Oakland A’s: The black hole at shortstop in 2021
By David Hill
The Oakland A’s knew that shortstop needed to be addressed this offseason. Marcus Semien had left the building, and their shortstop prospects were not ready for the majors just yet. So the A’s went and traded for Elvis Andrus, hoping that a change of scenery would make a difference this year.
Spoiler alert – it didn’t. A’s shortstops, predominately Andrus but Vimael Machin has seen some action at the position as well, have been a black hole in the lineup. As a position, the A’s have gotten -0.9 fWAR out of the shortstop position thus far in 2021, easily the worst in the majors.
Oakland A’s may as well have a rock at shortstop
It is not just one facet where these players are struggling. Andrus has been miserable defensively costing the A’s eight runs at short. Machin is not considered to have cost the A’s any runs at the position, but his subpar range certainly does not help.
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As miserable as the position has been in terms of fielding metrics, they have been much worse with the bat. A’s shortstops have combined to produce a .136/.194/.161 batting line thus far, with just three doubles and eight runs scored. That ‘production’ has been beyond dreadful thus far, and is on pace to be the worst showing of any position in the major league history.
This is not going to last. Although Andrus has not exactly set the universe on fire with the bat over the past few years, he is not this bad. He should be able to break out of this early season slump and provide some value in the batter’s box as the season goes on.
If not, the A’s will not hesitate to make a move. One of the hallmarks of their run of success since the beginning of the MoneyBall Era has been an ability to limit those negative seasons at a position. They may not be superstars, but the A’s find value and production. If Andrus and/or Machin do not heat up, a change will be forthcoming.
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The Oakland A’s have a black hole at shortstop thus far in 2021. The lack of production at the position is on pace to be historically putrid.