Last year, while in the middle of a similarly substandard season, the A's dealt starter Rich Hill and outfielder Josh Reddick to the Dodgers in a trade that netted them three young pitchers: Jharel Cotton, Frankie Montas and Grant Holmes. The year before, a series of moves led to the departures of veterans Scott Kazmir, Ben Zobrist and Tyler Clippard.
The A's won't shy away from continuing the trend, setting the stage for an intriguing month that will further shape Oakland's seemingly promising future.