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Eric Sogard should be a trade target for the Oakland Athletics

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Oakland Athletics should be looking to make a trade for Toronto Blue Jays utility man Eric Sogard.

Sogard is enjoying far and away the best year of his Major League career. He’s played both outfield corners, second, third and short. Since leaving Oakland in 2016, Sogard has had a mixed time, including an awful 2018 with the Milwaukee Brewers. Milwaukee released the left-handed hitter at the end of last season, allowing him to join the Blue Jays on a one-year deal.

Featuring in six separate seasons for the Athletics, Sogard would be returning to familiar surroundings in The Bay. There’s a clear need for Oakland with Jurickson Profar and Franklin Barreto struggling.

Oakland’s number four prospect Jorge Mateo, who plays second and shortstop, is lighting up Triple-A. The Athletics are yet to hand him his Major League debut, however, and will not want to be reliant on him as they battle with the Indians, Red Sox and Rays for a wildcard spot.

The Athletics have already moved in typical Oakland fashion this July, adding Jake Diekman and Homer Bailey (both from the Kansas City Royals) without giving up notable prospect capital.

       

Much like other free agents to be, the asking price for Sogard will not be too high. Toronto have little reason to keep hold of him, and despite a great season, Sogard doesn’t have the long-running track record to justify multiple prospects. The Athletics, as always, have plenty of pieces down on the farm to get a deal done before the 31st July deadline.

Alfonso Rivas, who owns an .801 OPS in high-A, would almost certainly be enough to prize Sogard back to Oakland. It isn’t the sort of deal that will grab headlines, but that’s not the Athletics’ approach, this is the type of cheap improvement that can make the difference in August and September.

It’s worth mentioning, though, that the Athletics will not be the only team giving the Blue Jays a call about Sogard. It was reported by Jon Morosi a couple of days ago that their Bay Area rivals the San Francisco Giants have shown interest in the former Brewer.

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