FanPost

Do we need Rich Hill to compete for a playoff spot?

Yesterday, MLB Trade Rumors floated the idea that Rich Hill could be a highly sought after pitcher at the trade deadline, assuming that he continues to pitch well of course. He could bring in quite a haul for a team on the cusp that is desperate for pitching to put them over the top. If the A's aren't in the hunt then most of us will agree that his short lived time w/ the green and gold should come to an end to further bolster any needs we have. And hey, maybe we can package Butler along w/ him...

But let's say that the A's are leading the pack in the AL West (or at least close to it). The real question is do we even need Rich Hill to complete for a playoff spot? If we are at, or near the top of the AL West, then Sonny is being Sonny; Hill is striking out astros, Hahn is freezing mariners, Graveman is inducing grounders to slegnas, & Manaea is making rangers look silly.

But what about Henderson Alvarez? He's already on track to come off of the DL mid/late May. Would you really rather have Rich Hill over Henderson Alvarez? True, we can always send Graveman down to AAA or make him a long man. But think of what you can get from a team googling over Hill's K #'s. And unless Oakland plans on giving him a QO, he's sure to be gone anyways. With Reddick's future still unknown, wouldn't it be nice to get a stud RFer? Or, those of you who are still in doubt of Burn's route taking, wouldn't a defensive wizard in CF who can hit make your mouth water? Maybe Hill alone won't get you what you want, but we have a plethora of LFers to deal which can also help with our OF log jam, and we've got 2 first basemen. I probably wouldn't touch the pen though...

What do you think?