Oakland A’s: What to do at second base
Second base remains a question mark for the Oakland A’s. What should they do at the trade deadline?
With the 2020 MLB Trade Deadline approaching, the Oakland A’s still face questions at second base. Tony Kemp and Chad Pinder have entered a platoon situation but have received minimal production. Entering Wednesday, they rank 22nd in the majors in OPS, having produced a minuscule .215/.323/.299 batting line. Quite simply, the A’s need more production from the position.
But that does not mean a trade is forthcoming. After all, the A’s are currently projected to stand pat at the trade deadline, which makes sense given that there are few holes on the roster. But something does need to be done at second.
Let’s take a look at the different scenarios for the Oakland A’s at the deadline.
Standing pat
Despite the limited production, the Oakland A’s are pleased with what Kemp brings to the table. He has emerged as a leader in the clubhouse, spearheading the A’s efforts to expand the conversation regarding race relations. On the diamond, he has done an excellent job at getting on base, with 12 walks in 74 plate appearances while playing solid defense.
Pinder, meanwhile, has not been the player he had been in the past, but can still be a viable source of power. He has hit two homers in his 44 plate appearances, and is still valuable as a utility player. Given his track record, it is entirely probable that he comes back to life over the final month of the season and helps give the A’s what they need as the right handed part of the second base platoon.
If the Oakland A’s do stand pat, it would be understandable. In fact, it may even be possible that they trade away a second baseman at the deadline.
Could the Oakland A’s trade Franklin Barreto?
If Franklin Barreto was going to make an impact upon the Oakland A’s, it would have been this year. Instead, he is essentially forgotten.
Despite being on the A’s roster for the entire year, Barreto has essentially been duct taped to the bench. While he has appeared in 14 games, he has just seven plate appearances, striking out four times. Barreto has five runs scored however, as he has been a weapon in the 10th inning for the A’s to get that winning run across.
Aside from his usefulness as a pinch-runner, Barreto is at the bottom of the second base depth chart, behind Tony Kemp, Chad Pinder, Vimael Machin, and probably Mike Gallego and Bert Campaneris as well. The A’s also cannot send him back to the alternate training site as he is out of options. So, for now, he sits and rots on the bench.
While his value is close to its nadir, the A’s have to decide if he is really worth that last spot on the bench. It is possible that a team would be intrigued enough by the former top prospect, and his relative youth, to part with something in a trade. Even if it is the ever popular Cash Considerations, that may be better than keeping Barreto tethered to the bench.
It is obvious that Franklin Barreto does not have a place in the Oakland A’s future. If a team is willing to take a chance on him, let them.
Finding an upgrade for the Oakland A’s
In theory, the Oakland A’s could look to find an upgrade at second base. But what is really available?
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With the expanded postseason, there are few teams that can essentially be counted out. The Red Sox, Pirates, and Angels are the only teams that are five or more games out of the playoffs entering Wednesday, although several other teams could be looking to sell. The Pirates have actually had worse production at second, while Jose Peraza in Boston is not an upgrade. And, let’s face it, David Fletcher is not going anywhere.
Therefore, it is to those other possible options that one must turn. Our friends over at Motor City Bengals posited that Jonathan Schoop could be an attractive trade target, possibly even allowing the A’s to rid themselves of Franklin Barreto. He would certainly be an upgrade, and as he is a free agent after the season, would not cost the A’s long term.
If an upgrade is to be made, it will be from one of those teams on the periphery of the postseason. None of the definite sellers at this point have a player that makes sense for the A’s to target. Considering the few options available, the idea that the A’s stand pat at the trade deadline makes sense.
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What do you want to see the Oakland A’s do? Let us know in the comments!