Oakland Athletics: Seven Things Fans Have Learned in 2015
Jul 18, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Athletics starting pitcher Scott Kazmir (26) pitches during the first inning against the Minnesota Twins at O.co Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Bob Stanton-USA TODAY Sports
Lesson Five: Make the Playoffs Before Trying to Win Them
Oakland Athletics’ fans (and hopefully the front office, as well) were shown the dangers of being overconfident in a team’s chances. For instance, last year’s acquisitions of Jon Lester and Jeff Samardzija were moves intended to give the Athletics’ a one-two-three-four punch in the playoffs, including Gray and Kazmir. Looking back, it’s easy to say that those moves weren’t worth it, but what prompted them in the first place?
Quite possible, two seasons of losing in the first round of the playoffs.
Related: Offseason Trade Ideas: Oakland Athletics Should Deal Josh Reddick
Unfortunately for the A’s, small market teams needs to make the playoffs before they worry about winning them. Unlike the Red Sox or the Dodgers, Oakland doesn’t have the luxury of buying more talent if they miss their window for contention. Trading away one of the best cleanup hitters in the league for two months of a pitcher – even a pitcher as good as Lester – should have sent red flag to someone. But Billy Beane was determined not to be left with an inferior rotation. The problem was that his stacked crew of starters came at the expense of his lineup, and also the A’s playoff opportunities.
Being overconfident about the team’s chances to make the playoffs is a tremendously risky game, and assuming it will definitely happen is almost never a good plan. When a front office makes those assumptions, it ends the way it did last year – watching the best athletes leave in free agency, and then being forced to trade away the remaining top-notch players. The A’s basically gave away their best prospect – and one of the highest-ranked shortstops in the game – in exchange for Chris Bassitt, Josh Phegley and Semien.
Trading for players can be risky. And that’s why it’s important to remember…
Next: Never Take the First Offer