Let's Make a Deal! Which Players Can the Cubs Acquire from the Oakland Athletics?

As the season enters mid-June, it is easy to look at your team in the standings and wonder what is next. In a subject for a much longer, differently nuanced article, that answer is not clear for the Cubs, as we expected it would be. But for now, let's focus on the moment in front of us, and treat the Cubs as potential or likely buyers.

The 2024 Cubs have three very obvious needs to improve this team as they still sit 0.5 GB of a playoff spot: catching help, relief pitching, and an impact bat. 

Today, let's look at the lowly A’s and see what they have as options to help the Cubs.

Relief Pitching
When looking at the Cubs bullpen, a glaring need (which was there this offseason…) is a shutdown reliever. This staff has been missing swing-and-miss stuff, and general command. The Cubs are sixth-worst in baseball with a 10.5% walk rate from the bullpen. It is hard to avoid trouble when you create trouble. Here are some intriguing targets:

Austin Adams, RHP
While Mason Miller’s 103-MPH fastball gets the buzz, Austin Adams has been a solid get for the A’s. Currently with a 33.5% Whiff Rate and low hard-hit rates as well, this is a reasonable target to add to the pen. The challenge is the 13.8% walk rate and the 1.63 WHIP on the year. However, the acquisition cost would be low. The Cubs would have to believe they could fix his control, but if they do, it might be worth a shot. 

T.J. McFarland, LHP
Lefties are everything, and this is a good one. At 35 years old, he currently sports a 67% groundball rate, with an xwOBA slightly above .200. He features a sinker, a sweeper, and a changeup--an arsenal that would look extremely solid as a lefty/groundball specialist for Craig Counsell. With a 1 year, $1.5 million contract, acquisition cost would be reasonable. 

Slugging
Brent Rooker
Rooker is a pure slugger who brings a ton of pop to a lineup. Currently, his ISO sits at .254, with a .253/.336/.507 slash. Given his home park and the league's overall offensive environment, that's massive pop. He would immediately be the best hitter on the Cubs. The trouble is that he has to DH, as he is a very poor defender in the outfielder. He is about to enter his first year of arbitration at age 29, with free agency still far off on the horizon. He fits the needs for the Cubs lineup, but acquisition cost and future roster fit makes it a bit harder to imagine.

I know you are looking for two names: Mason Miller and Shea Langeliers. I adore both players and what they do, but the cost of acquisition would be steep for a team in need of many things to right the ship. Spending all your chips on these players would not move the needle enough in 2024, nor feel prudent leading into the remaining “window.”

Anyone else on the Athletics catch your eye? Leave thoughts in the comments.