MLB Rumors: A’s ‘Reluctant’ to Trade Brent Rooker; ‘Huge Sale’ Unlikely at Deadline

Mike Chiari@@mikechiariFeatured Columnist IVJuly 27, 2024

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The Oakland Athletics reportedly may not be big sellers prior to Tuesday’s MLB trade deadline, meaning star outfielder Brent Rooker could be staying put.

According to Jon Heyman of the New York Post, the A’s are “reluctant” to trade Rooker and outfielder JJ Bleday, and it doesn’t look as though there will be a “huge sale” of the key players on their roster.

Heyman also noted that since Oakland’s other major trade chip in All-Star closer Mason Miller is on the injured list with a fractured pinkie on his non-throwing hand, it lessens the chances of a significant trade being made.

Rooker was once a journeyman who appeared in 81 games over his first three MLB seasons with the Minnesota Twins, Kansas City Royals and San Diego Padres, but he broke out in a big way last season.

In his first year in Oakland, Rooker appeared in 137 games and set career highs across the board with 30 home runs, 69 RBI and 61 runs scored, while slashing .246/.329/.488.

The 29-year-old earned a key spot in the Athletics’ lineup this season as a result, and he has been even better than he was in his 2023 All-Star campaign.

Through 91 games, Rooker is batting .288/.365/.583 with 25 homers, 72 RBI and 50 runs. Although he somewhat controversially was not named an All-Star, Rooker has established himself as one of the top hitters in the American League this season.

Rooker is making just $750,000 this season and is arbitration-eligible through 2027, making him one of the best values in baseball.

While the A’s are not playoff contenders, they have been better than most expected with a 43-63 record, and have won seven of their past nine games.

Rooker is arguably the biggest reason why, as he has hit a scorching .389 with 10 home runs and 25 RBI in July.

Bleday, 26, has also been a solid contributor this season, slashing .233/.314/.430 with 11 home runs, 36 RBI and an AL-leading 30 doubles in only his third Major League season.

With the A’s set to move to Sacramento next season ahead of their permanent move to Las Vegas in 2028 or 2029, they have some incentive to field a competitive team capable of drawing fans.

The Athletics have been fun to watch lately with Rooker, Bleday and Miller leading the way, and it sounds as though management doesn’t want to move on from that quite yet.