Skip to main content

CSN Bay Area

HOME  >  NEWS  >  SPORTS
Rewind: First half woes point to another sell-off for A's
Share This Post
Comments
Sunday, July 10, 2016 - 4:30pm
Follow @joestiglichcsn

HOUSTON — The A’s welcome the All-Star break with open arms, eager for the opportunity to get away for four days, rest up and wipe the slate clean in preparation for the second half.

Problem is, their first half makes it unlikely that the current roster will stay together much longer.

The A’s are 38-51 after closing things out with a 2-1, 10-inning loss to the Houston Astros on Sunday. They are 15 1/2 games back in the American League West, and in Oakland history, only the 1979 club (30 1/2 back) and the 2001 club (19 back) faced bigger deficits at the All-Star break since divisional play began in 1969.

That makes it quite likely that the front office will pull the trigger and trade some of their most sought-after veterans before the Aug. 1 non-waiver trade deadline. Left-hander Rich Hill and right fielder Josh Reddick are the obvious candidates based on the fact that they’re due to hit free agency this winter.

But others, including third baseman Danny Valencia, second baseman Jed Lowrie and relievers John Axford, Ryan Madson and Marc Rzepczynski (another pending free agent) are all conceivable trade chips.

Sonny Gray? It’s not out of the question considering he would command a nice haul even with subpar numbers this season, with so many contenders looking for starting pitching. But considering the 26-year-old Gray only hits arbitration for the first time this winter and is under team control until 2020, the A’s also have incentive to keep him for now.

The speculation and uncertainty is something A’s players know well. They were in a similar boat last year, only the situation wasn’t as bleak. Oakland entered the All-Star break 8 1/2 games off the pace and went 3-2 to begin the second half before starter Scott Kazmir was dealt to the Astros. Reliever Tyler Clippard and utility man Ben Zobrist were traded in the days after.

“I think a lot of us in here have seen it happen,” Reddick said. “(The key) is just not worrying about it. It’s not something we can control or dwell upon. I feel like we’ve just got to come in here, and if and when the moment happens for a person that gets traded, we’ve just gotta keep going. We’ll play a ballgame the next day.”

Reddick insists he’s trying to keep the same mentality for his individual situation. He and the A’s haven’t held contract talks for a while, and being that the A’s are certain to lose him once he hits the open market at season’s end, a trade seems very possible. CSN California reported recently that the Giants are among the teams with interest in him. The Cubs, Dodgers, Blue Jays and Nationals have shown at least some interest and the San Francisco Chronicle reported Sunday that the Royals are eyeing him.

“If I get called into the office and it happens, it happens,” Reddick said of a trade. “If not, I’ll be here for the remainder (of the season) and keep trying to win no matter what. I’m just gonna come in and enjoy my time with my teammates and the time that I’m wearing these colors. We’ll have to just see what happens.”

[STIGLICH: Instant Replay: Manaea strong, but Astros walk off vs A's]

The A’s led 1-0 and were looking for the game’s final out Sunday when Evan Gattis doubled in the tying run off closer Ryan Madson, who had a rough weekend with two blown saves. He holds a 9.64 ERA against the Astros this season in six appearances (4 2/3 IP). Houston’s winning run scored in the 10th on a throwing error by Valencia at third, whose throw across the diamond on Carlos Correa’s grounder was wide of first and allowed Jake Marisnick to score the game winner. It was one of four errors the A’s made. Offensively, they had just four hits.

“You don’t win many games with four errors, yet we got one pitch away from winning the game,” Melvin said. “The first ones didn’t cost us, the last one did.”

Said Valencia: “I knew I had to get rid of it quick because Correa was running, and I threw the ball wide.”

The silver lining for the A’s was lefty Sean Manaea, who threw seven scoreless innings in the best start of his rookie season. He’s one player who seems guaranteed to stick around beyond Aug. 1, but question marks remain elsewhere on Oakland’s roster.

“You can’t control (trade speculation),” Melvin said. “There’s more notoriety to it nowadays because there’s countdowns and clocks and all that sort of thing. You can’t escape it. But hopefully if we play better as a team, it won’t be impactful, and we’ll keep our guys together.”

NBCBayArea.com

There is no data to display.

