5 moves that built the Athletics into a contender

"An island of misfit toys."

A memorable line employed by actor Jonah Hill's character in the film "Moneyball" to describe the 2002 Oakland Athletics; a declaration that still stands true today as the 2018 version of the green and gold have become the most talked about team in Major League Baseball.

Over the weekend, a 25-man squad without a true superstar bearing resemblance to Mike Trout or Mookie Betts and with just one player earning more than $10 million this season, took a series from the reigning World Series champion Houston Astros and have forced fans to expect the unexpected in this wacky, wonderful world of baseball.

"That team is no fluke," Astros ace Justin Verlander declared postgame Sunday.

The A's front office didn't go the conventional route of building its roster in a manner which other clubs pride themselves on. Strong scouting wasn't the drywall in this build. It wasn't management throwing money around in free agency. Most of the star power was thought to have been moved out through trades, not in.

This squad is a mash-up of players other teams either passed or gave up on and the A's were savvy enough to see the value others didn't.

Here are five ingenious moves made by Oakland to help build it into a playoff contender; one that sits a single game out of first place in the AL West.

Matt Chapman

Selected in 1st round (25th overall) of 2014 MLB Draft

Chapman was part of an impressive 2014 draft class that included Kyle Schwarber, Aaron Nola, Kyle Freeland, Michael Conforto, and Trea Turner. Scouts questioned Chapman's bat, which might have been the reason he slipped to the 25th pick, but he might actually be the best of the bunch, as he leads all position players from his draft class in WAR.

The 25-year-old is an elite defender who leads all qualified players in defensive runs saved and is fourth in Fangraphs' defensive WAR (14.1), behind three outstanding shortstops: Andrelton Simmons, Jose Iglesias, and Francisco Lindor.

He's solidified the hot corner in Oakland, which has been a point of weakness since the team traded Josh Donaldson, and it looks like he's figured out that hitting thing scouts were so concerned about, too.

Sean Manaea

Acquired along with P Aaron Brooks from the Royals in 2015 for IF Ben Zobrist and cash

In 2015, the Royals gave up two young arms to acquire the versatile Ben Zobrist, who helped them win a World Series - their first in 30 years. One of the talents picked up in the deal, Manaea, has since become a stalwart for an A's rotation comprised mostly of over-performing veteran surprises.

Manaea has a no-hitter on his resume and is arguably one of the game's best lefties. His WHIP is fourth-best among southpaws behind Chris Sale, Blake Snell, and Patrick Corbin, while his walk rate is the eighth-lowest in all of MLB.

The Athletics also get to capitalize on Manaea's prime years, as the 26-year old is under club control until the end of the 2022 season. Not a bad return for Zobrist, who was hitting free agency at the end of that season.

Jed Lowrie

Acquired from the Astros in 2015 for RP Brendan McCurry.

The A's and Astros are connected by more than their current fight atop the AL West standings - namely, via second baseman Jed Lowrie.

Lowrie found himself flip-flopping between the two teams when Houston traded him to the Bay Area in 2013, re-signed him before the 2015 season, then dealt him back to Oakland again the following winter.

Since then, he's become a stabilizing force in Oakland's lineup, hitting 80 doubles since the beginning of 2017, which is the fourth-most in baseball during that span behind Jose Ramirez, Lindor, and Betts.

The veteran has been so valuable that only Javier Baez and Jose Altuve have been worth more WAR among second basemen this season. Lowrie has also been one of the biggest bargains in the majors, earning just $6 million in 2018.

Khris Davis

Acquired from the Brewers in 2016 for SP Bubba Derby, C Jacob Nottingham

Khris Davis could always mash. He hit 60 homers for the Milwaukee Brewers in three seasons between 2013 and 2015. But since arriving in Oakland he's become one of baseball's most powerful home-run hitters.

The 30-year-old has launched 121 long balls during his A's tenure - an average of one in every 12.8 at-bats - the most by any player since 2016, besting Giancarlo Stanton and Nelson Cruz.

Davis has also slugged .500 or better in five out of the six seasons he's been in the show, but has somehow never been named an All-Star. Voters may not appreciate him, but the A's certainly do, as the two sides are reportedly trying to work out a multi-year extension.

Nottingham has gone on to appear in just seven games with the Brewers, while Derby is still in the minors.

Blake Treinen

Acquired with SP Jesus Luzardo, and IF Sheldon Neuse from the Nationals in 2017 for RP Sean Doolittle, and RP Ryan Madson

Sometimes all it takes is a change of scenery for a player to rejuvenate their career.

The hard-throwing Treinen got off to a great start in the bigs with the Washington Nationals before things fell apart in 2017 and he was traded to Oakland.

The A's, who originally drafted and signed Treinen in 2011 before shipping him to Washington, had some idea about the player they received, but even their diligent front office might not have expected him to become one of baseball's top closers.

Treinen ranks fourth with 32 saves this season, has the lowest ERA among all qualified relievers, and has allowed just one home run in 62 innings.

He's the anchor of an experienced and effective bullpen that could become a major weapon for the club during its hunt for a postseason spot.

(Photos courtesy: Getty Images)
(Stats courtesy: Fangraphs and Baseball Reference)