Athletics GM on dealing Kazmir: 'We had to be realistic about where we were as a club'

This isn't the Oakland Athletics' year.

Sitting 11 games back of the division lead, the Athletics' front office has turned its attention to the future, even if it means letting go of some of their best players today.

"Right now, we've got to focus on the next few years," A's general manager Billy Beane told reporters after dealing Scott Kazmir to the Houston Astros on Thursday.

Related: Athletics trade Scott Kazmir to Astros for prospects

In return, the Astros sent over prospects Daniel Mengden, a pitcher, and Jacob Nottingham, a catcher. When Nottingham was added to the deal, Beane pulled the trigger, as he saw a solid foundation for the future.

Despite the club winning games as of late, Oakland didn't feel it was time to make a run, and a solid return for Kazmir was the price necessary to build the future.

"We had to be realistic about where we were as a club," Beane added. "Had we done nothing, at the end of the year, the reaction would have been, 'Why didn't you get something for him?'"

As it stands, A's players are on high alert, with utility man Ben Zobrist, along with pitchers Sonny Gray and Tyler Clippard, mentioned in trade talks.

Teammates who saw Kazmir leave know he's the first of potentially several Athletics to be dealt.

"Any time you have someone of that quality of a pitcher and person and he leaves, it's not easy. He was a leader here," said catcher Stephen Vogt. "I'm sure it's not going to be the last move."

It's also no surprise to see Oakland making the first splash ahead of this year's trade deadline. In terms of dealing Kazmir, manager Bob Melvin said, "what happened, happened," and nothing's going to change in his approach.

"For me, it doesn't mean that now we feel like we're going to go out there and lose," he said.