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Oakland Athletics: What other relievers might the team add at the deadline?

By Justin Fried

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - JULY 05: Kirby Yates #39 of the San Diego Padres pitches in relief against the Los Angeles Dodgers during the ninth inning at Dodger Stadium on July 05, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - JULY 05: Kirby Yates #39 of the San Diego Padres pitches in relief against the Los Angeles Dodgers during the ninth inning at Dodger Stadium on July 05, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /
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Oakland Athletics
TORONTO, ON – JULY 03: Ken Giles #51 of the Toronto Blue Jays reacts after the final out an MLB game against the Boston Red Sox at Rogers Centre on July 03, 2019 in Toronto, Canada. Oakland Athletics (Photo by Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images) /

1. Expensive options

But if the A’s are truly serious about stocking up their bullpen ahead of a potential playoff run, there are a couple of names on the market that would satisfy just that.

The first of which is Toronto Blue Jays right-hander Ken Giles. Giles has been nothing short of phenomenal this season with the Blue Jayes posting a 1.54 ERA through 35.0 innings pitched so far.

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The always-flashy flamethrower has posted a ridiculous 14.9 K/9 ratio and is giving up fewer hits and home runs than he pretty much ever has in his career. The 28-year-old is still relatively young and inexpensive and is actually under control through 2020.

For that reason, expect Giles to be among the top names on the market this deadline.

Finally, there’s San Diego Padres closer Kirby Yates. Like Giles, Yates is absolutely dominating this season currently leading the MLB in saves with 31 and coasting to a 1.02 ERA in 42 games this season.

Also like Giles, Yates has posted an absurd 14.7 KK/9 ratio but his WHIP of 0.818 is even better than the former Houston Astros closer. Yates is also under team control through 2020 meaning that San Diego could opt to just hold on to him if they don’t feel the return package is adequate.

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Still, if the A’s really wanted to make a splash at the deadline, there are no two more appealing options than Giles and Yates.

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