The MLB winter meetings are coming and trade rumors are starting to fly and the Oakland Athletics could be a team to watch, as Brandon Moss and Jeff Samardzija are potential players that could move after the team traded Josh Donaldson to the Blue Jays.
According to Hardball Talk, the Cleveland Indians and Oakland A's have been talking about Brandon Moss with sources saying that a deal is not imminent, but could come later in the week. The Indians have been looking to add some offense to the lineup after the way they performed last season and the Athletics could look to add prospects from the solid Cleveland farm system. Some think the Athletics are in rebuilding mode and trading Moss would be a step in that direction.
Moss had a solid season but dropped off in the second half after Yoenis Cespedes was traded, but he does have some pop off the bat. Moss also can play the outfield and first base and he also is not over the hill yet at 31-years-old. Moss dealt with a hip injury last season and has had at least 21 home runs in each of the last three seasons and is heading into the second year of arbitration.
The Braves reportedly were interested in Samardzija as well, but the team may look at some of the mid-level free agent starters over making another trade. The Braves already traded Jason Heyward to the St. Louis Cardinals for Shelby Miller and they just signed Nick Markakis to a four year contract. The Seattle Mariners need an outfielder after trading Michael Saunders for JA Happ, but they likely will look at other options over Moss. The Athletics traded Josh Donaldson to the Blue Jays for Brett Lawrie and prospects and that came after Donaldson put up MVP-type play over the past couple seasons.
The Athletics nearly collapsed down the stretch and finished just one game ahead of the Seattle Mariners in the wild card standings before losing to the Kansas City Royals in the Wild Card Round of the playoffs.
