A’s trying to ignore trade speculation
Draft week is over, meaning the trading season has effectively begun.
In advance of the July 31 deadline, contenders are identifying out-of-the-running teams for their available players, including the Phillies ( Cole Hamels and Jonathan Papelbon), Reds ( Johnny Cueto and Aroldis Chapman), Brewers ( Carlos Gomez and Jonathan Lucroy) and perhaps the Rockies ( Troy Tulowitzki and Carlos Gonzalez). And, of course, the A’s. With the worst record and highest bullpen ERA in the American League and the most errors and one-run losses in the majors, the A’s haven’t showed signs of recovery beyond the recent 9-3 run through their sweep in Detroit.
They’re 2-6 since then, 14 games below .500, and won’t get Coco Crisp or Sean Doolittle back anytime soon, so the signs lean toward a bevy of trade talks involving Ben Zobrist, Scott Kazmir and anybody presumably not named Sonny Gray who’d be available in this so-far-lost season.
“I knew that was going to happen if we weren’t playing well, and we didn’t play well” until recently, Zobrist said of his inclusion in trade speculation. “I’m not oblivious. I have friends and family who say they heard this or that. It doesn’t factor into anything I do for preparation or during the game.”
It’s nothing new for Zobrist. His only two teams have been the Rays and A’s, so it comes with the territory. He was acquired from Tampa Bay in January with shortstop Yunel Escobar, who was flipped to the Nationals for reliever Tyler Clippard.
Like Zobrist and Kazmir, Clippard and Eric O’Flaherty will be free agents after the season, but as we know from the Josh Donaldson deal and others, a man doesn’t need to be near free agency for general manager Billy Beane to deem him trade bait.
What would Beane want in return? Pitching, as always. Left fielders have supplied limited production. The catching depth in the minors is thin. Shortstop — is Marcus Semien in for the long haul? Second base? The A’s like prospect Joey Wendle, who was acquired for Brandon Moss and is playing well for Triple-A Nashville.
Kazmir, whose eight scoreless innings Thursday showed he’s over his shoulder tightness, could be in high demand as a cheaper alternative to Hamels, who’s signed through 2018 and tops $20 million annually. Zobrist, seven weeks removed from knee surgery, is valuable for his defensive versatility and track record at the plate, though he’d need to improve his numbers to improve his trade potential.
Of course, Beane could keep Zobrist and Kazmir, make qualifying offers to both and receive supplemental draft picks. But moving them before the deadline with 2016 in mind might be preferred — so long as the A’s don’t start winning games like it’s 2013.
For now, the A’s are trying to focus on how they’re playing today, not where they’ll be tomorrow.
“I don’t think about it. I just ignore it,” Zobrist said of trade talk. “I’ve got enough to think about today getting ready to play. I think that’ll take care of itself in due time. I think we’re a good team. If we play as well as we’re capable of playing, hopefully we’ll get back in the hunt.” Heston hysteria: Jonathan Sanchez being embraced by his father, who saw his son pitch in the majors for the first time. Matt Cain showing his appreciation for Gregor Blanco, who made the best catch of his career. Tim Lincecum turning a scowl to a smile when bear-hugged from behind by Buster Posey. A matured and mustached Lincecum watching Joe Panik, in his fifth big-league game, handle the final play.
What’s the lasting image of Chris Heston, the latest Giants pitcher to throw a nohitter?
Freezing Ruben Tejada, as he did with Danny Muno and Curtis Granderson, striking out three ninth-inning batters, all looking?
His Little League coach tearing up? If only he had been captured on camera.
We’ll go with Heston’s reaction after the final out, beginning to walk back to the dugout as if the game wasn’t over.
“I don’t think I knew where to go, to be honest with you,” Heston said. “I was kind of lost in the moment.” Around the majors: Barry Bonds’ three-day kids baseball camp, which is June 22-24 through Future Prospects Baseball in San Rafael, has been made more affordable, dropping in price from $1,600 to $600. ... Among all the warning signs in the Atlanta clubhouse — don’t gamble, don’t use steroids, don’t keep dip tins in your back pocket — there’s this: “Please do not use cooking spray on your shoes. It kills the grass immediately. Thank you for your cooperation.” Apparently, the Rays’ players used it to keep mud off their cleats, but it was as toxic as Roundup. ... Before Pat Venditte, Greg Harris wanted to be a full-time switchpitcher but got only one chance, late in his final season. When Harris was with Boston, GM Lou Gorman said a lefty/ righty pitcher would be “a mockery of the game.” To make a stand, Harris wore his ambidextrous glove, similar to Venditte’s, to the mound. ... How can we not root for seven Royals to start the All-Star Game after all those years the team played in the shadow of the Yankees, Red Sox and every other team besides Pittsburgh? Long time coming for Kansas City fans. ... The Astros will level Tal’s Hill in center field at Minute Maid Park, and knee joints and ankle joints around the majors are thankful. ... Trivia question: Who coached both Brandon Belt and Mike Krukow? It was Augie Garrido, who had Belt at the University of Texas and Krukow at Cal Poly. Garrido, who was at the past two Giants games, calls himself a Bay Area guy. He grew up in Vallejo and got his first college gig at San Francisco State in 1969.