Oakland A's: Who stays and who leaves in free agency

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(Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images) /

The Oakland A’s have a lot of decisions to make when it comes to their impending free agents. Let us take a look at which players could stick around.

The Oakland A’s are going to look a lot different come Opening Day in 2021.

As the offseason approaches, the A’s are facing a major overhaul. Ten players are slated to enter free agency, with the A’s potentially needing to replace their middle infield, a large portion of their bullpen, at least one starter, and an outfielder. Meanwhile, they will need to do all of this with a limited budget, especially in the wake of the pandemic.

This will lead to some difficult decisions in free agency. Let us take a look at which players are likely to depart in free agency, and which ones may stick around.

Already out the door

Jake Lamb, Mike Minor, Joakim Soria, T.J. McFarland

Frankly, none of these players should be a surprise. Jake Lamb was brought in due to Matt Chapman’s season ending hip injury, and while he performed well, he is limited to first and third defensively. With Chapman and Matt Olson, Lamb does not have a spot in the lineup.

Mike Minor had been the A’s big trade deadline acquisition, someone who would hopefully solidify the rotation. While he did fire a shutout, and posted solid strikeout to walk rates, he also allowed 13 runs in his other 14.1 innings. Maybe he comes back on a one year make good deal, but he is also not likely to be the ace the A’s need.

T.J. McFarland, while one of the two lefty relievers the Oakland A’s used last year, is essentially replaceable. He may not walk a lot of batters, but he also struck out just nine in his 20.2 innings in 2020 as well. He also allowed five homers in that time. The A’s, even with their limited budget, can find a better left handed option.

Joakim Soria may be the most difficult decision out of these players. He was a solid reliever during his two years in Oakland, and would seemingly be the backup option at closer. In his case, it may be a matter of his age and likely salary demands will ave him signing with another team.

(Photo by Michael Zagaris/Oakland Athletics/Getty Images) /

A case can be made for the Oakland A’s to bring these players back

Robbie Grossman

Robbie Grossman was one of the biggest surprises for the Oakland A’s this season. He had reworked his swing during the COVID induced lockdown, becoming one of the A’s best hitters during the season. Even though his numbers tailed off at the end of the season, his 130 OPS+ was the second best mark of any of the regulars in the A’s lineup.

But cuts are going to need to be made somewhere. The A’s have potential options to take over in left in Seth Brown and Luis Barrera. Chad Pinder could also be an option, although he is better suited for a utility role. And, if none of those options pan out in spring training, the A’s may be able to find a cheaper replacement in free agency.

Mike Fiers

Mike Fiers was basically what the A’s were hoping for – a veteran innings eater in the middle of their rotation. Although he struggled at the start of the season, he did lead the A’s with six victories, and had a strong second half to the 2020 campaign. Even though he will turn 36 years old next year, he is the type of pitcher that a contending team would be interested in bringing in to fill out the back of the rotation.

That is essentially the issue with bringing Fiers back. The Oakland A’s have a rotation of pitchers who are basically middle of the rotation arms, although there are several with the upside to become more. In order to take that next step, they need a top of the rotation arm. Fiers, for as solid as he has been, just is not that.

The Oakland A’s may want to keep these players, but they are likely to be outside of their budget

Liam Hendriks

Liam Hendriks has been one of the great surprises in baseball over the past two seasons. He had gone from being an anonymous middle reliever to being a dominant closer for the Oakland A’s, a pitcher who could arguably be called the best reliever in the American League. Hendriks even managed to top his breakout 2019 campaign, improving both his ERA and WHiP this season.

With Joakim Soria also likely to depart in free agency, the A’s do not have a fallback option at closer should Hendriks depart. The problem is that he will also attract a great deal of attention in free agency, especially given the state of relief pitching around the game. The A’s may want Hendriks back, but he is likely to receive a contract that will be beyond their comfort level.

Tommy La Stella

Tommy La Stella is really the type of player that the Oakland A’s love. He draws walks, makes solid contact, and can play multiple positions on the diamond. The A’s front office has gone out of their way to state that they would like to bring him back, mentioning La Stella as one of their priorities in free agency.

The problem is that, while La Stella checks every box as to what the A’s want on the diamond, he does the same for other teams that need help at second or third base. He may end up being one of the hotter free agents on the market, especially given how many other teams would be interested in adding the on base machine to their roster. As great of a fit as he may be, the A’s may not be able to afford to bring him back.

If any of the Oakland A’s impending free agents are going to return, these two are the most likely

Marcus Semien

The Oakland A’s have gone out of their way to state that they want Marcus Semien back going forward. Semien has said that he wants to spend his career with the A’s. The interest is certainly there.

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The money may be able to work as well. Semien fell back to his usual production level in 2020 following an MVP caliber 2019. But he is a solid all around player, providing a bit of power, some speed, a respectable batting eye, and passable defense.

Oakland also values Semien for what he brings to the locker room. He emerged as one of the A’s leaders, especially this season, as he volunteered to make sure that the roster adhered to the league’s COVID-19 protocols. His departure would create not only a major void in the lineup, but in the locker room as well.

Other teams may want Marcus Semien, but none of them are likely to value him the way the Oakland A’s do. Chances are, he will be back in 2021.

Yusmeiro Petit

Yusmeiro Petit is the type of reliever who tends to get lost in the shuffle. He is not a candidate for saves, nor is he one of the plethora of flamethrowers that seems to be a part of every major league bullpen these days.

Instead, Petit is a solid, dependable veteran reliever who can get batters out. The A’s have used him in just about every role outside of being their closer, calling upon him to get those key outs whenever needed.

At 36 years old, and with his less than overpowering arsenal, Petit is not likely to attract significant offers in free agency. But he knows how to pitch, and how to pitch effectively. That combination works well for the A’s, who should be able to retain his services for a reasonable price.

Next. A's need top of rotation starter to take next step. dark

The Oakland A’s will have a lot of decisions to make in free agency. Retaining Yusmeiro Petit and Marcus Semien seem to be the most likely options.

Oakland A’s: Who stays and who leaves in free agency