Dec 10, 2013; Orlando, FL, USA; Oakland Athletics manager
Bob Melvintalks with reporters during the MLB Winter Meetings at the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Resort. Mandatory Credit:
David Manning-USA TODAY Sports
There might be some cold weather around the bay but things are heating up as baseball’s Winter Meetings are set to take place December 8-11 in San Diego. Rumors are swirling faster than the wind and the Oakland Athletics are amid many of the stories boiling over on the hot stove. There are a couple of trades that seem imminent, possibly happening even prior to the convening of the who’s who of baseball. What happens over the next week could drastically alter the form of the Oakland Athletics organization as we know it.
With a mind-blowing trade already in the books, what more does Billy Beane have up his sleeve? If only we could take a look inside that head of his, but we can’t, so we are left to wondering, waiting, and writing about the what ifs. Two trades seem very likely as we try to keep up with it all, that of Jeff Samardzija and Brandon Moss. Most came to terms with the idea of losing Shark pretty early in the offseason, if not before, but to take away another team favorite in Brandon Moss would be questioned even more vehemently by A’s fans. This is especially the case since the return on a trade, rumored with the Cleveland Indians, is not looking to solve the club’s immediate gaps. What are the Athletics needs as we anticipate these trades and more at the Winter Meetings?
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The glaring hole for Oakland remains right up the middle infield. The versatility and defense at second base is just what the A’s want – Eric Sogard and Nick Punto are both above average fielders who can play 2B, 3B and SS. However, their offensive production is sorely lacking and the Athletics simply need more if they hope to contend in the cutthroat AL West. They will also be losing their everyday short stop Jed Lowrie to free agency so the hole up the middle gets even bigger. His replacement has been discussed by many, myself included, but the uncertainty, at least for fans, remains. It would take a lot to score a proven player to fill these spots at second and short and the expected Moss trade would likely bring some young talent pointing in the direction of 2015 being a rebuilding season.
The other area of concern for the Athletics is in the outfield, specifically left. The departure of Yoenis Cespedes last season left a tag team of players to cover the vacancy including Sam Fuld, Brandon Moss and Jonny Gomes, who has become a free agent. With Moss also to be sent packing in time, it is apparent that more than Fuld and fourth outfielder Craig Gentry will be needed to produce in the outfield.
Finally, it is somewhat surprising, as my fellow Swingin’ A’s writer noted, that the catcher position isn’t nearly as set as we once thought it was. So at the Winter Meetings and beyond the Oakland Athletics have some serious needs to be met and a less than ideal budget to accomplish it with. We will continue to wait, wonder and watch as it all unfolds.