Video

Call to the Pen: Outfielders edition with Burns, Reddick
Morning Minute: Cueto takes All-Star Game loss; Warriors introduce Pachulia
1-on-1 with Zaza Pachulia: A 'perfect fit' with Warriors
Warriors' Draymond Green addresses arrest in Michigan

Giants

MLB Power Rankings: Giants setting the pace entering second half
Giants' Belt, Posey go hitless as NL loses All-Star Game
Former Royals teammates take Cueto deep in All-Star Game
Does Manfred have PED concerns with spike in home runs?
Read More

Athletics

The A's Insider Podcast: Radio broadcaster Vince Cotroneo
A's 2016 first-round pick AJ Puk makes pro debut
Giants among five ideal trade partners for A's at deadline
A's Vogt doesn't see field as AL beats NL in All-Star Game
Read More

Sharks

Report: Former Caps GM to run NHL's Vegas expansion team
Sharks set up well for next summer's expansion draft
On one-year deal, Doan returns for 20th season with Coyotes
Sharks Mailbag: Meier impresses; where will Boedker play?
Read More

49ers

Former 49ers receiver among NFL's best in red zone
49ers to face NFL's most difficult schedule in 2016 season
Forbes' 50 most valuable sports teams: 49ers vault to Top 10
49ers WR Smelter: With Boldin, Smith, 'I learned how to be a pro'
Read More

Raiders

Raiders in top third of league's easiest schedules in 2016
Family sues Chiefs over fan's beating death at Arrowhead
More work remains on Vegas stadium plan: 'Not at the end'
Five Raiders with most to prove in training camp
Read More

Warriors

Cuban loves an NBA villain: Everybody will root against Warriors
NBA Summer League: Warriors advance past Rockets in first round
Draymond's accuser leaves Michigan State football program
Gentry confused by backlash from Durant joining Warriors
Read More

NCAA

Fighting for money, Penn State exhibits staggering vileness again
Crabbe staying in Portland after Blazers match Nets' offer
Cal OG among 10 Pac-12 players on Outland Trophy watch list
Oregon track, football to be represented in Rio Olympics
Read More
  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • MLB Standings
  • G-Mag
  • When Giants Fan Met Dodgers Fan
  • Amy G
  • Insider Alex Pavlovic
  • Buy Giants Gear
  • Buy Giants Tickets

Latest News

MLB Power Rankings: Giants setting the pace entering second half
Alex Pavlovic

GIANTS VIDEO

Belt: 'I will never forget' first All-Star Game experience
Belt: 'I will never forget' first All-Star Game experience
See more >

GIANTS INSIDER

  • MLB Power Rankings: Giants setting the pace entering second half
  • Giants notes: 'Light at the end of the tunnel' for Pence
  • Rewind: Bumgarner comes close again to checking off no-hitter
  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • MLB Standings
  • All A's
  • Eireann Dolan's Call to the 'Pen
  • Insider Joe Stiglich
  • Buy Athletics Gear
  • Buy Athletics Tickets

Latest News

The A's Insider Podcast: Radio broadcaster Vince Cotroneo
Joe Stiglich

A's VIDEO

Call to the Pen: Outfielders edition with Burns, Reddick
Call to the Pen: Outfielders edition with Burns, Reddick
See more >

A's INSIDER

  • The A's Insider Podcast: Radio broadcaster Vince Cotroneo
  • Giants among five ideal trade partners for A's at deadline
  • Five A's first-half storylines you couldn't predict
  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • NHL Standings
  • Insider Kevin Kurz
  • Buy Sharks Gear
  • Buy Sharks Tickets

Latest News

Report: Former Caps GM to run NHL's Vegas expansion team
Associated Press

SHARKS VIDEO

Wilson: After run to Cup Final, Sharks 'set to be good for long time'
Wilson: After run to Cup Final, Sharks 'set to be good for long time'
See more >

SHARKS INSIDER

There is no data to display.

  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • NBA Standings
  • Warriors Central
  • Steph-in' Amazing
  • Cookin' with the Currys
  • Insider Monte Poole
  • Buy Warriors Gear
  • Buy Warriors Tickets
  • Stream the Warriors on Live Extra

Latest News

Cuban loves an NBA villain: Everybody will root against Warriors
(1)
CSN Bay Area staff

WARRIORS VIDEO

1-on-1 with Zaza Pachulia: A 'perfect fit' with Warriors
1-on-1 with Zaza Pachulia: A 'perfect fit' with Warriors
See more >

WARRIORS INSIDER

There is no data to display.

  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • NBA Standings
  • Insider James Ham
  • Buy Kings Gear
  • Buy Kings Tickets
  • Stream the Kings on Live Extra

Latest News

Kings blown out by Hawks in summer league tournament
(2)
CSN Bay Area staff

Kings Video

Ham: Kings 'making lot of phone calls;' trade on the way?
Ham: Kings 'making lot of phone calls;' trade on the way?
See more >

KINGS INSIDER

There is no data to display.

