The Yankees have signed Sidney Ponson (to a minor league deal) and added him to their 40 man roster.  This may take them out of the running for a stop gap SP aka Joe Blanton.  I could be wrong but getting a current major league player for Blanton alone may be harder following his last few starts.  But getting one or maybe a couple of quality minor leaguers for him is another story especially from a team that needs pitching.  And since our 1b and most of the outfield is just up from AAA why not plug someone else from AAA in LF and move Cust to DH (if an OF was aquired) and see what they can do for us at least until Thomas and or Big Sweeny come back. 

So going around looking for some prospects with some hitting ability, here are a few players in the minors that could help the A’s this season if they could be pried away from current parent clubs.  Parent Clubs are in parentheses.

1b-Brad Eldred with the AAA Charlotte Knights-In 72 games he is hitting .261 with 24 HR and 68 RBI’s.  Measurable 6’5” 275 and bats and throws R. (White Sox)

1b-Chris Richard with the AAA Durham Bulls-In 65 games he is hitting .316 with 13 HR and 42 RBI’s.  Measurable 6’2” 210 and bats and throws L. (Tampa Bay)

1b-John Lindsey with the AAA Las Vegas 51’1-In 67 games he is hitting .325 with 14 HR and 55 RBI’s.  Measurable 6’2” 245 and bats and throws R.  (LA Dodgers)

3b-Dallas McPherson with the AAA Albuquerque Isotopes-In 66 games he is hitting .296 with 22 HR and 47 RBI’s.  Measurable 6’4” 235 and bats L and throws R.  (Florida) Note: a move to 1b would be in order here.

OF- Nelson Cruz with the AAA Oklahoma RedHawks-In 63 games he is hitting .348 with 21 HR and 57 RBI’s also 15/21 in SB.  Measurable 6’3” 230 and bats and throws R. (Texas)

OF-Brent Clevlen with the AAA Toledo Mud Hens-In 58 games he is hitting .324 with 13 HR and 55 RBI’s.  Measurable 6’42 190 and bats and throws R.  (Detroit) Note: didn’t fair as well in 11 games with the Tigers but that was just a short call up

These would just be the key guy in a trade not the only ones should a trade go down.  Meaning I have not looked beyond the main player to acquire so I don’t know who else would/could come along in a trade that was say Blanton for 2 or 3 (or more) young guys.  

With the exception of Clevlen, no one else has been up this year to my knowledge.  Also I know that AAA hitting does not translate to Major League hitting but if these guys were in our system they would be getting a look at the least or there would be talk of bring them up.  And additional chip could be Calero.