Trade Interest in Under-the-Radar Outfielder Picks Up Steam

With the trade deadline less than a week away, teams are closely monitoring Oakland Athletics reliever Mason Miller. Another player from the A’s that is gaining traction in the rumor mill is outfielder Brent Rooker. It’s easy to see how Rooker would be a trade candidate, the 29-year-old first broke out with the A’s last year but is taking it a step further this year. Rooker has a .291/.370/.578 line that comes with a worrisome 31.5 percent strikeout rate. His strong 10.7 percent walk rate and the seventh-highest slugging percentage in the majors make up for it.

Rooker was selected by the Minnesota Twins in 2017. He was traded twice by the Twins in April 2022 and the San Diego Padres four months later. Then, he was designated for assignment by the Kansas City Royals before being claimed off waivers by the A’s in November 2022.

Brent Rooker Gaining Traction in Trade Talks

Rooker has been terrific for Oakland. He closed out the first half as an All-Star snub, posting a .426/.493/.885 slash, eight home runs and 18 RBI over his final 17 games. Rooker has 23 home runs and 69 RBI this year with an astounding 16.4 percent barrel rate. In the past month, the highest OPS in MLB belongs to Rooker at 1.257. It’s the second-highest qualified hitter over that span at a mark of 1.128.

He will enter his first year of arbitration next season, giving any team control through the 2027 season. His value will garner interest from outfield-needy teams including the Cleveland Guardians, Milwaukee Brewers or the Philadelphia Phillies. The Phillies are a team who can make a trade for Rooker. USA Today’s Bob Nightengale reported on how the Phillies were rumored to be “keeping an eye” on Rooker.

The A’s should be able to land a good haul for Rooker. Despite being a late bloomer, there’s no need for Oakland to keep him through another losing season while he’s in his prime instead of when he’s over 30.

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