Yankees: 3 teams that might want Jordan Montgomery-Chad Green trade package

2. Oakland Athletics

Hey, any time we can interrupt a Houston Astros run, we do it, right? The A’s are 49-38 and 4.5 games back of the ‘Stros and it’s clear they may need a bit more help to keep their postseason dreams alive.

Oakland always has a good rotation and bullpen, but there are some holes in 2021. Jesus Luzardo has been bumped from a starter to a reliever. Mike Fiers recently suffered a setback in his rehab and it’s unclear when he’ll return. Former Yankee James Kaprielian has been a pleasant surprise in the rotation filling in, but the A’s don’t even know how much longer he can go. He’s already at 57 innings pitched on the season and hasn’t thrown more than 68 frames in a single year since … 2015.

There lies a need for more rotation depth.

As for the bullpen, outside of Lou Trivino, Jake Diekman and Yusmeiro Petit, there aren’t many more viable options. Sergio Romo has been OK, so has Deolis Guerra. The loss of Trevor Rosenthal was significant. The A’s will need more high-leverage arms if they want to last through August and September and dance in October. Green’s ability to be deployed in just about any inning will be a match made in heaven for A’s manager Bob Melvin.

There’s the need for bullpen help.

Throw in the fact that Monty and Green have cost-effective salaries in 2021 and beyond, and this could be right in Billy Beane’s wheelhouse.