Is there any chance the A's keep Sonny Gray? Who else could get traded?
-- Tony D., Tracy, Calif.
Some team is going to have to pay a high price to reel Gray away from the A's, and there's no guarantee of that happening -- so, yes, there is a chance he remains in green and gold. Realistically, however, there's probably a stronger chance of such an offer falling in the A's lap and swaying them toward a deal. Though the market has yet to develop, a bidding war could easily ensue for a young, controllable pitcher like Gray amongst a bevy of contending clubs.
Gray may not be the first to go, though. Jed Lowrie appears destined to be moved, creating an everyday job for prospect Franklin Barreto; and another rental piece, Yonder Alonso, could be on the move as well.
• Alonso thrilled by hometown ASG experience
Would the A's really trade Gray to a division rival like Houston?
-- Mark R., Buffalo, N.Y.
Though not all executives are willing to make intradivision trades, A's executive vice president of baseball operations Billy Beane has never shied away from this practice. Already, Beane has completed a few of these with Houston, trading Chris Carter to the Astros back in 2013 and Scott Kazmir to them in '15. Moreover, clubs with a history of consummating trades together tend to feel more comfortable doing so again in the future.
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Do you see the A's breaking from recent tradition and trying to lock up players to team-friendly, long-term contracts similar to the one they gave Sean Doolittle a few years back?
-- Jack C., New York
I suspect the A's have at least explored the idea of extending Alonso but instead see an opportunity to gain multiple young assets by trading him to an aggressive buyer. Ryon Healy will soon be a priority, I imagine, especially with the A's eyeing a new ballpark site and publicly expressing their desire to be a contender when it opens. I could also see the A's entertaining a multiyear deal with Khris Davis, who has been open about his love for Oakland. He'll only get more expensive in arbitration.
Where will some of the club's prospects land defensively? It seems guys like Chad Pinder, Healy and Matt Olson may have to move around the field to get in the game. Or is there a plan to find them a position?
-- Blair M., Modesto, Calif.
Ideally, Olson would settle in at first base -- a big reason the A's would feel comfortable moving Alonso -- and Healy would get the bulk of at-bats in the designated hitter spot, with Pinder expected to move around in a multifaceted role. If I were targeting one position for Pinder, however, it would be right field.
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When should we expect to see Kendall Graveman again?
-- Marcus G., San Jose, Calif.
Barring any setbacks, Graveman could potentially be back by the end of the month, or early August, depending on how many rehab starts the A's think he needs before returning.