3 Unexpected Trades the Oakland A's Could Pull off This Offseason

Most expect the Oakland A's to either trade multiple marquee players and restock the minor league system or make a simple trade here and there for depth.

What if I told you the A's could potentially pull off a surprise trade or two that keeps them as contenders in 2015? Is that something you might be interested in?

First, an example of a "simple trade" from last season would be Alberto Callaspo for Grant Green. A "surprise trade" from 2014 would be more like Jeff Samardzija and Jason Hammel for Dan Straily, Addison Russell and Billy McKinney. It's one you never saw coming—if you heard rumors of "the A's are in on Samardzija," then you thought, "Yeah, them and nine other teams."

Here are three trades that could be significant and unexpected.

Jeff Samardzija to the Los Angeles Angels for Howie Kendrick

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I'll start with this one because it's actually an idea being kicked around by Twitter and Jason Burke of Swingin' A's. It would be pretty surprising if it happened.

This rumor started when Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports wrote about the Angels' need for starting pitching. Rosenthal said, "The team is likely to trade either second baseman Howie Kendrick or third baseman David Freese." He followed by saying starting pitching is a priority.

Rosenthal's report had A's fans and writers thinking.

Matt McHugh of Swingin' A's made an argument for why Kendrick to the A's makes perfect sense: "At 30 years old, Kendrick is in the prime of his career, coming off of a season where he hit .293/.347/.397, stole 14 bases and accumulated 1.4 dWAR. Those numbers would make him by far the best overall middle infielder on the A’s."

McHugh wrote the A's might be able to acquire Kendrick for Drew Pomeranz or A.J. Griffin. That would be ideal, but I disagree that it's realistic. But I do believe Samardzija for Kendrick straight up seems uneven for Oakland. Perhaps it's Samardzija for Kendrick and someone else or Kendrick for Scott Kazmir straight up.

Being as though the A's clearly needed an upgrade at second base at the 2014 trade deadline and didn't make a move, it would be unexpected for them to make a trade this offseason.

Other potential surprise acquisitions at second base: Ben Zobrist (would be expensive)

Scott Kazmir to the Chicago Cubs for Starlin Castro

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The Chicago Cubs are an up-and-coming team that should be a serious contender in a year or two. But at new manager Joe Maddon's introductory press conference, he stated his intentions of contending now.

According to B/R's Jason Catania, in order for the Cubs to have a successful offseason, they need to sign a top starting pitcher and then kick around the idea of trading for another veteran pitcher.

Let's assume Jon Lester is that top guy. Kazmir could be a great trade option to follow, and the Cubs could offer Starlin Castro for him.

The Cubs get a quality veteran to go with Lester at the top. The A's fill a need at shortstop. Oakland keeps Samardzija, Sonny Gray, Jarrod Parker, Griffin, Pomeranz, Jesse Chavez and a few other options. Chicago can get away with trading Castro because it has Javier Baez waiting.

Both teams trade depth to fill a starting need.

The knock, though, is that the Cubs only get Kazmir for one year. The trade could still work with Samardzija going back (but more pieces would be needed from Chicago) or centering the trade around A.J. Griffin or Jesse Chavez (but more pieces would be needed from Oakland).

Other potential surprise acquisitions at shortstop: Troy Tulowitzki (unrealistic) or Didi Gregorius/Chris Owings (doable but not expected)

Drew Pomeranz to the Pittsburgh Pirates for Pedro Alvarez

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According to Bleacher Report writer Joel Reuter's blueprint for success, the Pirates would need to add starting pitching and re-sign Russell Martin. B/R's Karl Buscheck said Pedro Alvarez is a good candidate to be traded this offseason.

Perhaps there is a fit.

The Pirates could send Alvarez, now a backup player, to the A's in exchange for a depth pitcher such as Pomeranz or Chavez. If the Pirates don't re-sign Martin, the A's could trade Stephen Vogt.

Alvarez is a backup player, and Pittsburgh can't expect too much for him.

But he'd fit in Oakland for multiple reasons. He can join the lineup as a designated hitter, first baseman with Brandon Moss or fill in at third base if the A's are in a pinch.

On desperate days in which Moss plays in the outfield, Alvarez could play at first and you'd have double the pop in the lineup.

What, no Yasiel Puig?

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Murmurs have linked Puig to Oakland. I don't think that would work.

First, the Dodgers can't be really considering shipping such a phenomenal talent out based on attitude. They need to continue surrounding him with veterans and coaching staff and hope he matures as he ages. I don't see who in Oakland's organization does that for him. I don't see Bob Melvin putting up with him at all.

Additionally, the A's need a left fielder, not a right fielder. Putting Puig or Josh Reddick in left is a waste of an arm, especially when Reddick plays O.Co's right field so well.

The Dodgers are more likely to trade Andre Ethier or Carl Crawford, and Oakland should want no part of those contracts.