Reasons Oakland Athletics fans should be excited for 2018

Between increased stadium talks and a shifted roster, The Oakland Athletics have enough to be excited about heading into the 2018 season.

It’s safe to say that the 2017 season didn’t go the way that Oakland Athletics fans hoped. After watching players like Marcus Semien and Sean Maneea struggle with injury setbacks, popular Athletic Sonny Gray get shipped off to the Evil Empire, and of course, limping to a less-than-satisfactory 75-87 record (26 games behind the eventual World Series Champions Astros) I’m one of many Oakland Athletics fans looking forward to a few positive transitions in 2018. 

Well rest assured Athletics fans, the A’s are going to the world series in 2018 thanks to the blessings of one, Lil B, the Basedgod on twitter.

Well, maybe that won’t come to fruition in 2018, and Lil B has been more than wrong before, but regardless, Oakland Athletics fans have plenty to keep an eye on for the 2018 season.

A Full Season of Matt Olson

Full disclosure: I love Matt Olson, and a full season of Olson in Oakland has me giddy for Opening Day 2018.

Olson flashed the type of power shown by Most Valuable Player candidates Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton after bursting onto the scene in 2017 with 24 home runs and 45 RBIs in 59 games played. Stretch Olson’s production over a full season, and we’re looking at a historic 60-home run season and plenty of “Holy Toledos” from the loudspeakers. Now I’m not saying that A’s fans should prepare to see the second coming of Mark McGwire or Jason Giambi in 2018, but its safe to say that an injury-free Olson can safely supply 35 home runs and 90 RBIs if he stays healthy.

Now, of course, Olson will have to improve against left-handed pitching in 2018 if he really hopes to jump into the upper echelon of power bats. Olson struggled in limited at-bats against lefties last year, hitting just .196 with four home runs and six RBIs compared to a .280 clip against righties. His 27.8 strikeout ratio also leaves much to be desired, but if Olson can continue to show the kind of power and poise at the plate that he did in 2017, then Oakland will have an imposing offensive cornerstone to build the batting order around for 2018.

Committed to the youth movement

The Oakland athletics appear fully committed to a youth movement in 2018 by leaning on younger players like the previously mentioned Matt Olson, Matt Chapman, Sean Manaea and super-utility Chad Pinder for the 2018 season.

Although years of rapid trades have likely left a sour taste in the majority of Oakland’s fanbase, the future seems bright for Oakland if the prospects can play to potential and develop into the players they are expected to be.

With top prospects, Franklin Barreto, Jorge Mateo and Dustin Fowler expected to take over at some point in 2018, and left-handed pitcher A.J Puk brimming with the kind of potential that makes fans like me salivate, the A’s have plenty to watch down on the farm.

I in no way expect the Athletics to somehow jump into first place in the American League West in 2018, especially following the roster moves by Houston and Los Angeles. But a sharp improvement heading into the 2019 season should be enough for the Athletics to hang their hat on in 2018.

Khris Davis to the Designated Hitter position

Khris Davis’ poor play in the outfield last season cannot be overstated. Davis hasn’t been Ben Grieve bad, but he certainly has given the former rookie of the year a run for his money with his less-than-stellar fielding in 2017.

Now, Davis himself has admitted in the excellent and eyeopening Players Tribune article “The Creature” that his play in left field is likely tanked by a case of the yips, but it doesn’t save the fact that Davis has been a complete liability in the outfield for the A’s.

"“For some reason, when it comes to throwing a baseball, my mindset is completely different. I find the entire process stressful. And sometimes when I need to make a throw from the outfield…The Creature emerges,” – Davis in the Players Tribune."

Don’t get me wrong, I love Davis in the green and gold, and I can only hope that Beane and Co. do the right thing and lock him up to a relatively long-term contract, but no matter how honest he has been about his struggles, Oakland can no longer allow his arm to allow players to gingerly trot to second or third base on shallow fly balls as we watched time-and-time again last season. The proof is in the numbers. His rtot (-14) was 10th worst among players who played more than 100 games in the outfield in 2017. Likewise, his -2.1 dWAR, his worst in his five-year career, leaves much to be desired.

With Ryon Healy shipped off to Seattle, Stephen Piscotty and potentially, Dustin Fowler, at some point, ready to step into the outfield role, Bob Melvin is free to stick Davis at the designated hitter position where he can continue to mash home runs and focus on further developing his offensive game.

A new stadium in the works?

The saga of Oakland’s stadium issues are traced back far beyond the 2010s and remains a dark spot on Major League Baseball and the Oakland Athletics franchise. Highlighted by the sewage issue in 2013, 2014 and 2016, the Coliseum needs to see its final days as a professional sports venue and I’m willing to hold out hope that the process jumps into overdrive in 2018.

I’m going to be real with you guys, the A’s can top the 1916 Philadelphia Athletics for the worst record in baseball next season, but if it’s coupled with an announcement that the Athletics organization signed on the dotted line for a new stadium in Oakland, I’d probably be okay with it.

Nothing could make me happier than a new stadium in 2018 outside of a world series trophy.

I, like most Athletics fans, are growing impatient with timescale, but I have to admit, I have not seen the amount of attention and movement in terms of stadium talks in quite some time and I’m willing to give ownership the benefit of the doubt that the A’s will be playing in a new Oakland stadium by 2023.

Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf has voiced in various interviews that the city of Oakland is fully committed to keeping the A’s in Oakland, but following the Oakland Raiders’ jump to Las Vegas, I fully understand why fans might not be filled with confidence that the A’s are serious about staying in Oakland. 

The Laney College location apparently died via board vote in late 2017 after the Peralta Community College District Board of Trustees voted down a plan to allow the A’s to acquire a 15-acre parcel owned by the district. Nevertheless, STGate.com Oakland A’s beat writer Susan Slusser reported that A’s President Dave Kaval feels that the vote did not kill the possibility in the future that they could build at the Laney College location. Regardless, the vote was certainly damning. The Jack London Square/Howard Terminal location remains a real option. Add that the Coliseum site, which most will agree is likely the best option, also remains on the table, A’s fans might be able to see real progress in 2018.

The A’s announced that they will be moving their office to Jack London Square in September, and completed the move earlier this week. At the same time, Kaval recommitted the organization’s drive to remain in Oakland. Does it mean that Schaaf’s favored-Howard Terminal location is jumping to the front of the pack?

Guess we’ll have to wait and see