MLB Trade Rumors: Athletics Kicking Tires On Chase Headly, Jimmy Rollins

According to ESPN.com's Jerry Crasnick, the Oakland Athletics continue to kick the tires on a number of possible pick ups before the trade deadline, though not appear to be more than lukewarm on the hot stove at the moment.

Per Jerry Crasnick on Twitter:

The #Athletics have discussed Jimmy Rollins and Chase Headley as possible left-side-of-the-infield upgrades.

— Jerry Crasnick (@jcrasnick) July 26, 2012

Problem is, Headley would require a big prospect haul, and Rollins makes too much $$. He's owed about $26M through 2014.

— Jerry Crasnick (@jcrasnick) July 26, 2012

The Athletics may very well be looking to buy before the deadline, though will also remain in the realm of the pragmatic when it comes to making any deals. Billy Beane won't give up the farm to get and aging infielder in Rollins and the Padres would certainly want a lot in return for one of their only sluggers.

None of this seems conducive for a trade for either player, though you never quite know with the Athletics.

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Athletics Vs. Blue Jays Final Score: Oakland Win Streak Ends In Toronto After 10-4 Loss

All good things must come to an end and so it was for the Oakland Athletics on Thursday afternoon, as their winning streak ended at seven games. The Toronto Blue Jays managed to avoid being swept at home as they managed a 10-4 win to wrap things up.

Josh Reddick belted his 22nd home run of the season with two outs in the first inning to get the scoring started. The A's actually jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the game after Brandon Inge homered in the top of the fourth inning, but Edwin Encarnacion countered with a three-run shot (his 27th of the year) to tie things up in bottom of the fourth.

Reddick picked up another RBI on a groundout in the top of the fifth to put the A's back ahead 4-3, but two runs scored on a bunt and Tom Milone throwing error in the bottom of the sixth to put the Blue Jays on top 5-4. The home team never loooked back after that, scoring a run in the seventh and another four runs in the eighth for the decisive victory.

Oakland still has plenty of momentum and will head into Camden Yards in search of another series win against the Baltimore Orioles beginning on Friday.

For more in depth discussion and analysis of the Oakland Athletics, make sure that you check out Athletics Nation as well as SB Nation Bay Area.

Athletics Vs. Blue Jays Final Score: Oakland Brutalizes Toronto, 16-0

The Oakland Athletics stretched their win streak all the way out to seven games on Wednesday with an absolutely dominating win over the Toronto Blue Jays at the Rogers Centre. The A's have secured the series win with a 16-0 drubbing.

The A's knocked Blue Jays starter Ricky Romero out of the game in just 1.1 innings. Yoenis Cespedes hit an RBI double in the first inning, but Oakland romped for eight runs in the second inning. Coco Crisp, Jonny Gomes, Josh Reddick, Brandon Inge and Derek Norris had RBI hits in the inning, while Chris Carter drew a bases-loaded walk and Brandon Hicks had an RBI groundout.

Amazingly, it was already 9-0 by the time Oakland hit their first home run. Crisp hit a solo shot in the third inning and added another solo home run in the fifth. Chris Carter hit a third solo home run in the sixth inning to make it 12-0. Yoenis Cespedes and Carter picked up an RBI each in the eighth inning and Brandon Hicks and Brandon Moss drove in runs in the top of the ninth.

A.J. Griffin had another fantastic outing for the A's, going six scoreless and giving up just three hits and two walks, striking out nine along the way.

The A's will go for the Canadian sweep on Thursday.

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MLB Trade Rumors: A's Eyeing Stephen Drew, Jimmy Rollins?

Even though the Oakland Athletics didn't land Hanley Ramirez, there still are some options out there when it comes to infield help, including a few big names like Stephen Drew and Jimmy Rollins.

According to a report from CBS Sports' Danny Knobler, Oakland held off making the deal for Ramirez because they remained concerned about his current hand injury that has kept him from playing since Friday. Nevertheless, they certainly aren't done trying to make some deals:

The A's are still looking to add, and they do have backup plans. They've been scouting Stephen Drew, have had interest in Yunel Escobar, and have even kicked around the possibility of trying to bring hometown kid Jimmy Rollins back to Oakland.

As the A's continue to surge up the standings with their outstanding turnaround, making a trade for another quality infielder could be that push that puts them over the playoff edge.

For more in depth discussion and analysis of the Oakland Athletics, make sure that you check out Athletics Nation as well as SB Nation Bay Area.

Athletics Vs. Blue Jays Final Score: Oakland Wins Sixth Straight, 7-2

The Oakland Athletics kicked off a three-game series against the Toronto Blue Jays at the Rogers Centre on Tuesday. The A's showed no signs of slowing down their hot streak as they rolled to a 7-2 victory to extend their winning streak to six.

In the top of the second inning, Derek Norris hit a two-out, two-run homer to get the scoring started. The Blue Jays cut the led to 2-1 when Travis Snider led off the bottom of the third inning with a home run and the starting pitchers held the score right there until the top of the seventh inning.

The seventh was when the A's broke through with a huge five-run inning. Jemile Weeks hit an RBI triple, Coco Crisp followed with an RBI double and Yoenis Cespedes followed up two walks with a bases-clearing RBI single to make it 7-1. J.P. Arencibia hit one last solo home run for the Blue Jays in the bottom of the ninth, but the A's had already sealed up the win.

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MLB Trade Rumors: A's Interested In Hanley Ramirez?

With the MLB trade deadline approaching fast, the Oakland Athletics are looking to make a move or two that will give them that extra push towards claiming a playoff spot this season. And according to USA Today's Bob Nightengale, Oakland is now showing some interest in Miami Marlins third baseman Hanley Ramirez.

Per Bob Nightengale on Twitter:

The Oakland #Athletics, desperate for infield help, have jumped into trade talks for #Marlins Hanley Ramirez, joining #BlueJays and #RedSox.

— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) July 24, 2012

Ramirez could be a wonderful pickup for the A's by not only solidifying the left side of the infield with the ability to play both shortstop and third base at a very high level, but also by adding another powerful bat to the lineup as well.

Ramirez is currently hitting .247 with a OBP of .322, both considerably lower than his career numbers of .300 and .374. He still has 14 homers and 47 RBI for Miami though, the kind of power and production that the A's infield could certainly need.

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Athletics Vs. Blue Jays Series Preview: TV Schedule, Probable Pitchers & More

The A's visit the Blue Jays for a three-game series. Oakland wants to keep their hot streak going.