With less than two months to the trade deadline, I’ve started evaluating early potential targets for the Braves, beginning with teams that will 100% be selling off their spare parts this summer. If you missed any of the previous editions, check the links below.
- Braves trade targets from Angels
- Braves trade targets from Rockies
- Braves trade targets from White Sox
Now, we move what I like to call old reliable, the Oakland Athletics. Over the last three years, Alex Anthopoulos has swung two blockbuster deals with the A’s, acquiring All-Stars Matt Olson and Sean Murphy. The deals haven’t worked out quite as well for Oakland, so it begs the question if they would even be willing to deal with Anthopoulos again, but they do have a few trade targets that could interest the Braves.
Brent Rooker
Rooker is probably best served as a DH than an outfielder, and the Braves certainly don’t need a DH with Marcell Ozuna in the fold. But with a struggling outfield, they could be willing to give up a little defensively for an offensive boost, which Rooker can certainly provide. He’s hitting .274 this season with 12 homers, good for an OPS just south of .900. He’s also under contract through 2027, so he could potentially be Ozuna’s replacement as a designated hitter when Ozuna’s contract is up.
Paul Blackburn
The A’s have some pitchers everyone will call about in Mason Miller and JP Sears, but I don’t see them moving those guys. However, they have some veterans that could help round out the Braves rotation, beginning with Paul Blackburn. Over his last three seasons, he owns a 4.31 ERA and 4.10 FIP over 49 starts.
Ross Stripling
Stripling had a fantastic start to his career with the Dodgers and was productive with the Blue Jays after that. He hasn’t been the same guy with the A’s, and the surface level numbers are dreadful this season as he’s 1-9 with a 5.82 ERA. However, his 3.98 FIP suggests he’s due for some pretty severe positive regression, and perhaps getting out of Oakland would do him wonders.
—
Photographer: Mark Goldman/Icon Sportswire
You must log in to post a comment.