NBC Sports Bay Area’s Jessica Kleinschmidt previews the July 30 MLB trade deadline with several intriguing candidates who could be of interest to the A’s including a power bat from a division rival.
Nelson Cruz will not be wearing green and gold this season.
The Tampa Bay Rays have acquired the veteran designated hitter in a trade with the Minnesota Twins, the two teams announced Friday.
ESPN's Jeff Passan was first to report the Twins and Rays were finalizing a deal.
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The A’s were one of the teams rumored to be a possible landing spot for Cruz heading into the July 30 MLB trade deadline.
However, with the Rays sitting in second place in the AL East (57-39), the seven-time All-Star slugger will provide their lineup with a boost.
This season, Cruz slashed .294/.370/.537 with 19 home runs and 50 RBI in 85 games for the Twins.
The A’s will continue their search for an additional power bat and arms to bolster their bullpen, as general manager David Forst told NBC Sports California on numerous occasions.
Oakland Athletics
The problem is, most teams on the bubble heading toward playoffs will be searching for the same things.
For now, however, the A’s are sitting well with designated hitter Mitch Moreland, who has seven homers and 24 RBI in 61 games. Veteran Jed Lowrie also has served as the DH on numerous occasions and has come through clutch when needed.
The A’s have been linked to Colorado Rockies shortstop Trevor Story, who could provide a power bat, but with Elvis Andrus’ recent uptick on offense, Story might not be as big of a priority. MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand reported, citing a source, that there is a team which is interested in Story as a centerfielder. It’s unlikely that team would be the A’s with Ramon Laureano entrenched at the position, but it's very possible other teams might consider Story in the outfield.
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The Toronto Blue Jays also were rumored to be interested in Cruz.
The Rays sent right-handed minor league pitchers Joe Ryan and Drew Strotman to the Twins in the transaction.
Forst and the A's now can cross Cruz off their wish list and turn their attention to other players who might help them get back to the playoffs.
