The trading deadline is 6 weeks away, but the hot stove has already heated up. Yonder Alonso has come out with a surprisingly strong and specific statement about staying with the A’s beyond 2017 and Gray has been linked, however presumptuously, to the Astros.
Dealing Jed Lowrie is simpler with Franklin Barreto knocking on the door and Lowrie playing as well as he can possibly play. Ryan Madson is having a terrific season, but relievers are volatile and it would free up significant payroll to shed the last 1.5 or so years of Madson’s $22M contract.