Oakland A’s: Three realistic free agents to keep
The Oakland A’s will enter the 2021-22 offseason in a similar fashion to last year. They are slated to have 11 free agents, with the potential of a total of 13 players on the market should team options be declined. It will be another offseason where the A’s attempt to remake their roster.
Clearly, there is one free agent that any A’s fan would love to see the team retain. Starling Marte has been exactly what the lineup needed, a catalyst atop the batting order whose speed has been able to transform games. With Ramon Laureano lost for the beginning part of the 2022 season as he finishes his PED suspension, Marte would be even more vital.
Three impending free agents for Oakland A’s to keep beyond 2021
However, Marte is likely to command a contract that is far more than the A’s can afford. That is the reality of their situation; while he may be a perfect fit, it comes down to the almighty dollar. That does not mean that the A’s will not bring back other impending free agents, especially as there are several who would fit within their budget.
Let’s take a look at three impending free agents that the Oakland A’s could realistically bring back.
Andrew Chafin
Technically, Andrew Chafin may not be a free agent. He and the Oakland A’s have a mutual option for $5.25 million for the 2022 season, but it seems unlikely that the team would spend that much to bring him back.
However, the A’s are likely to have a desperate need for a left handed reliever. Jake Diekman also has a team option for 2022, and it is not certain that Oakland would spend $4 million to bring him back. A.J. Puk is the only left handed reliever that is likely to be with the team next year, but that depends on his health.
Chafin, meanwhile, has been exactly what the A’s had hoped for. He has produced a solid 1.59 ERA and a 0.882 WHiP in his 11.1 innings in Oakland, striking out ten batters with two walks. He has also become a bit of a fan favorite, offering to exchange tickets and beer for a boat to live on and losing a tooth during a game.
He also is not likely to cost much in free agency. That $5.25 million option may be more than the A’s want to spend, but Chafin might be coaxed into a return for a contract similar to the two year, $7.5 million that Diekman was given prior to the 2020 campaign.
The Oakland A’s will need a dependable left handed reliever in the 2022 campaign. Andrew Chafin would be a perfect fit with a reasonable cost.
Josh Harrison
Josh Harrison was expected to slot around the diamond when acquired by the Oakland A’s. Instead, he has become a mainstay in the lineup at second base.
While Jed Lowrie has been solid at second throughout much of the season, he is also starting to show signs of fatigue. After receiving just eight plate appearances over the past two seasons, he has appeared in over 100 games for just the fifth time in his career. Harrison’s presence has allowed Lowrie to spend time as the A’s designated hitter, keeping his bat in the lineup while giving him some rest.
This has worked as Harrison has produced beyond anyone’s expectations. Since being acquired by the A’s, he has produced a .277/.358/.404 batting line in his 53 plate appearances, hitting three doubles and a homer while stealing three bases. Those numbers continue a strong season in Washington, where he was a bargain in free agency.
Harrison may be relatively inexpensive despite his overall production this season. He received just $1 million in free agency last season despite a solid showing in 2020. With his ability to play several different positions, and the uncertainty on the A’s roster in 2022, Harrison is the type of player they should look to keep.
Josh Harrison has been a perfect fit for the Oakland A’s. He could be a part of the future as well given that he should land a reasonable contract.
Mark Canha
While Starling Marte may be the Oakland A’s most important impending free agent, Mark Canha is a close second.
An underrated part of the lineup, Canha has been key as the A’s leadoff hitter. His ability to get on base, either via walk or being hit by a pitch, has made him one of the more valuable players on the team. With solid pop and decent speed to go along with those on base skills, Canha has been what the A’s need.
He certainly has made his presence felt for the A’s this year. Canha has produced a solid .237/.366/.398 batting line, hitting 12 homers and 19 doubles while stealing 11 bases. Meanwhile, he has been excellent defensively, saving six runs in left, and eight runs in total during his time in the outfield.
Of all the impending free agents on the A’s, Canha is likely to attract the most attention of anyone outside of Marte. While other players may be a relative bargain in free agency, ownership will likely need to open the checkbook more than they may want to keep Canha in town. However, he may be more valuable to the A’s than to any other team, making him someone that the franchise needs to find a way to keep.
Next. A difficult decision to make on Canha. dark
Mark Canha has been a key piece for the Oakland A’s over the years. That should not end after this season.