A's Trade Rumors

[Fullabull]

With July comes a flood of trade rumors, most recently the notion that the A's are interested in the league's hottest power hitter, Cleveland's Jim Thome.

A's general manager Billy Beane declined to comment, as he always does when the topic is players under contract to other teams, but this is an idea that seems unlikely -- it's believed the Indians have interest in first baseman Carlos Pena, and the A's probably wouldn't consider trading their top prospect for a player who will be a free agent at the end of the season. Oakland had to give up four top minor-leaguers to obtain Pena and reliever Mike Venafro from Texas in Janaury.

Beane said that the A's have not offered Pena to anyone and said any rumors involving Pena "are coming from the other side, because he's a premium prospect."

In addition, Oakland is less likely to make a deal for a rent-a-player such as Thome or, say, the Giants' Jeff Kent. Beane prefers to obtain players who have at least one additional year or option year on their contracts, or who, like Johnny Damon in 2001, will at least be with the team for one full season.

"It hasn't been our history," Beane said of pursuing free-agents-to-be at midseason. "Never say never, I don't think we'd eliminate any part of the trade market, but we try to rank our priorities."

Beane spent half an hour in manager Art Howe's office after the game but he said not to read anything into the meeting and that no deals are imminent.

"We were talking," Howe said. "Billy's always got irons in the fire."

[Fullabull]

Mike Sweeney is a good fit, but KC say's he is off limits.

Four times in the previous three years, the A's have made major deals with the Royals, including two before the trading deadline (Kevin Appier in 1999, Jermaine Dye last season).

But this summer, Kansas City might not hold the answer for Oakland. The Royals' most A's-like player, first baseman Mike Sweeney, is one of two players the team has said are off-limits (the other is Carlos Beltran).

"The rumor I heard is that if I hadn't signed my extension, I'd be gone for sure," Sweeney said. "But now I believe I'll be in Kansas City for a while."

Sweeney's $55 million, five-year extension does include clauses that would make him a free agent if the team does not have a .500 or better season in 2003 or 2004. Naturally, he's aware that Oakland might be interested in him -- after all, he's seen Appier, Jeremy Giambi, Johnny Damon and Dye all depart for the East Bay.

How's this for a Billy Beane-style player: Sweeney has a .435 on-base percentage, which would top any of the A's current numbers.

[Fullabull]

A's owner Steve Schott has told Beane he can expand the payroll for the short term to get the kind of hitter who would give the A's a better chance at the postseason. "We might 'rent' a big hitter for the rest of the season or even into next season," he said. "We're not going to take on another big contract for three or four years after we just signed Jermaine Dye to a big contract for three years before the season."

A rumored deal Sunday had Jeff Kent going to the Yankees, who in turn would trade him to the A's.

[3-2 Changeup]

Have you guys heard any names associated with the rumored trade that would bring Brian Giles from the Pirates to the A's?

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I have heard the Giles rumors since spring training.

Here is what A's beat writer Michael Urban recently wrote;

Second-half outlook: In the hunt
Needs to address
With Dye still slightly hobbled and Justice better suited to be a full-time DH, the A's could use another big-hitting outfielder. Two names that have surfaced in trade rumors are Brian Giles and Trot Nixon, but the A's might not have -- or be willing to give up -- enough young talent to pry either loose.

:hmm:
He said BIG hitting outfielder!
Why does he mention Nixon?
Anything but Nixon!

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Cory Lidle, again in jeopardy of losing his rotation spot, tossed a one-hit shutout to beat the Rangers on Friday.
A performance like tonight's really helps Lidle's trade value, but it also has to make the A's wonder if they should keep him. Either way, it's good to know that Lidle will be doing his pitching as a starter for a while longer. Aaron Harang is going to have to be patient.

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The latest and greatest rumor is catcher Pudge Rodrigez coming to the A's.
It will probably never happen because of Ivans price tag and he's a free agent at year end.. Plus the Rangers reportedly want Ramon Hernandez, Adam Piatt, and 2 minor league pitching prospects.

[Fullabull]

I-Rod is a Hall of Fame catcher.
The A's need production from that position (def & off) more than they need a second basemen or centerfielder.