Prepare To Say Good Bye To Favorite Athletics Players
The Oakland Athletics business model is typically to build a young team which surprisingly wins a lot of games, and then they trade away the best players on the team.
In this case however, this season's team is not going to surprise anyone. For the second season in a row, the A's will finish as one of the worst teams in the American League.
All that means is the majority of the trades won't wait until the off-season, but fans could see some of their favorite players traded away in the coming months.
After losing nine out of the last 10 games, the A's sit at a record of 14-21.
Although the record is poor, Oakland has players which can bring back good value to the team in a trade.
If you were considering buying an A's jersey of your favorite player, read below to refrain from buying one of a player who will be gone shortly.
1. Josh Reddick
According to Susan Slusser of the SF Chronicle, reports have the Chicago White Sox and Cubs as teams which could be interested in the Athletics' outfielder.
Since Reddick joined the team in 2012, he has been a massive fan favorite in Oakland.
It's been a struggle for him to stay healthy over the years, but he has shown when he is healthy that he can be a very good player in the league.
Reddick had his best season in 2012 when he hit 32 home runs and 85 RBI, while also winning a gold glove in right field.
In the last year of his deal, teams fighting for a playoff spot may look to add Reddick as a rent a player for the remaining part of the season.
Reddick is hot at the plate right now. He's batting .317 on the season and if it continues, it would only add more trade value.
2. Sonny Gray
Thinking about trading Gray may be difficult for Athletics fans to hear. While he's been struggling this season with a 6.00 ERA, he has been one of the best pitchers in the American League since he came up in 2013.
One of the hardest things to see as an A's fan is watching good, young talent get traded away, but it wouldn't be a complete shock to see Gray leave Oakland this season.
Although Gray technically doesn't become a free agent until 2020, he is arbitration eligible during the upcoming off-season.
Oakland showed with the Josh Donaldson trade that they like to avoid taking All-Star players to arbitration because of the money they may end up owing the player.
If the Athletics feel the need to avoid arbitration with Gray, trading the young pitcher could be a very real possibility.
3. Stephen Vogt
Vogt is another All-Star player who isn't technically a free agent until 2020, but is arbitration eligible during the upcoming off-season.
However, if Vogt and the A's went to an arbitration hearing, the catcher more than likely wouldn't get awarded an amount of money Oakland couldn't afford.
In this case, the value Vogt could bring back in a trade is the most intriguing aspect. Teams are always looking for a catcher who can produce at the plate.
Vogt is the ultimate representation of the Athletics. He's a player most of the league didn't see potential in, but came to Oakland and turned into a player many didn't think he could be.
For that reason alone, Vogt could find himself on the Athletics for years to come, but if the team is offered enough for the catcher, fans may have to say good bye to yet another fan favorite.
4. Chris Coghlan
The Athletics traded for Coghlan during this past off-season with only one year remaining on his current contract.
That is typically a clear sign the team thinks he will have value at the trade deadline to bring back some prospects.
It happened last season with Zobrist, and it could happen this year with Coghlan if he can start producing at the plate.
Coghlan's main value is his ability to play almost every position on the field. He's a career .265 hitter as well, but he is struggling this season with an average under .200.
If he can't raise his average, teams may not show as much interest in the utility man at the trade deadline.
