Playoff contenders covet A’s talent
A miracle came Stephen Vogt’s way. From the dregs of Oakland, he landed (via trade) in Milwaukee, suddenly an exciting, vibrant franchise with a healthy division lead on the Chicago Cubs. He’s quick to point out how much he loved the A’s and a great bunch of teammates, but in this entirely new world, he recently told reporters, “I could see it immediately. You walk in and it’s contagious. This group loves each other and has each other’s backs.”
So as much as the A’s fans may miss Vogt, they should be happy for him. He deserves this kind of exposure. These are different times when it comes to the A’s and trade talk, well removed from the shell-shocked aftermath of deals involving Josh Donaldson, Yoenis Céspedes and Addison Russell. The A’s are far better equipped to withstand the departures of key veterans — and by the way things look, life is about to get much better for Sonny Gray and Yonder Alonso.
As in Vogt’s case, both men say they would love to stay in Oakland. That’s what everyone says as the trading deadline approaches. There’s no sense in moaning, “I can’t wait to get out of here,” or “it sure would be nice to play before some big crowds.” All the same, for Gray and Alonso, change will be welcome.
Alonso seems like a perfect fit for the Yankees, who need a first baseman and have a farm system rich in prospects. His newly adjusted swing has turned him into a major power threat (20 homers), and he’s
exceptional defensively. Miami wouldn’t be a bad destination either, returning Alonso to his home town with a team about to be sold — all to the good — by its widely despised owner, Jeffrey Loria.
The Yankees are looking into Gray, as well, after losing pitcher Michael Pineda to an elbow injury that may require Tommy John surgery. Multiple sources reported Friday that the Cubs also want Gray, even after acquiring reputable starter Jose
Quintana in a fascinating crosstown deal with the White Sox. It’s been rumored that a contender is interested in Gray as a reliever and it’s doubtful he would resist the notion of closing games in the postseason.
The most attractive locale, however, might be Houston. The Astros’ roster is ridiculously fun and entertaining: Jose Altuve, Carlos Correa, George Springer, Carlos Beltran, Yuli Gurriel (one of the very best from Cuba and now in full blossom, finishing the first half at .297 with 11 homers) and former A’s teammate Josh Reddick, an invaluable clubhouse presence described by manager A.J. Hinch as a clutch peformer and “the red-ass, the guy who’s going to make everybody sit up straight and play the game right.” Drop Gray into that priceless atmosphere, with the World Series a distinct possibility, and he wouldn’t believe his good fortune.
Gray isn’t quite the same pitcher he was two years ago, when Dave
Magadan, then the Texas Rangers’ hitting coach, told ESPN, “We faced Sonny Gray several times this year, and every time he was a different pitcher. He was a sinker/slider guy one game, threw four-seamers and a changeup the next, a two-seamer/over-the-top curveball the next, and then he threw all four pitches in another start.”
Gray’s repertoire may have lost a bit of luster, but it remains plenty effective — and he’s the
kind of man any team would embrace. As for the residue in Oakland if the A’s lose Gray and Alonso, it’s hardly depressing. The A’s have stockpiled enough young talent — Ryon Healy, Matt Chapman, Franklin Barreto, Chad Pinder and Matt Olson — to solidify the infield for years to come. With a new ballpark looming on the horizon, they are strongly inclined to keep those players and use veterans (Jed Lowrie is also in that group) to acquire more prospects in trade. It’s an interesting club, finally prepared to withstand significant losses.
More on the way
Keith Law, ESPN’s tuned-in source of amateur scouting, on outfielder Austin Beck, the A’s No. 1 draft pick who recently signed: “Some of the best bat speed scouts have seen in years, along with above-average running speed and a plus arm. He’s going to be huge when his upper body fills out, so he might end up as a powerhitting right fielder rather than staying in center.” ... The A’s also signed a couple of intriguing players from the College World Series. Greg
Deichmann, the LSU right fielder, has exceptional power and ranks above average with his speed and throwing arm.
Brian Howard, TCU’s 6-foot-9 right-hander, is a big-game pitcher who went 6-0 in the NCAA tournament during his career, including a seveninning, 13-strikeout gem this year against Texas A&M. He’s got a ton of personality and a bit of swagger, stalking animatedly behind the mound like Max Scherzer after a big strikeout. He likes to sprint off the field at inning’s end, a trait that may need correcting. The great ones take their sweet time. “If you’re out there dominating,” said CWS analyst
Ben McDonald, who pitched nine years in the majors, “walk slowly off the bump and take it all in.” ... Renato Nuñez ,a Venezuelan outfielder in the A’s system, hit a rocket-like home run in Wednesday night’s Triple-A All-Star Game and has hit 24 in 84 games. His poor defense (third base and the outfield) has held him back ... Adamant in his insistence that the 2017 baseballs are not “juiced,” and thus not a big factor in the radical increase in home runs, Commissioner Rob
Manfred said his office will look into the bats, as well. If that’s the case, forget the nature of impact; consider the ongoing danger of maple bats, which shatter for no good reason and send sharpedged weapons on a scary path. Texas pitcher
Andrew Cashner was lucky he wasn’t impaled by a piece of Edwin Encarnacion’s bat on June 29; he was only moderately injured when the thing struck him square in the elbow. And it wasn’t about Encarnacion getting jammed. That bat came apart on a pitch that was right down the middle. Work on eliminating cheap maple, Mr. Manfred. Don’t wait around for the ambulance and the stretcher.