Winning games, but likely losing in trade battles
There’s no way to soften the news for Giants fans: That Manny Machado deal was a killer. The Dodgers, given up for dead after the season’s first six weeks, look like a reasonable bet to get back to the World Series.
For the A’s, who lost Game 4 of the doubleweekend Bay Bridge Series on Friday night, the trade market is a little bit frightening as well. The highest cards have yet to be dealt, but there’s a sense that the elite franchises — teams the A’s might face if they reach the postseason — could load up in ridiculous fashion.
Such was the prevailing mood around the Coliseum, with a lively gathering of 45,606 on
hand (announced as a sellout, although several hundred seats were empty). This is a fascinating series, among the most compelling cross-bay confrontations we’ve seen in decades. Down deep, though, how relevant are these teams in the bigger picture?
Let’s stop right here and consider the beauty of this game. When the next NBA season begins, maybe two teams will be anywhere near the Warriors’ class. Make your plans now for another set of Finals games in Oakland. Baseball isn’t that way. The Giants proved that over three World Series appearances, and it’s not quite inconceivable that both San Francisco and Oakland could go deep in this year’s postseason.
There is such a thing, however, as reasonable thought.
Whatever skeptics think, the Giants’ executives like their team. They know it’s flawed, but a lot of delightful, improbable things have happened this season. There’s character in the clubhouse and an influx of young talent led by Dereck Rodriguez, Andrew Suarez, Ray Black and Steven Duggar (might as well throw in Ryder Jones, who got a start at third base Friday night and homered off Edwin Jackson).
One would hope there’s at least a measure of contentment, for the Giants aren’t equipped to make big noise before the trading deadline. They aren’t about to trade Buster Posey, Brandon Crawford, Madison Bumgarner or Brandon Belt, not with the NL West so tightly bunched. There won’t be substantial offers for the likes of Jeff Samardzija, Hunter Pence or Mark Melancon.
Knowing how Brian Sabean and Bobby Evans like to operate, count on something happening by month’s end. If it’s a hitter with power, terrific.
The Giants certainly have earned respect throughout the division, particularly in the mind of Arizona pitcher Zack Greinke, who told reporters, “I wish the Giants would have listened to the media and just given up on the season. Everyone in the world wanted them to rebuild, and they turned themselves into a really good team by just trying to win.”
Coming up with a response to the Dodgers’ acquisition of Machado? That’s an entirely different story.
“We’re talking about a superstar, man,” said L.A. reliever Kenley Jansen upon Machado’s arrival. And there’s no way the Dodgers should settle on a half-season rental. If they can convince him to sign a longterm deal — as opposed to signing with the Yankees, a team he has longed to join — they’ll figure out a way to get Machado, Corey Seager and Justin Turner in the infield next season.
“Paul George said he wanted to be a Laker, and he stayed in Oklahoma City,” Jansen said of the NBA All-Star who surprisingly signed a new contract to remain with the Thunder this offseason. “Maybe that could happen too, and Manny could stay a long time with us.”
The A’s mustered only a shred of offense Friday night against the impressive Rodriguez, but the 5-1 loss carries no deep meaning — nor should we believe that this six-game Bay Bridge Series will determine the teams’ stances on chasing October. A better gauge for the A’s will come over the next few days, when their schedule lists Texas, Colorado and Toronto.
The truth about the A’s is that they could make a sensational deal if they saw fit. They have attractive (if not necessarily available) veterans in Jed Lowrie and Blake Treinen. They have young talent all over the field, and throughout their minor-league system. A package of, say, five highly regarded players could net them a bigtime starting pitcher.
Does that really make sense, though? The A’s have gone down that road before, only to sour the clubhouse mood and come up well short of postseason glory. They’re the talk of baseball these days with their power hitting, lockdown bullpen and a knack for late-inning comebacks. Such pleasant cohesion is a precious commodity, not to be spoiled without a damn good reason. (The A’s are interested in a more low-key deal, involving Mets reliever Jeurys Familia, and that would significantly improve the club.)
When the sublimely talented Cleveland Indians traded for Brad Hand, the San Diego Padres’ closer, it might have set off a chain reaction that finds the Red Sox, Yankees and Astros pulling off major deals. For now, the A’s only concern is catching the Seattle Mariners, fighting a midseason malaise and waiting for Robinson Cano’s mid-August return from an 80-game drug suspension.
It’s something they can handle. If the Coliseum starts filling up for games that don’t involve San Francisco, that would be nice, too.