Oakland A’s: Three bold predictions for 2021
Finally, at long last, the 2021 season is upon us. The Oakland A’s are looking to not only reach the postseason for the fourth consecutive year, but they are also looking to defend their AL West title. This may not be easy, especially given the improvements that other teams in the league made this offseason.
But that does not mean that the A’s are in trouble. They still have a formidable core, both in their lineup and on the pitching side. Their offense struggled last year, but that should change with a normal spring training and a return to their usual levels of production.
Three bold predictions for the Oakland A’s
For as much as we can prognosticate, we really do not know anything until the games are played. But that will not stop anyone from making predictions, some more obvious than others. Here, we will make three predictions that, while they may not come true, have the potential to do so.
Here are our three bold predictions for the Oakland A’s for the 2021 season.
Matt Olson is an MVP finalist
If anyone on the Oakland A’s is expected to be an MVP finalist this year, it is Matt Chapman. Instead, it will be his counterpart across the diamond, Matt Olson, who gets the nod.
Olson is already getting attention over the course of the offseason. He had been predicted to tie for the American League in home runs, which would certainly garner attention for both the All Star Game and MVP. His performance in the preseason would seemingly indicate that he is ready to live up to those hopes.
Add in his Gold Glove caliber defense at first, and Olson has a chance to become a star this season. The A’s should not only contend for a playoff berth, but may be the best overall team in the West. Should Oakland return to the postseason, and Olson plays to his potential, he should end up in the conversation for several awards.
One of those awards could be the AL MVP. If Matt Olson leads the AL in homers and the Oakland A’s reach the postseason, he will be a finalist for the MVP award.
Jed Lowrie plays in at least 120 games in 2021
Jed Lowrie staying healthy is hardly a given. Unless he is with the Oakland A’s.
Lowrie has appeared in over 100 games just four times in his dozen years in the majors. Every time that has happened, he has been a member of the A’s. In fact, he has appeared in over 135 games in each of those four years, eclipsing the 150 game mark in three of those seasons.
The idea that he will be healthy is a bit of a bold prediction in the first place. Lowrie made just eight plate appearances in his two seasons with the Mets over his nine games. He never actually saw game action on defense, as all of his appearances were as a pinch hitter.
But that was with the Mets. Now that he is back with the Oakland A’s, Lowrie has once again rediscovered whatever it is about the Bay Area that works well for him. He is healthy once more, slated to be the A’s primary second baseman this season. While Oakland is likely to be cautious with his playing time early on, if he remains healthy, those concerns will fade as the weather warms up.
There is something about Oakland that works for Jed Lowrie. Put him down for at least 120 games this season.
Lou Trivino becomes closer by end of season
The Oakland A’s were the surprise winners of the Trevor Rosenthal Sweepstakes, signing him to an $11 million deal with $8 million deferred. In theory, this will take care of the ninth inning.
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However, Rosenthal is not exactly a given. As brilliant as he was in 2020, he was equally putrid in 2019. One could forgive his performance that year as he was coming off of Tommy John surgery, but he was not exactly a light’s out closer in the two seasons prior to that either.
The A’s do have backup in Sergio Romo. He has been a solid enough reliever over his career, serving in a variety of roles, including as a closer for several teams. But he is getting older, and did have his struggles at times last year.
That would leave Lou Trivino as the A’s option. He had been considered their closer in waiting before a miserable 2019 campaign, a role that he has seemingly taken back after a solid 2020 season and strong spring training. If Rosenthal and Romo struggle, that time could happen sooner than expected, especially as Trivino would be a long term answer.
Next. Trivino the closer of the future again. dark
Neither of those relievers are a given. Lou Trivino will take over the ninth inning by the end of the year.