The Athletics want a boatload of talent for him, as do any teams that have even marginal starting talent available. “If there’s a way to improve our pitching, we feel as flexible as we were yesterday,” said Atkins. But our starting pitching has been phenomenal. If GM Ross Atkins gets his wish, Tuesday’s trade for extra outfielder Melvin Upton will be just an appetizer for the main course later this week. When this deadline comes and goes next Monday, there are going to be teams who have greatly overpaid for average talent.

Source: National Post July 27, 2016 13:41 UTC