--LHP Josh Outman, among the three players acquired in the Joe Blanton trade, has been playing at a high level. 

MEDICAL WATCH: OF Ryan Sweeney (dislocated left pinkie) left the July 10 game and missed games from July 11-13. 

The Oakland Athletics keep trading away key players, while the New York Yankees have begun acquiring help for their second-half playoff push. 

The Oakland Athletics traded away their second starting pitcher this month, dealing burly right-hander Joe Blanton to the Philadelphia Phillies for three minor leaguers on Thursday. 

Who's buying? Who's selling? Who'll win? Who'll flop? Tracy Ringolsby knows and breaks it all down in this second-half primer. 

The All-Star break is a time where most organizations take stock of where their team stands, whether to buy or sell, what is working and where improvements can be made. 

Outfielder Matt Murton, acquired by Oakland in the trade that sent Rich Harden to the Chicago Cubs, joined the Athletics on Friday night and was in the starting lineup against the Los Angeles Angels. 

Outfielder Matt Murton, acquired by Oakland in the trade that sent Rich Harden to the Chicago Cubs, joined the Athletics on Friday night and was in the starting lineup against the Los Angeles Angels. 

One day after the Milwaukee Brewers landed an ace, the Chicago Cubs answered. 

One day after the Milwaukee Brewers landed an ace, the Chicago Cubs answered. 

Jemile Weeks, the brother of Milwaukee's Rickie Weeks, agreed Tuesday to a minor league contract with the Oakland Athletics that includes a $1. 

MEDICAL WATCH: OF Ryan Sweeney (dislocated left pinkie) left the July 10 game and missed games from July 11-13. 

MEDICAL WATCH: OF Ryan Sweeney (dislocated left pinkie) left the July 10 game and missed games from July 11-13. 

MEDICAL WATCH: OF Ryan Sweeney (dislocated left pinkie) left the July 10 game and missed games from July 11-13. 

Will dropping the final series before the break significantly change the A's course the rest of the way? Oakland lost another tight game to the Angels on Sunday, losing in the ninth inning on Erick Aybar's two-out infield single off Huston Street, and wit