Following a 3-17 slide that dropped the Athletics to 41-55, General Manager David Forst confirmed the club will evaluate its strategy before the August 3 trade deadline. While the team remains 6.5 games back in the American League Wild Card race, officials warn that sustained poor play necessitates a shift toward selling.
Front Office Response to a Brutal First Half
The Athletics entered the unofficial All-Star break on a nine-game losing streak, a performance that has forced the front office to reconsider its mid-season outlook. Just weeks ago, the club held the final American League Wild Card spot with a 38-38 record, but a recent 3-17 stretch has left them with only a 1.4% to 2% chance of reaching the postseason, according to reports from MLB.com and FanGraphs.
David Forst, General Manager, via MLBTR
Forst acknowledged that while the team showed promise earlier in the year, they obviously need to start playing better baseball in a hurry.
With the August 3 deadline approaching, the organization must decide if they remain buyers seeking pitching reinforcements or if they pivot to a sell-off of veteran assets.
Roster Turnover and Coaching Staff Changes
The team’s recent struggles have triggered both personnel cuts and coaching staff reassignments. This week, the Athletics designated pitcher Aaron Civale for assignment. Civale, an impending free agent, struggled to a 5.42 ERA, and his departure opens a rotation spot for Jacob Lopez. Lopez, who posted a 4.08 ERA last year, will attempt to reclaim his form after a stint in the minors.
The coaching staff has also seen significant movement. After the dismissal of pitching coach Scott Emerson, the club promoted bullpen coach Dan Hubbs to the interim role. To fill the vacancy left by Hubbs, the organization promoted Javy Guerra from the Double-A Midland RockHounds. Guerra, a former big leaguer who won a title with Washington in 2019, had been serving as the Midland pitching coach since 2025.
Trade Deadline Stakes and Prospect Assets
The team’s path forward hinges on their performance in the weeks immediately following the All-Star break. If the Athletics continue to slide, they may look to trade veterans such as Mark Leiter Jr. or Jeff McNeil. Conversely, if they attempt to push for a playoff spot, they remain in desperate need of a proven starter and a veteran reliever.
One of the team’s most notable assets is prospect Tommy White. As a player described as Major League-ready
with elite hitting traits, White represents a significant chip should the front office decide to aggressively pursue pitching help. Meanwhile, the club must also weigh the status of All-Star catcher Shea Langeliers, who remains a potential trade candidate as he is not currently signed to an extension.
The organization’s deadline strategy remains highly contingent on the health of their core. With key contributors like Nick Kurtz, Zack Gelof, and Denzel Clarke currently on the injured list, the team’s ability to remain competitive is hampered. As noted in the MLB.com outlook, Kurtz is viewed as a pivotal figure for the second half; should his absence from the lineup be prolonged, the pressure to transition into a selling role will likely become unavoidable.
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