Oakland Athletics’ Possible Offseason Trades

On Wednesday, San Francisco Chronicle writer Susan Slusser reported that the Oakland Athletics are going to evoke a different strategy this offseason when it comes to trades and acquisitions. GM Billy Beane stated that they are going to shy away from trading away young players and prospects. Thus, the Athletics will look toward the free agent market as well as possibly trading some players whose contracts will be up after the 2016. So, who might the A’s trade this offseason?

Josh Reddick

Because Josh Reddick has had such a great season this year and he will be a free agent in 2017, this would be the ideal time to trade him. Additionally, he has been known for being injury-prone. It would be unfortunate to keep him for 2016 only to see him on the DL for most of the season. Lastly, since he is a veteran Gold Glove outfielder, there are definitely teams that are interested in Reddick and he is the player for which Oakland could get the most in return. This offseason would be the ideal time to trade him.

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Jesse Chavez

Jesse Chavez’s time with the Athletics has been a unique underdog story and he is highly valued in the organization. However, he will be a free agent in 2017, and it was reported around the trade deadline that a team or two was interested in Chavez. Since there will be a surplus of starting pitching talent in 2016, and with fellow long reliever Drew Pomeranz still under club control until 2019, it does not make that much sense to keep Chavez around. This may be the offseason to trade him.

Coco Crisp

Even though Coco Crisp has a no-trade clause in his contract, it would be worth it for the Athletics to try and get Crisp to waive that condition. Crisp has dealt with a reoccurring neck injury for a couple of years now and the only way to fix this problem is for Crisp to undergo career-ending surgery. He has decided to forgo the surgery for now, which means he will not be playing at the same high quality to which the fans are accustomed. Additionally, with Billy Burns playing so well as the lead off batter and in center field, there is really no need for Crisp anymore.

A.J. Griffin

As mentioned above, the Oakland Athletics are going to have a surplus of starting pitching talent come the 2016 season. Ultimately, A.J. Griffin might not make the cut even if he is able to come back from the disabled list completely healthy. Even though he will not be a free agent until 2019, it may be worth shopping him around to see what the A’s could get in return for this starter.

Craig Gentry

After a terrible start to the 2015 season, Craig Gentry was sent down to Triple-A Nashville and has been there since late May. He has been performing much better in Nashville and is a superb defenseman in the outfield. He will be a free agent in 2017 and the Athletics have enough outfielders to compensate for losing Gentry. Oakland could probably get a little something in return for Gentry if they shop him around.

It is clear that the Athletics’ front office is already focused on next season. It will be interesting to see what moves Oakland will make come this offseason. The rest of this season will be all about giving everyone a chance to play and prove themselves in preparation for 2016.

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