Oakland Athletics: 3 Offseason Moves They Should Make
By Jamie Faue
Sep 30, 2014; Kansas City, MO, USA; Oakland Athletics shortstop Jed Lowrie (8) is unable to field a base hit by Kansas City Royals shortstop
Alcides Escobar(not pictured) during the eighth inning of the 2014 American League Wild Card playoff baseball game at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Peter G. Aiken-USA TODAY Sports
The Oakland Athletics have some holes in their roster that need be filled adequately this offseason if the A’s want to compete for the division title this upcoming 2015 season. The A’s have seven players who are subject to free agency this year: Alberto Callaspo (INF), Jed Lowrie (SS), Jonny Gomes (OF), Jon Lester (P), Jason Hammel (P), Luke Gregerson (P), Adam Dunn (DH), Hiroyuki Nakajima (SS) and Geovany Soto (C).
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Lester will most likely go back to his original team, the Boston Red Sox, which is not a problem for the A’s, as they are rich in terms of starting pitching talent with Sonny Gray, Scott Kazmir, A.J. Griffin, Jarrod Parker, Jesse Chavez and Jeff Samardzija.
This being said, the A’s should not re-sign Hammel because that gives the team seven starting pitching options, and Hammel was not as productive as the team hoped he would be. Hammel, with the A’s, went 2-6 with a 4.26 ERA and allowed 13 home runs. In his career, Hammel is 59-70 with a 4.60 ERA.
The A’s also have a number of free agents infielders that would not be big losses if the A’s can’t re-sign them such as Callaspo, Lowrie, and Nakajima.
Callaspo and Lowrie both had disappointing seasons, as Callaspo had a batting average of just .223 with four home runs, 39 RBI’s, and a .290 on base percentage. Lowrie did a little better had a .249 batting average, six home runs, 50 RBI’s, and a .321 on base percentage. Nakajima signed a contract with the A’s in 2013, but he spent all of his time in the minors and never made it to the big league stage.
The A’s also have to find someone to play left field. Gomes will most likely not return after being traded to the A’s in the Yoenis Cespedes trade in late July. Gomes did not have the season he had in his 2012 stint with Oakland, as he batted .234 with six home runs, 37 RBI’s, and a .327 on base percentage this season. This is far less impressive in comparison to his 2012 season when Gomes averaged .262 with 18 home runs and 47 RBI’s.
The A’s still have Sam Fuld and Craig Gentry who could potentially play left field but are more traditional center fielders.
Finally, the A’s have already declined to re-sign designated hitter Dunn, who the A’s picked up off waivers at the end of August in hopes of re-generating some offensive rhythm.
This brings us to the three moves the A’s should make.