A 3-4 road trip

Well, that sucked.

What started as a promising road trip where the A's looked to maybe win a few ended disastrously with three straight losses in Seattle this weekend. But, it wasn't for lack of offense, as the team managed to pummel Seattle pitching on Sunday for 10 runs and 13 hits. Unfortunately A's pitchers gave up 14 runs, and that won't get you a win in a game where you have to score more runs than the opponent.

So, here we are two days before the trading deadline. If there was any doubt that the A's are sellers for the first time since 1998, those doubts should be put to rest in light of the team's 49-56 record and the 12.5 game deficit in the AL West (which should be 13 by the time the Angels finish with the pounding they're giving the Tigers tonight).

Who's changing teams? The most likely candidate would be Mike Piazza, who does the A's zero good at this point. The Dan-Johnson-to-the-Yankees rumblings are still out there, as are possibilities of Joe Kennedy going to the Phillies or Brewers. And remember that redhead guy who got designated for assignment last week? He could still net a player or cash.

You know it's going to be a long August and September when the thing you're most excited about is the trade deadline. It's all downhill after Tuesday.