The MLB trade deadline is a week away, and the Oakland A’s could use some more pitching. They already established themselves as buyers earlier in July by acquiring starter Homer Bailey to bolster their rotation, but they’ll need more help than that. They’re in postseason position right now with the second Wild Card, so contention isn’t some long shot dream. It’s a real thing and this is the moment to seize it.
With that in mind, the A’s were linked to a couple big names on Monday. In his deadline diary for The Athletic, Jim Bowden reported that Oakland was one of many teams who has “at least inquired” about All-Star starters Marcus Stroman and Mike Minor.