  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • NFL Standings
  • Insider Matt Maiocco
  • Buy 49ers Gear
  • Buy 49ers Tickets

Latest News

Former 49ers receiver among NFL's best in red zone
(1)
Rotoworld.com

49ers VIDEO

Kap 'building a new foundation' in 49ers' new regime
Kap 'building a new foundation' in 49ers' new regime
See more >

49ers INSIDER

  • Five players who face make-or-break seasons with 49ers
  • Bowman welcomes longtime friend Durant to Bay Area
  • 49ers veterans, rookies report to camp on same day
  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • NFL Standings
  • Insider Scott Bair
  • Buy Raiders Gear
  • Buy Raiders Tickets

Latest News

Raiders in top third of league's easiest schedules in 2016
Rotoworld.com

RAIDERS VIDEO

Horrow: Airport politics could derail Raiders-to-Las Vegas
Horrow: Airport politics could derail Raiders-to-Las Vegas
See more >

RAIDERS INSIDER

  • Five Raiders with most to prove in training camp
  • Seth Roberts 'creating separation' with consistent approach
  • Favre: Carr not a gunslinger, 'he's a little more polished'
  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • MLS Standings
  • MLS Player Leaders
  • Buy Quakes Gear
  • Buy Quakes Tickets

Top Story

Despite Ronaldo injury, Portugal shocks France in Euro Final
(1)
Associated Press

More Stories

Earthquakes cough one up at Avaya to FC Dallas
Iceland's run ends with 5-2 loss to France in Euro quarters
(4)
See more >

Quakes Shop

JOE STIGLICH

The A's Insider Podcast: Radio broadcaster Vince Cotroneo
See more >

ALEX PAVLOVIC

MLB Power Rankings: Giants setting the pace entering second half
See more >

MATT MAIOCCO

Five players who face make-or-break seasons with 49ers
See more >

SCOTT BAIR

Five Raiders with most to prove in training camp
See more >

MONTE POOLE

Pachulia wants to start after 'personal' decision to join Warriors
(39)
See more >

JAMES HAM

How eight new additions fit Kings' roster in 2016-17
(1)
See more >

KEVIN KURZ

Sharks set up well for next summer's expansion draft
(34)
See more >

RAY RATTO

Fighting for money, Penn State exhibits staggering vileness again

AFF - A'S

Authentic Fan Friday - A's

Come to Authentic Fan Friday at the A's! 

Sit in the Value Deck and score free giveaways - get more info here!

 

FOLLOW US!

Follow us on Twitter @CSNAuthentic.

SAY HEY TUESDAY

s

Join us for Say Hey Tuesday – every Tuesday Giants home game.

NCAA

  • Stanford Football
  • Stanford Basketball
  • Stanford Women's Basketball
  • Cal Football
  • Cal Basketball
  • Cal Women's Basketball
  • SJSU Football
  • SJSU Basketball
  • USF Basketball
  • USF Women's Basketball
  • Saint Mary's Basketball
  • Santa Clara Basketball
  • Fresno State Football

MORE

  • Biz Ball
  • Combat Sports
  • Motor Sports
  • Golf
  • Tennis
  • Ray Ratto

 

TICKETS

  • Giants Tickets
  • A's Tickets
  • 49ers Tickets
  • Raiders Tickets
  • Warriors Tickets
  • Kings Tickets
  • Sharks Tickets
Curry Jersey
Giants Fitted Hat
49ers Hoodie

Mega Menu: Shop

  • Giants
  • A's Shop
  • 49ers
  • Raiders Shop
  • Warriors
  • Kings Shop
  • Sharks Shop

Mega Menu: Shop - Tickets

  • Giants Tickets
  • A's Tickets
  • 49ers Tickets
  • Raiders Tickets
  • Warriors Tickets
  • Kings Tickets
  • Sharks Tickets

Latest Videos

Call to the Pen: Outfielders edition with Burns, Reddick
Call to the Pen: Outfielders edition with Burns, Reddick
See more >

ORIGINAL PROGRAMMING

  • G-Mag
  • All A's
  • Carpool Confessions
  • Steph-in' Amazing
  • Cookin' with the Currys
  • When Giants Fan Met Dodgers Fan
  • Amy G’s Exclusives
  • Eireann Dolan's Call to the 'Pen

TV SHOWS

  • All Videos
  • SportsNet Central
  • SportsTalk Live
  • But Seriously

INSIDERS

  • Ray Ratto - Senior Insider
  • Matt Maiocco - 49ers
  • Scott Bair - Raiders
  • Monte Poole - Warriors
  • James Ham - Kings
  • Kevin Kurz - Sharks
  • Joe Stiglich - A's
  • Alex Pavlovic - Giants
  • TV Schedule - Bay Area and California
  • Channel Locations - Bay Area
  • Channel Locations - California