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- Kotsay said players shouldn’t worry until they must make moving plans.
- Heim said he’ll come every day and try to help the team win.
- Cortes called the trade talk ‘just noise’ and said he likes playing here.
In his 17-year MLB playing career, Athletics manager Mark Kotsay was traded five times, including both to and away from the A’s.
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With the 2026 MLB trade deadline just a few days away — 3 p.m. Monday — Kotsay’s advice to his players caught in the trade rumor mill was simple: Don’t worry about what you can’t control.
“There’s no real reason to worry about it until you know you have to make plans to move a family and make adjustments in life,” Kotsay said ahead of Wednesday’s 4-2 loss to the Boston Red Sox. “My message is just ‘Go play.’”
Though the A’s (45-63) don’t appear to be shaping up as major sellers ahead of the deadline despite falling far out of postseason contention, there are still multiple names making their rounds in various rumor mills and deadline prediction articles from news outlets.
‘It’s just noise, really’
Two players that have in particular found themselves on the expected block by national outlets like the Athletic and ESPN are catcher Jonah Heim and outfielder Carlos Cortes.
In separate interviews with The Sacramento Bee before Wednesday’s game, both appeared to be taking Kotsay’s advice in stride.
“It’s just noise, really,” said Cortes, who made his MLB debut with the A’s last season and hasn’t been traded in his career. “I like playing here. I like being with my guys, and yeah, that’s really what I have to say.”
Cortes, 29, has been one of the A’s most consistent hitters this season, slashing .267/.340/.422 with seven home runs and 12 doubles in 81 games and more than 250 plate appearances. April was a particularly strong month for the left-handed outfielder, where he held a 1.143 on-base plus slugging percentage in 22 games, launching him into the fringes of the All-Star Game voting process.
Because the A’s have strong depth in the outfield, a Cortes trade could make sense to open up playing time for younger players without impacting the lineup too much.
Tyler Soderstrom is one of the A’s best hitters and is also on a seven-year, $86 million contract; defensive standout Denzel Clarke is nearing a return from the injured list after taking on-field batting practice Wednesday; speedy 22-year-old Henry Bolte has earned himself a near everyday starting spot; and Colby Thomas has played well as a platoon bat.
Also, utility man Zack Gelof had begun playing more in the outfield to clear room in the A’s crowded infield before he landed on the injured list earlier this month.
Journeyman Heim steps up after Langeliers injury
Heim, like Kotsay, is no stranger to being traded.
The 31-year-old catcher has been traded four times in his career, including earlier this year, when the A’s acquired him from the Atlanta Braves for cash in May.
“It’s nothing I haven’t heard before. If it’s gonna happen, it’s gonna happen,” Heim said. “But until then, I’m an A. I’m gonna come to the ballpark every day and try to help this team win.”
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While Heim was widely considered a very likely trade candidate just weeks ago, a likely season-ending injury to the A’s All-Star catcher Shea Langeliers adds a wrinkle into potential trade talks. Langeliers, who tore his right meniscus, was also a speculated trade option, though his All-Star status and years of team control would have likely required a much higher return package.
Langeliers’ injury especially affected Heim, who said he has become very close with his fellow backstop over the last few months. While Heim called the situation “unfortunate,” he said he was excited to get more consistent reps every day.
“There’s no replacing Shea,” Heim said. “I’m just gonna try to do my best to be who I am and go out there and help the team win.”
Heim had a big game Wednesday despite the loss, going 3-for-5 at the plate with a solo home run.
When Langeliers hit the injured list Sunday, the A’s called up Brian Serven to play backup to Heim. On Tuesday, Serven hit a two-run home run that helped the A’s beat the Red Sox 4-3, though his lack of consistent MLB experience might make the A’s hesitant to make him an everyday starter.
Serven, 31, didn’t appear in an MLB contest in 2025 after short stints in the Majors in each of the three previous seasons, never holding an OPS above .600.
Heim has value for A’s, Kotsay says
Heim, a 2023 All-Star, has slowed down a little offensively recently, holding a .229/.281/.439 slash line over 61 games this season, though his 11 home runs and 10 doubles have made him a valuable addition to the team. In addition, Kotsay said Heim’s seven seasons of MLB experience are helpful for the A’s many young pitchers and giving the team a consistent presence behind the backstop.
“He has value for us here. Now, you always have to assess the value of what you get in return when you trade a player,” Kotsay said of Heim. “Obviously, Jonah’s providing that experience. He’s a solid guy to have with this staff.”
Heim, who made his MLB debut for the then-Oakland A’s in 2020, said he has been able to integrate into the A’s clubhouse and California life well since he joined the club in May, though he acknowledged the difficulties trades can cause his wife and three kids.
However, with a trade possibility still looming, Heim said the best he can do is give his best on the field.
“For me,” Heim said, “I just gotta treat each day like it’s a new day and not be worried about the future.”
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