As of June 26, the Athletics were in the playoff hunt with a 40-42 record but have since lost 13 of their last 14 games, leading to a nine-game losing streak and a likely shift to a seller’s position at the trade deadline. Potential trade chips include relief pitcher Mark Leiter Jr., who has a solid 4.41 ERA and is attractive for budget-conscious teams; starting pitcher Jeffrey Springs, who has struggled but could benefit from a larger ballpark; and catcher Jonah Heim, a valuable backup with a strong defensive record and potential for increased trade value.
