Oakland A’s: Three players that need to step up

The 2021 season has not started as the Oakland A’s would have expected. The defending AL West champions have stumbled out of the gates to a 2-7 start on the year. While slow starts are nothing new, their poor showing against the Astros has been particularly galling.

Injuries have not helped matters. Mike Fiers has yet to pitch this season, and A.J. Puk is back to his usual place on the Injured List. Super utility man Chad Pinder is also on the IL with his return uncertain. Trevor Rosenthal, their prized free agent signing, just underwent a procedure for thoracic outlet syndrome. Sean Murphy and Ramon Laureano have also missed time this year, although both are back in the lineup.

Three members of the Oakland A’s that need to step up

While these injuries mean opportunity, they also mean that other players need to step up. If the A’s are going to shake off their slow start as they have done so many times in the past, they are going to need to get those needed performances.

Let’s take a look at three players that need to step up for the Oakland A’s.

Sean Murphy

It is a bit unfair to consider Sean Murphy’s start to the season as disappointing. He suffered a fractured rib and punctured lung in the offseason, then missed time after being hit by a pitch.

But the fact remains that Murphy has disappointed thus far in the early going. He has yet to record a hit in his 14 plate appearances, drawing three walks and striking out eight times. Defensively, he has yet to throw out any of the three baserunners that attempted a steal despite his excellent arm.

Murphy started out slowly in 2020 as well, struggling over the first quarter of the season before he began to see results. His ability to hit the ball hard made him a popular breakout candidate this season, but that has not happened thus far.

Sean Murphy had a later start to spring training and is still shaking off the rust. The Oakland A’s need that to happen sooner rather than later.

Sergio Romo

The Oakland A’s struggles to start the season mean that they have yet to have a save opportunity. However, they will eventually need someone to take over in the ninth inning.

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At this point, the most logical option would be Sergio Romo. He has, by far, the most experience as a closer on the A’s roster, notching 134 saves in his career. The 2013 All Star has four seasons with at least 20 saves on his resume, showing that he knows what it takes to handle the ninth inning.

With the way the A’s have been struggling, they will need someone to step up and nail down those saves. Romo is hardly overpowering, and may not be the pitcher he had been, but he has still been effective regardless of whatever role he has been asked to fill.

The early results are not exactly positive. In the small sample size of three innings, Romo has allowed two runs on four hits and three walks, striking out one. He will certainly need to improve upon those numbers should be take over the ninth inning.

Given his track record, it just seems like a matter of time before that happens. However, the Oakland A’s will need the vintage Sergio Romo as they look to snap out of their early malaise.