If the all-star break is over, then it must mean one thing: The Oakland Athletics are open for business.
Not so much the business of winning baseball games. but the annual disposition of assets. General manager Billy Bean is always one of the most active wheelers and dealers at the trade deadline, selling off expensive players (or at least those about to become expensive) in exchange for young, controllable talent and this year is no different than most.
Is it a hot, well-priced pitcher you're after? Look no further than 36-year-old reclamation project Rich Hill, 9-3, with a 2.