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Report: A's interested in Pirates' Rodriguez

Rich Schultz / Getty Images Sport / Getty

The Oakland Athletics are among the teams interested in trading for Pittsburgh Pirates closer Richard Rodriguez, sources told Jon Morosi of MLB Network.

The A's are prioritizing bullpen reinforcements heading into Friday's trade deadline, Morosi notes. Oakland relievers have posted a 3.78 ERA over 314 2/3 innings this season, and the unit ranks 20th in fWAR (1.3) among MLB bullpens.

Oakland signed Trevor Rosenthal in the offseason with the notion that he would serve as the club's ninth-inning option. But he recently underwent season-ending hip surgery before playing a game in 2021.

Rodriguez, 31, has effectively anchored the Pirates' relief corps while posting a 2.82 ERA and 0.83 WHIP with 33 strikeouts, leading to 14 saves over 38 1/3 innings in 2021.

There are also two more years of arbitration remaining for the right-hander before he's eligible for free agency in 2024.

In addition to the A's, the Toronto Blue Jays have also been linked to Rodriguez this summer.

The Pirates have already started the process of selling ahead of the deadline, dealing All-Star second baseman Adam Frazier to the San Diego Padres on Sunday.

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