Oakland A's Trade Rumors: 5 Deadline Deals to Build for the Future

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The Oakland A's this year have wasted a tremendous pitching performance with an anemic offensive attack.

Facing the prospect of losing many players to free agency, the A's should be looking to replenish their offense immediately.

With an abundance of pitching to deal, Oakland's GM Billy Beane should not hesitate to pull the trigger on these potential deals.

St. Louis OF Colby Rasmus for SP Guillermo Moscoso and RP Brian Fuentes

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The 24-year-old Rasmus is loaded with talent, and even though his playing time has diminished because of a recent slump, he could become a fine centerpiece to the A's offense.

Cardinals manager Tony La Russa has lost faith in Rasmus, and with the unexpectedly good play recently of OF John Jay and potent hitter Allen Craig returning from injury, Rasmus is the odd man out.

Moscoso has proven to be a capable young starting pitcher, and Fuentes might prove a valuable veteran left-hander in the bullpen.

In the wide-open NL Central, this extra pitching boost could put the Cardinals over the top.

Tampa Bay OF B.J. Upton for SP Tyson Ross and RP Craig Breslow

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Another young (26) player having a down 2011 season, hitting around .230, Upton still has great speed and good power potential.

The A's could provide a low-key change of scenery that might unlock his vast potential.

Ross would provide yet another young power arm for the Rays starting rotation, and Craig Breslow would be a solid left-hander in a bullpen lacking them.

Pittsburgh OF/1B Garrett Jones for OF Coco Crisp and RP Brad Ziegler

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The surprising Bucs are in the thick of the NL Central pennant race and are looking to make a deal for a hitter and a relief pitcher.

With the emergence of Lyle Overbay at first base, the power-hitting Jones (yet another player having a down year) could be available.

Coco Crisp would fit in nicely with the high-energy Pirates, and Ziegler could be a very valuable situational reliever.

Arizona AAA OF Collin Cowgill for SP Josh Outman and RP Fautino De Los Santos

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Arizona is desperate to hang in the NL West race and is in need of pitching.

Cowgill has had a tremendous year with Reno in the PCL, hitting over .350 with 30 SB. He would provide the A's another young player who could step in and start for the A’s, a la Jemile Weeks.

Outman is the kind of steady starting pitcher the Diamondbacks need, but De Los Santos has an incredible power arm with tremendous upside.

Rangers 1B Chris Davis for RP Grant Balfour and RP Craig Breslow

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While it's never easy to make a deal with a division rival, the power-hitting Davis is worth the headache.

He has put up tremendous power numbers in the minor leagues and so-so numbers in his brief time with the Rangers' major league team, but his potential should be worth the risk for the A's—they haven't had a 30-home run hitter in several years.

Balfour is a top-notch reliever who would provide an instant upgrade to the both the Rangers' bullpen and pennant hopes, and Breslow (if he didn't end up in Tampa Bay) would give Texas a valuable situational lefty.