is going to put an elite pitching prospect like him on the table.
hammertime510
Why not get the trio – Syndergaard, Wheeler and McNeil
Luzardo, Barreto, Profar, Holmes, Neuse, Mengden, Murphy . Should open up discussions.
Codeeg
Profit?
Strike Four
Murphy is more needed than McNeil, the A’s love Lowrie, they’d probably take him back instead for basically nothing.
of9376
I would love to see the A’s make some aggressive moves and really go for it this year.
zacharydmanprin
Fans said that a few years ago when the A’s traded Yoenis Cespedes. Then they lost their minds. Had it not been for Brandon Moss’ hip fracture and Bob Melvin leaving Lester I’m too long nobody would have considered it a bad trade.
king beas
So everyone in the league has interest in syndergaard but people in the comment section still write up packages with non top prospects
oakland1
Trading for Thor is going to require to much. A’s need to hold their top 3 prospect plus Mateo who will help next year in Oakland when they have a better chance at competing. If anything they should go after Stroman.
Strike Four
Where is Mateo going to play on next years A’s? Semien & Laureano kinda turned into elite players at SS and CF and Barreto et al are in front of Mateo at 2B.
zuma
Barreto still hasn’t proved he belongs on a major league roster, I could see Mateo surpassing him very soon on the depth chart. Add to that Profar’s struggles and I wouldn’t be surprised to see Mateo starting at 2B next year. That said if they need to trade Mateo this week for a SP, so be it.
zacharydmanprin
Mateo is garbage. He has no plate discipline or idea of the strike zone. 114/22 K/BB ratio 19/9 SB/CS ratio. The only reason for his numbers are due to a hot start (gone cold) and hitting in Las Vegas.
RMenzel
.301 ave 20 HRS, 70 RBI’s for Mateo?? maybe the air in Vegas has something to do with it?? What about Mateo and Neuse?? for Greene and Farmer??
oakland1
Like Zuma mentioned, I to think he will be starting 2B next year, Barreto just isn’t cutting it.
RMenzel
Mateo to Detroit for Shane Greene??
metfan4ever
Funny how nothing being reported about Seth Lugo. “Seth Lugo signed a 1 year / $591,875 contract with the New York Mets, including $591,875 guaranteed, and an annual average salary of $591,875. In 2019,- good and cheep. Maybe why they want to keep him BUT @ 29 yrs was a good starter too. A,package with Wheeler/Matz and I would even look to move Amed Rosrio (tooooo many Errors @ ss but Hits & is young) and with Andres Gimenez, SS top prospect @ ss and Ronny Mauricio, SS right behind him, the MET can move Rosrio. (should have given him to the Marlins when they asked for him for JT.) Hechavarria can hold down SS. Thor is 26 and when he’s up for FA @ 28 we’ll see. He love the NYC limelight so he doesn’t want out of NYC & the Mets will never trade him to the Bronx. If the A’s, and they wouldn’t give the Mets Ramón Laureano a true CF then Lugo/Wheeler or Metz(please take Metz) for him and maybe Sean MurphyC – I would give all 3 & Justin Wilson would help their pitching issue now and old lose 1 MLB player. Oakland SAVE % is 56.86%, so need for back end relief. .
swingrz213
What on God’s green Earth are you talking about? The A’s aren’t trading Laureano and they’re not giving up any of their top prospects for any Mets. None of what you tried to say will ever happen.
tcaldwell12
Hahaha “tried to say”
metfan4ever
swingz213 –maybe you should have read it ALL– If the A’s, and they wouldn’t give the Mets Ramón Laureano” Do you now understand that I know they wouldn’t give him up. I’m just showing what the Mets would need. But the A’s do have a save % of 56.86% THAT FACT. So come closing time the A’s LOSE almost half their leads-FACT-google it swing and miss.
bowserhound
I’m just happy there’s some news on the A’s here.
Strike Four
Puk, Holmes, Mateo, Dunshee & cash for Thor, Wheeler and Lowrie
The A’s really should go all out and get Syndergaard, Wheeler, Greene, Puig and Gennett for actually not that big a haul, and then win a World Series title, just a thought!
swingrz213
No, they shouldn’t. They can’t afford to give up their top prospects when they’re so close to joining the team. I can see them giving up Nuese for the right deal because he is blocked by Chappy and Olson, but they’re not going to trade their stud pitching prospects.
josephf
I don’t think Holmes has much value. He’s increasingly looking like a future reliever. And the A’s taking back Lowrie’s bad contract is going to be a non-starter for the A’s. Payroll constraints and all.
martras
If the A’s are in on Syndergaard it’s pretty clear he’s being undervalued by other clubs and Beane sees surplus value in trading for him.
This looks like an Athletics move, if Beane can turn around and trade Syndergaard this offseason or next year before the deadline and recoup a bunch of the prospect value lost while also improving the Athletics’ chance to make the playoffs / World Series in two consecutive years.
Syndergaard is going to be expensive. Teams seem to be dramatically overvaluing their prospects right now.
swingrz213
I think it is more a case of Beane simply asked about Syndergaard’s availability. The only way he’s coming to Oakland is if like you said, he’s being undervalued, which I don’t believe is the case.
Bruin1012
If Thor is being undervalued then the Mets keep him they don’t have to trade him. If teams want to prospect hug and make there top prospects off limits then he isn’t getting traded. If someone steps and makes an offer you can’t refuse then you trade him. Pretty simple.
jim stem
Murphy, Mateo, Chapman and Puk for Ramos, Syndergaard, Frazier, Gsellman and Nimmo.
powderb
You’re an idiot
Raysbear96
If anyone can shake up the deadline, it’s Billy Beane, you better believe he wants to get in the WC and win it and Thor can do that.
Screamer
I have zero idea how you can say the A’s bullpen is good; have you watched any games? Buchter is terrible, Treinen gives up a run everytime he comes in. Hendriks only thing keeping it together
Rob66
Mets would be fools to trade Syndergaard now. He reminds me of Max Scherzer whil he was still in Arizona. Don’t trade low!!
josephf
Well Brodie Van Wanagen is a fool so I wouldn’t count it out.
Screamer
“The A’s bullpen now leads the AL with 20 blown saves. Tied for second-most in the Majors”
But they have the 5th best bullpen according to… YEAH RIGHT
Onyourfeet
My dad is a die hard Mets fan while I am a die hard A’s fan. I had to overpay in his estimation for Syndagard while he was willing to give Wheeler away. So instead I would propose Mateo and Neuse for Matz or DeGrom. I know DeGrom is a fantasy but I think Matz wont cost as much as Thor and more than Wheeler. But Matz can be that Greg Maddux type when hes on. We could even throw Kapreilien in for good measure.
josephf
LMAO the A’s aren’t getting Thor, DeGrom, or Matz for anything less than one of Luzardo or Puk.
Onyourfeet
Yes thats why its a fantasy. And your right it would take either Puk or Luzardo plus Mateo for either Matz or Syndagard. But the Stroman trade makes this more plausable.