Oakland Athletics’ Bullpen: Five Potential Offseason Targets
Aug 5, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Athletics starting pitcher Kendall Graveman (31) hands the ball to manager Bob Melvin (6) after being removed from the game during the sixth inning at O.co Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports
The Oakland Athletics’ Need to Improve their Bullpen This Winter
Throughout the entirety of the 2015 season, the Oakland Athletics have suffered from injuries and inconsistency. The group most notably impacted by these two has been the bullpen and unfortunately, they have also had the most impact on the season. It seems like whenever A’s manager Bob Melvin come out of the dugout to motion to his bullpen, it’s only a matter of time until the game is eventually blown.
So far this season, Oakland’s relief corps is 28th in ERA (4.33), has allowed the fifth-most home runs (39), and has the second to worst win-loss ratio (12-22) in Major League Baseball. They are also dead last in saves, with 20 converted in 37 opportunities, which is a drastic fall off from their performance last season. However, the scariest part is that the A’s bullpen has thrown the sixth lowest amount of innings (314.0) in the MLB, meaning their relievers have essentially allowed the most damage of any late-innings pitchers in the game this year.
This upcoming offseason will definitely be an opportunity to shore up the bullpen, and with Sean Doolittle returning from injury, the closer’s role will at the very least be filled. From there, no others options seem set in stone to become either a seventh or eighth shutdown-inning type of guy. That is why I have compiled a list of five upcoming free agents that could be possible, cheap options for the A’s to pursue:
Next: The First of Five
Jun 21, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; Milwaukee Brewers relief pitcher Neal Cotts (48) delivers a pitch during the sixth inning against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports
Milwaukee Brewers, LHP Neal Cotts
35 years old, $3 million
Over his last three seasons, Cotts has posted a 2.93 ERA, while tossing 168.2 innings. His strikeout per nine innings (SO9) over that period stands at 9.2 and his WHIP hovers just above 1.1, both respectable. His fastball command is excellent, and a devastating slider allows him to tackle both right-handed and left-handed batters. Despite being a little more effective against lefties this season (.168 average), he has still held his own versus righties (.264). One other plus has been his durability, making at least 50+ appearances the last two seasons and on pace to easily break that this year (48). With the A’s troubles keeping pitchers healthy, he could be a nice staple. He wouldn’t be a project either, because you know exactly what you’re getting, which is not something Oakland’s bullpen has had for a long time.
The reason Cotts has somehow flown under the radar while pitching for the Texas Rangers and now for the Brew Crew is likely because in 2009, he underwent Tommy John Surgery and it took him four years just to make it back to the bigs. Although he is making $3 million on a one-year contract, his age is likely going to deter many teams, making it easier for the A’s to have a chance. The last dependable (not named Doolittle) lefty out of the pen I can point to was Craig Breslow (maybe Jerry Blevins), and Cotts could have a similar kind of impact.
Next: Another Lefty To Look At
Aug 4, 2015; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates relief pitcher Antonio Bastardo (59) pitches against the Chicago Cubs during the ninth inning at PNC Park. The Cubs won 5-0. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Pittsburgh Pirates, LHP Antonio Bastardo
29 years old, $3.1 million
For six years, Bastardo was a part of the Philadelphia Phillies organization and was nothing but consistent. The Dominican Republic native posted a 3.72 ERA over that time and had a knack for mowing down batters with a hard low-to-mid 90’s fastball and sweeping slider. This season he took his talents to Pittsburgh and has been doing much of the same. The only glaring area of concern is the number of walks (5.3 BB/9) that has climbed this year. Besides that he has held hitters to a .223 batting average against and has struck out 33 in 34.0 innings. A quality lefty is always great to have in a manager’s back pocket and this one might be able to come at a relatively low price.
At only 29 years of age, Bastardo is one of the younger relievers going onto the market. However, he may not draw a lot of attention. The reasons being he has been overshadowed for much of the year by the rest of the dominant Pittsburgh bullpen. Especially after their midseason trade for RHP Joakim Soria – who will be a highly sought after free agent this offseason – Bastardo has been placed in the back of the line. This could favor the A’s, as they need quality arms – lefties especially – and this southpaw would certainly help. If he hits the market without much leverage, Oakland should definitely look into acquiring his services.
