MLB Trade Speculation: 5 Players Who Could Be off the A's Roster by the Deadline

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BALTIMORE, MD - JUNE 07: Josh Willingham #16 of the Oakland Athletics walks back to the dugout after striking out against the Baltimore Orioles during the fourth inning at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on June 7, 2011 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Rob

Rob Carr/Getty Images

It is no secret that the Athletics are having major issues this season.

Whether it's coaching problems or offensive struggles, Oakland is eight games back in the AL West and has lost 12 of their last 13 games. At this point, the A's have some roster decisions to make.

Some fans have discussed dropping some players while some mention starting the team over from scratch.

These are five players who might not be playing at the Overstock.com Coliseum after July.

Mark Ellis, 2B

BOSTON, MA - JUNE 5: Mark Ellis #14 of the Oakland Athletics bats against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park on June 5, 2011 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images)

Jim Rogash/Getty Images

After coming off the DL with a strained right hamstring, Mark Ellis has to compete for the starting second base position.

However, Jemile Weeks and Scott Sizemore are already in the mix, so the A’s could end up looking for a team willing to trade for Ellis.

Buster Olney of ESPN suggests a deal with a team across the bay, seeing Ellis as a suitable replacement for the Giants’ Freddy Sanchez.

David DeJesus, RF

BOSTON, MA - JUNE 5: David DeJesus #12 of the Oakland Athletics leads off first base against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park on June 5, 2011 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images)

Jim Rogash/Getty Images

While David DeJesus has not lived up to his $6 million contract this season, he is still doing well and his bat improved during the month of May.

The A’s may try to trade him to a team still in playoff contention. DeJesus is a solid outfielder and can play any position out there, so he could help a team trying to make it to the postseason.

The A’s will probably capitalize on that.

Craig Breslow, LHP

SAN FRANCISCO, CA - MAY 22: Craig Breslow #56 of the Oakland A's throws in relief against the San Francisco Giants at AT&T Park on May 22, 2011 in San Francisco, California. The Giants won 5-4. (Photo by Brian Bahr/Getty Images)

Brian Bahr/Getty Images

The A’s bullpen has a 3.25 ERA and they have pitchers available to trade. Craig Breslow is one of them, with a 4.01 ERA.

Jon Heyman of Sports Illustrated mentions that Breslow could be a good fit for either the Red Sox or Yankees.

Hideki Matsui, DH

OAKLAND, CA - JUNE 14: Hideki Matsui #55 of the Oakland Athletics hits a home run in the fourth inning against the Kansas City Royals at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on June 14, 2011 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images)

Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images

Hideki Matsui has had some terrible at-bats this season so far. He can’t play on the field, and when his offense is that bad, he’s just taking a spot on the roster from someone who could possibly be out in the field every day.

There probably aren’t many teams who are willing to pick up Matsui with his $6 million contract, so the A’s might just have to eat their money and cut him loose.

Josh Willingham, LF

BALTIMORE, MD - JUNE 07: Josh Willingham #16 of the Oakland Athletics at the plate against the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on June 7, 2011 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)

Rob Carr/Getty Images

Josh Willingham will be a free agent soon. While he has been one of the A’s main offensive forces, he is in the middle of the worst season of his career.

The A’s could look to trade him for an infielder and let one of their other outfielders come off the bench.

Buster Olney of ESPN suggested a connection between Willingham and the Phillies, who are reportedly looking for right-handed hitting outfielders.

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