The Athletics acquired lefty Jake Diekman from the Royals on Saturday but they may not be done yet.
Oakland has explored deals for Mets starter Zack Wheeler and Reds righty Tanner Roark, according to The Athletic.
The A's already acquired starter Homer Bailey from Kansas City this season, but they don't appear to think they have enough depth in their rotation.
#Athletics do not figure to stop with Diekman and Homer Bailey, both of whom they acquired in separate trades from #Royals. Per sources, they have explored adding another starting pitcher, with #Mets’ Zack Wheeler and #Reds’ Tanner Roark among their targets. @TheAthleticMLB.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) July 27, 2019
Both Wheeler and Roark are free agents after this season, so the Athletics will not have to give up the same haul for guys like Noah Syndergaard and Marcus Stroman who have two years and one year remaining on their deals, respectively.
Oakland is 58-47, eight games back of the Astros in the American League West and a 1/2-game back of the Rays who possess the second wild-card spot.
The Athletics earned the second wild-card spot in 2018 by virtue of a great second half, but they had to go with an opener in the wild-card game against the Yankees and lost that game after Liam Hendriks got the team off to a rough start by allowing two runs in the first inning.
Oakland went on to lose 7-2.
The team has some good starters in Mike Fiers, Chris Bassitt, Brett Anderson and Bailey, but Anderson has dealt with injury issues as has Bailey, Bassitt is young and Frankie Montas — who is the team's best pitcher — can't pitch in the playoffs due to a PED suspension.
They need help in their rotation and they need it immediately. Both Wheeler and Roark would give them that.