Oakland Athletics: 29 man roster would save Jorge Mateo

When the 2020 MLB season eventually begins, teams may start the season with a 29 man roster. If that happens, the Oakland Athletics would be able to see what they have in Jorge Mate.

With the expectation of a shortened season, and Major League Baseball trying to cram as many games as possible in an increasingly shrinking window, there is the possibility that rosters will expand to start the season. Right now, the expectation is that there will be a 29 man roster, allowing teams to provide plenty of rest to their players amongst a schedule that could feature several double headers.

Should the 29 man roster happen, camp battles would essentially be meaningless. Those difficult decisions would no longer need to be made, as those players on the bubble would find themselves with a roster spot.

For the Oakland Athletics, this could save Jorge Mateo. A part of the four way battle for second base, Mateo was seemingly on the outside looking in. As he was out of options, it seemed likely that the A’s would lose Mateo, either on the waiver wire or in a potential trade.

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Instead, the A’s may finally get a chance to see him in action at the major leagues. Once considered the centerpiece in their return for Sonny Gray, Mateo has generally disappointed during his time in the organization. While his speed was still elite, he simply did not hit enough to justify his once lofty expectations.

That changed last year. Mateo suddenly became a viable prospect once again, producing a .289/.330/.504 batting line, hitting 29 doubles, 14 triples, and 19 homers while stealing 24 bases. Even in a year where offense was inflated in AAA, Mateo still put together an impressive season.

However, that production, as intriguing as it was, had not been enough to secure a roster spot. The A’s would have been able to get something back for his services, as the Tigers and Royals were reportedly interested in the former top prospect, but the return would not have been nearly what one would have expected when he was first acquired. But now, that trade speculation may be over.

The Oakland Athletics should finally get a chance to find out what they have in Jorge Mateo. The expanded roster may have saved his place in the organization.