NEW YORK — A's players have seen several teammates leave via trade over the years, but it still takes some getting used to when someone is dealt away.

Justin Duchscherer watched fellow starter Rich Harden get traded along with Chad Gaudin to the Chicago Cubs on July 8.

Coming off his appearance in Tuesday's All-Star Game, Duchscherer then learned another rotation mate, Joe Blanton, was traded to Philadelphia on Thursday.

Both registered an impact with Duchscherer.

"It's tough. I played with all three of those guys for a while," Duchscherer said before Friday's 7-1 A's loss to the New York Yankees. "Sometimes you wonder as a player what the organization is doing, giving up on the season or what? But I'm just going to go out there and do my best to help us win."

Duchscherer, who has indicated his interest in signing long-term with the A's, did point out how well the team's other recent trades have worked out. "That's one cool thing about the A's since I've been here," he said. "A lot of guys get traded, a lot of guys come in, but somehow we always seem to mesh."

But he isn't sure what message was sent by the Harden and Blanton trades.

GM Billy Beane and assistant GM David Forst repeated with each deal the team's emphasis on building for the future. But they also added they're optimistic about this year.

"As a player, obviously we want to go out there and win. We're trying to win a World Series.

I believe as an organization that's our goal also," Duchscherer said. "(But) when you start trading these three guys within 10 or 15 days, you start thinking, 'Are we trying to get guys in here that are going to help us get to there, or are we trying to rebuild because they don't think we're good enough this season?'"

Reinforcements arrive

Bobby Crosby returned from the 15-day disabled list to play shortstop, the All-Star break giving his strained left hamstring ample time to heal. Right fielder Ryan Sweeney, who missed the final three games before the break with a dislocated left pinkie, also was welcomed back. Still hurting from the pinkie and a sprained left ankle, Sweeney promptly slammed into the wall along the right-field line to catch Derek Jeter's fly in the first. He also made a strong throw to nail Alex Rodriguez at the plate later in that inning.

Short hops

Duchscherer thoroughly enjoyed his All-Star experience, but not the viral infection that plagued him all through the festivities. He said he'll be OK to start Sunday against the Yankees. Sean Gallagher will move up to start today in the rotation reshuffling because of Blanton's trade. Dana Eveland goes Monday in Tampa Bay and Dallas Braden on Tuesday. "... Mike Sweeney took live batting practice for the first time since knee surgery and is slated to start a running program today.

— Joe Stiglich