Report: Athletics are ‘reluctant’ to trade Brent Rooker

Report: Athletics are ‘reluctant’ to trade Brent Rooker

The Oakland Athletics continue to be one of the worst teams in the American League despite having a 17-game lead over the Chicago White Sox, who are on pace to have baseball’s worst record since the Mets went 40-120 in 1962.

That said, the Athletics have a pair of highly sought out trade chips in closer Mason Miller and outfielder Brent Rooker. Miller’s price remains astronomical with him being two years away from reaching arbitration; he also just hit the injured list with a fractured hand, furthering the unlikelihood that he gets moved.

Rooker, who enters the first year (of three) of arbitration this winter, is the more likely trade chip. Though the Athletics are hesitant about moving their 29-year-old slugger–in addition to JJ Bleday—according to MLB Network insider Jon Heyman.

“A’s are telling teams they are reluctant to trade Brent Rooker (.948 OPS) or JJ Bleday (30 doubles),” Heyman reported Saturday via the New York Post. “With progress being made and 103.7-mph closer Mason Miller on the shelf, it doesn’t look like a huge sale for them.”

The last big deadline sell that Oakland made was flipping Frankie Montas and Lou Trivino to the New York Yankees for Ken Waldichuk, Luis Medina, Cooper Bowman and JP Sears back in 2022. That worked out for Oakland, but the Matt Chapman, Matt Olson, Chris Bassitt, Sean Manaea and Sean Murphy trades all came during the offseason.

Whether or not the A’s can capitalize on Rooker’s value remains to be seen. He entered Sunday with a .294/.369/.585 slash line–equating to a .954 OPS and 170 OPS+, which still somehow kept him off the All-Star team–with 25 home runs and 72 RBIs in 92 games. The one-time All-Star had an .817 with 20 doubles, 30 homers and 69 RBIs in 2023.

Oakland sold Chapman after the worst season of his career. They did the exact opposite with Olson, where the headliner of that deal–Cristian Pache, a former top prospect–did not bear enough fruit to stick with the Athletics, of all franchises.

Should they deal him? Probably, even though he’s due to slightly regress because of his exceptionally high .372 BABIP. That should further incentivize them to sell–sell high when you have the chance. He’s going to command a haul regardless, and sluggers of his type come at a premium–even if his market may slightly be limited due to his DH role.

***

Click Here for more MLB Content

Subscribe to Vendetta’s Twitch

Subscribe to Vendetta’s YouTube

Check out the Vendetta Shop