The Tampa Bay Rays and Minnesota Twins made the first big trade market splash with an exchange that sent 41-year-old slugger Nelson Cruz to Tampa for two touted pitching prospects. Though the Oakland A’s weren’t likely to swing a trade for Cruz, it’s a blow to see a potential Wild Card opponent with a similarly low payroll add considerable power to their roster.

Though the offense helps buoy the team to a plus-42 run differential, it’s clear consistency from the A’s pitching staff and rotation in particular have kept the team afloat through a tough stretch that dates back before the All-Star break. The A’s could have used a hitter like Cruz. At age 41, he was batting .294 with a .907 OPS as the Minnesota Twins’ designated hitter with 19 home runs.

Those numbers would put Cruz as the batting average leader with the second most home runs and second-highest OPS to All-Star Matt Olson. With the trade deadline a week away, the A’s could have been the jolt needed to spark a stagnant A’s offense that’s seen more major subtractions — think, Marcus Semien’s signing with the Toronto Blue Jays in free agency — than major additions.

Talent is carrying the team to postseason’s door for a fourth straight year, but it’s become clear that adding some difference makers to the roster at the deadline could help Oakland clear the hurdle between an early exit and long run. The A’s could have used a Nelson Cruz — and the idea was floated among front office decision-makers — but they weren’t going to get a Nelson Cruz because it could have cost them some valuable prospects in a farm system that analysts regard as one of the worst in baseball.

The Twins got in return right-handed pitchers Joe Ryan and Drew Strotman from Tampa, two of their top-20 prospects pitching in the rotation for their Triple-A Durham affiliate. Ryan, 25, is Tampa’s No. 10 prospect. Strotman, 24, is a St. Mary’s College alum who was reportedly a favorite in the Tampa organization. Their 17th-ranked prospect.

Acquiring Cruz also could have required the A’s to pay a chunk of the $13 million that remains on Cruz’s one-year contract. A’s ownership rarely forks over cash to spend in any sort of excess for the on-field product — and with revenue sharing checks cut off this year, there was even smaller chance ownership would hand over money for Cruz.

That the A’s weren’t necessarily close to acquiring Cruz indicates that they might not make any big swings at the deadline. Though big bats on the trade block such as Texas Rangers’ outfielder Joey Gallo and Colorado Rockies’ shortstop Trevor Story will be floated, the A’s don’t have the capital to match other teams. Though the A’s lost $11 million free agent Trevor Rosenthal to injury for the entire season, don’t expect the A’s to be on the market for a closer like Chicago Cubs’ Craig Kimbrel or the Texas Rangers’ Ian Kennedy.

If the A’s want to keep up, they’ll need to bolster their depth in the outfield, at second base and in the bullpen without swinging for the big name.

Position player needs and potential trades

Jacob Wilson, while inspiring in his call-up after nine seasons and more than 800 career games in the minor leagues, is not a long-term fix to fill the gap left by an injured Chad Pinder. Pinder was plug-and-play at nearly every position against left-handed pitching and is expected to miss substantial time with a hamstring injury. With Stephen Piscotty struggling, too, it’s clear the A’s need more outfield help. Tanking teams have talent to spare, particularly the Detroit Tigers.

The A’s could seek a reunion with switch-hitting outfielder Robbie Grossman or second baseman Jonathan Schoop in a trade with the tanking Detroit Tigers. Grossman, 31, is making $5 million on a two-year deal. Schoop, 29, is on a one-year $4.5 million deal — a free agent in 2022.

Grossman doesn’t chase and has an eye-catching 16% walk rate and .356 on-base percentage with a .231 batting average and 15 home runs. Schoop has a more concerning 5.5% walk rate, but hits the ball hard as evidenced by a 9.3% barrel rate. He’s batting .287 with 17 home runs this year.

Bullpen needs and potential trades

With pitchers Jesús Luzardo and A.J. Puk trying to find some consistency in Triple-A Las Vegas, the A’s are certainly scouring the market for additional bullpen and overall pitching depth. Though the bullpen’s 3.84 ERA and 4.22 FIP are some of baseball’s best numbers, their 1.1 WAR ranks 9th worst and Jake Diekman is the only high-leverage left-handed pitcher in the bullpen. Though, right-handed reliever Deolis Guerra’s .111 opponents average against left-handed pitchers makes him a candidate along with Luzardo and Puk if they can climb back into the big league roster.

With his 1.91 ERA and 16 saves, Lou Trivino carved out the closer role for himself, so it appears the A’s will flip over some smaller stones and search for more depth instead of late-inning needs.

The A’s may not be able to get Kimbrel from the Cubs, but they could pull left-handed reliever Andrew Chafin into a trade. Chafin holds batters to a 86.3 average exit velocity, which is in the top 8 percent in the league.

Some other options include right-handed Tyler Kinley from the Rockies or right-handed Giovanny Gallegos from the St. Louis Cardinals.

Kinley is a high-velocity pitcher with a noticeably high 5.63 ERA, but his 29% hard hit rate in 2020 might be an indication he has potential to work with. Gallegos holds an impressive 33% strikeout rate, which could make him a premium pick up for a team if the Cardinals are selling.

Twins scouts have been spotted at the A’s double-A affiliate Lansing Lugnuts games, so maybe the A’s could explore a trade with reliever Taylor Rogers. They could also pursue Orioles’ reliever Paul Fry, whose 2.4% barrel rate ranks among the top one percent in MLB.