Oakland Athletics: Will the A’s Contend or Rebuild in 2016?

The Not-So Optimistic Outlook

Samantha Riley: As of right now, I do not think the Oakland Athletics are capable of contending in 2016. There are too many areas that need to be fixed that this upcoming season will ultimately be a rebuilding year. The bullpen needs numerous new arms, the infield needs some depth ideally in the form on a veteran middle infielder, and the outfield needs to be re-evaluated and trimmed of excess players.

Additionally, the Oakland Athletics noted that team chemistry was a problem in 2015. This does not fix itself overnight. And, more new personalities may be added to the clubhouse if the A’s are going to make trades and acquisitions this offseason. Even if those newly acquired players are top-tier baseball players, individual skills will not help propel the A’s to the post season. The Athletics are going to need to work hard to come together as a team in order to be successful.

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However, I must note that there is always the possibility of them contending in 2016. Just look at 2012, which was suppose to be a rebuilding year. The A’s ended the season as the American League West Champions.

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Andrew Dambrauskas: The 2015 Athletics were what bad baseball looks like. 2016 will not be a case of making one or two tweaks to make the team a contender. 2016 will be a write-off season while some of the organization’s better talent makes progress in the minors.

The A’s do have a starting rotation that might be able to buoy the club to more than the 68 wins they earned in 2015, but there are simply too many weaknesses elsewhere for that to matter. The reality is that the A’s finished only ninth in the American League in runs scored, and fourth to last in the AL in total OPS. Josh Reddick can’t be the answer to propelling this team to the offensive level it needs to be a contender, Stephen Vogt is not going to have another year like 2015, and Billy Butler is Billy Butler.

Next: Another Vote for Rebuilding