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Oakland A’s: The qualifying offer should not be an option

By David Hill

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 06: Marcus Semien #10 of the Oakland Athletics juggles an infield hit from Kyle Tucker #30 of the Houston Astros during the fourth inning in Game Two of the American League Division Series at Dodger Stadium on October 06, 2020 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 06: Marcus Semien #10 of the Oakland Athletics juggles an infield hit from Kyle Tucker #30 of the Houston Astros during the fourth inning in Game Two of the American League Division Series at Dodger Stadium on October 06, 2020 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /
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The Oakland A’s have two potential candidates for the qualifying offer. Neither player should receive that contract.

The Oakland A’s are heading into a transformative offseason. With ten free agents, they will need to make quite a few difficult decisions, especially when it comes down to which players they look to bring back for the coming season. While some of these players may be replaceable, or the A’s can find similar options, there are two in particular that could make a major impact on their chances.

Obviously, the A’s would like to retain both Marcus Semien and Liam Hendriks. And they do have the chance to do so with the qualifying offer. At $18.9 million, it would certainly be tempting for both players to take that deal and re-enter free agency the following year.

Yet, if either, or both, players take that deal, it would be a major risk for Oakland. The A’s may love what Semien brings to the locker room for his leadership capabilities, and his all around game at short, but his breakout 2019 campaign appears to be an aberration.

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The A’s certainly want Semien back. And if this decision needed to be made after the 2019 season, there is no question that he would receive the QO. But he has generally been a below average hitter over his career, with his OPS+ typically somewhere between five to ten percent below league average. At this point, he is not worth that offer.

Then there is Hendriks. He may be the most difficult player to replace on the A’s roster – a lockdown closer whose bulldog mentality and heart cannot be questions. Hendriks is certain to be highly sought after in free agency, but will likely command less than the $18.9 million price tag in regards to his average annual contract value.

The A’s also have to weigh their budgetary concerns. More than ever, the A’s will be operating with a limited budget, something that each team will have to contend with. Spending that money on the QO may keep them from upgrading other areas to strengthen, or supplement, their roster moving forward.

Next. Keeping Petit should be an easy decision. dark

The Oakland A’s may want to keep both Marcus Semien and Liam Hendriks. They just cannot afford the risk that either, or both, would accept the qualifying offer.