Next: Flamethrowers Are Also An Option
Jul 30, 2015; New York City, NY, USA; New York Mets pitcher Bobby Parnell (39) pitches against the San Diego Padres at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Andy Marlin-USA TODAY Sports
New York Mets, RHP Bobby Parnell
29 years old, $3.7 million
Once a triple-digit fastball throwing flame-thrower, “Bullet Bob” Parnell is recently removed from a season-ending elbow injury he sustained in 2014 that required Tommy John Surgery. Coming back this year, his velocity is not where it once was, but still sits in the mid-90’s consistently. He hasn’t been great in 2015 either, currently holding a 4.32 ERA and an eye-popping 1.620 WHIP. Also, he has only struck out nine during his 16.2 innings, while surrendering 18 hits, but Parnell – much like Bastardo – has to compete with a great Mets bullpen. Plus, coming off injury hasn’t necessarily helped him look any more comfortable when he has gotten opportunities on the mound.
However, if you look at this man’s pure “stuff,” there is no reason not to take a chance. His rust is sure to wear off sooner than later, and now that he’s had some years –he’s in his eighth MLB season – he has learned how to pitch instead of just throw. Envisioning Parnell as a go-to guy in the seventh inning is a definite possibility and if the A’s would be willing to risk a roster spot on a bit of a wild card, he could easily prove his worth. While it is possible Parnell could be sought after on the market, I wouldn’t put his price tag out of Oakland range – which is not exactly high. Plus, hard throwers that aren’t completely erratic are difficult to come by, especially one with a bit of a discount.
Next: A Forgotten Feliz
Jul 28, 2015; St. Petersburg, FL, USA; Detroit Tigers relief pitcher Neftali Feliz (39) looks on as Tampa Bay Rays third baseman Evan Longoria (3) runs the bases after hitting a solo home run during the eighth inning at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Detroit Tigers, RHP Neftali Feliz
27 years old, $238,000
It was in 2010 that Feliz led the American League in saves (59) and made himself an AL West household name. He was named the 2012 AL Rookie of the Year and helped the Rangers to back-to-back World Series – he probably was remembered most for not being able to seal the deal against David Freese. There was no denying that he was one of most dominant closers for that two-year stretch, yet that all changed when he blew out his arm in 2012 and needed Tommy John Surgery. The Rangers tried to turn him into a starting pitcher and his arm simply couldn’t handle the workload. For the next three years, he stayed primarily on the DL and never really found himself.
Even this season when the Tigers gave him a chance, he just hasn’t been able to find that flame-throwing younger version of himself that had so much success. His line in 2015 has been a 15.75 ERA in 8.0 innings, while allowing 15 hits (three of them home runs). His high-90’s fastball is still there but you can tell when he pitches, he just seems tentative. Much like Parnell, he has all the tools; he just needs to regain the confidence to use them effectively again. If the A’s were to give him that shot, he wouldn’t cost much and the good outweighs the bad. Plus, it would be great to see Feliz dominate in the Coliseum again – this time for the right team.
Next: A Familiar Fernando
Jul 23, 2015; Detroit, MI, USA; Seattle Mariners relief pitcher Fernando Rodney (56) walks off the field in the eleventh inning against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
Seattle Mariners RHP Fernando Rodney
38 years old, $7 million
Although Rodney is the currently the highest paid man out of the five, he most certainly won’t be next season. His contract is based on his past accomplishments, which have been plenty. Leading the AL in saves (48) in 2014, he dominated everyone he faced the previous three years. In that span, he held a 2.21 ERA and an impressive 10.1 SO/9. He also racked up a total of 133 saves for both the M’s and the Tampa Bay Rays. However this season he has taken a big step back and some speculate his age has finally caught up with him. In 2015, his walks have increased while his K’s have decreased, along with some of his velocity, which up until recently was consistently in the upper 90’s. Along with his 5.44 ERA over 46.1 innings, he has been demoted from the closer role and will, as a result, likely limp into free agency.
While it is true that Father Time is undefeated, it seems like Rodney still has some left in the tank. Maybe not as a closer, but to say that the Dominican right-hander can’t pitch in the big leagues is just not accurate. He would be accurately labeled as a “high-risk, high-reward” type pitcher, but at this point, Oakland could use his talents. Whether it be just a $2 million offer, or even a veterans minimum based on how much he’s declined, the A’s would be wise to keep their eyes on the veteran.