The Oakland Athletics added 20 players in their various trades dating back to the winter:

With five minor-leaguers arriving in the past three weeks in the Harden and Blanton trades, the influx of talent is keeping A's director of player development Keith Lieppman hopping.

"It's kind of fun to play with," Lieppman said Thursday. "I feel like I'm dealt a new hand every day, and it's aces and kings all the time."

The team is now on the outer edges of the pennant race, but still having a good season despite trading away a number of their stars. Now it's up to Lieppman and Beane to turn these Kings and Aces into a championship team.