Oakland Athletics: What positions should the team target at the trade deadline?
By Justin Fried
2. Starting Pitcher
The A’s were left in quite the bind following Frankie Montas‘ suspension late last month. Montas had been having a career year and was the team’s unquestioned ace posting a 2.70 ERA through his first 15 starts.
Unfortunately, his absence has left an ace-sized hole in the team’s rotation.
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Brett Anderson and Mike Fiers have done a solid job of holding down the fort at the top, but the likes of Chris Bassitt and Daniel Mengden remain unproven. And it’s not as if Tanner Anderson or Paul Blackburn inspire much confidence.
There is one caveat, however. That being that the A’s have already made a move for a veteran starter — former Cincinnati Reds right-hander Homer Bailey.
Bailey made his first start Wednesday in the team’s 10-2 rout of the Seattle Mariners going six innings and giving up just two earned runs and earning the win.
The A’s could still count on the returns of some of their many injured young pitchers such as Jharel Cotton, Sean Manaea, A.J. Puk, and Jesus Luzardo but not every one of them would be shoo-in candidates for the rotation, to begin with.
Acquiring another veteran starter might be the move to make if the A’s are serious about a deep playoff run this season.