A's get RHP Fiers from Detroit for future players or cash

So often a seller when it comes to the trade deadline, the Oakland Athletics find themselves as a buyer this season. And they just bought a new arm. The A's and Detroit Tigers both announced Monday they struck a deal that sends right-hander Mike Fiers to the Bay Area in exchange for two players to be named later or cash considerations. The two sides reportedly tried reaching a deal for Fiers before the July 31 non-waiver trade deadline but were unable to come to agreement. After July 31, players must clear waivers to be traded. Fiers, 33, is 7-6 with a 3.48 ERA in 21 starts this season. He has 87 strikeouts and issued only 26 walks in 119 innings, with his 1.97 walks per nine innings ranking eighth in the American League. In eight seasons with Detroit, Houston and Milwaukee, Fiers is 49-53 with a 4.06 ERA in 162 games (144 starts). Oakland has designated left-handed pitcher Jeremy Bleich for assignment to make room for Fiers on the 40-man roster. Bleich, 31, made his major league debut with the A's this year and gave up two runs on two hits in one-third of an inning pitched in two relief appearances in July. He is 1-1 with a save and a 2.91 ERA in 31 relief appearances with Triple-A Nashville. Oakland enters play Monday only four games behind the Astros for first place in the AL West and 2 1/2 games clear of Seattle for the second wild-card spot. --Field Level Media