2024 MLB Trade Deadline: Athletics trade away two arms

Jul 30, 2024, 1:16 PM | Updated: Jul 31, 2024, 7:44 am

SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - MAY 10: Paul Blackburn #68 of the Oakland Athletics throws a pitch during the...

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Lead Editor & Kings Beat Writer

The 2024 MLB trade deadline has brought plenty of change around the league, and now the Oakland Athletics are getting involved.

Oakland traded away two of their strongest arms on Tuesday, first by dealing right-handed reliever Lucas Erceg to the Kansas City Royals.

The A’s then reached an agreement with the New York Mets on a trade that will send 2022 All-Star pitcher Paul Blackburn to ‘The Big Apple’ in a move that will put the right-hander on a new team for the first time in his eight-year career.

The Kansas City Royals are finalizing a deal to acquire right-handed reliever Lucas Erceg from the Oakland A’s, sources tell ESPN.

— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) July 30, 2024

The New York Mets are finalizing a deal to acquire right-handed starter Paul Blackburn from the Oakland A’s, sources tell ESPN.

— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) July 30, 2024

More on the Oakland Athletics trade deadline moves

Erceg was one of the most sought-after MLB trade deadline acquisitions, and Kansas City pulled away to bring the right-hander to join a Royals team that looks to compete in October.

In return for Erceg, Oakland received Kansas City’s number-four prospect, pitcher Mason Barnett, pitcher Will Klein, and outfielder Jared Dickey.

Over 38 appearances this season, Erceg holds a 3.68 ERA and has struck out 41 batters over 36.2 innings pitched.

Blackburn, 30, posted a 4-2 record to go along with a 4.41 ERA over nine starts for the Athletics. The one-time All-Star struck out 38 batters over 51 innings while also posting a 2.5 walk rate (walks per nine innings pitched).

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