The Oakland Athletics are trying to make sure they are heading to the postseason, and according to rumors, they are trying to add Adam Dunn's big bat to insure that happens.
To be clear, they not only want into the playoffs, they want to make some noise when they get there.
Right now they are 78-58, and trail the Los Angeles Angels by 5 games in the American League West. The good news is they are still 4 games ahead of the Detroit Tigers for the last spot in the American league playoff picture, even though their bats have been quiet for some time now.
Sports Illustrated broke the story on Sunday, that the Athletics and the San Francisco Giants were after Dunn, before the Monday deadline to make a deal and have the player still be eligible for the postseason. Dunn has said he is seriously considering retirement, so this may be his last season to make it to the postseason.
The 34-year-old left-handed batter is .220/.340/.433 this year, and hit his 20th home run of the season Saturday night.
Dunn has done well against right-handed pitching this season, an area where the A's could definitely use help, having struggled with injury lately.
According to Buster Olney, as of Sunday evening, the A's had separated themselves, and the deal seemed imminent.
Dunn's current team, the Chicago White Sox have some hot prospects to replace the big first baseman, namely Andy Wilkins who has already hit 30 home runs with Triple-A Charlotte this year.
The postseason deadline has led to trade activity in the past. On Aug. 31 last season the Dodgers traded for infielder Michael Young, the Pirates traded for first baseman Justin Morneau and the Red Sox , who went on to win the World Series, traded for infielder John McDonald.
