Beane: A's approach at deadline to trade for players 'a little farther away'

The Oakland Athletics continued their teardown Monday, dealing reliever Tyler Clippard to the New York Mets just four days after trading starter Scott Kazmir to the Houston Astros.

The combined return for the veteran hurlers: three prospects who are years away from making a major league impact.

Athletics' general manager Billy Beane told reporters Monday that the goal with the two trades was to add players that are "maybe a little farther away" but possess "a little more upside."

Oakland earned three consecutive playoff berths heading into 2015, but have surprisingly found themselves at the bottom of the AL West this season, initiating "sell mode" heading into the deadline.

Beane stated that these deals with make them better in the long-term which could align with a potential move out of the aging O.co Coliseum.

"I think if we’re going to have ultimately some sustained success, it’s going to have to be done organically, and with a large group of players coming through (the minor league system)," Beane said. "It may take a little longer, but hopefully you’re able to hold onto them long enough.

"And understand, too, I think we’re all hopeful and optimistic of our venue situation here changing sometime in the near future. And if it does, this is probably the best approach anyway."

Beane went on to say that any other trade negotiations are involving players that aren't expected to be with the team next season, making utility player Ben Zobrist the likely next candidate to be moved out of Oakland.

This deadline for the Athletics is quickly shaping up as a statement that Beane is committing to growing the club organically and the 53-year-old is looking at the first-place Astros as an example for where his team should be in the future.

"To take that one team, if we’re ever going to compete, we’re probably going to have to take a somewhat similar approach," Beane said, "and at least make sure we have young players coming through the system who are going to be here for a few years."