3 Oakland A’s most likely to be traded this offseason
The cuts are coming. It is just a matter of when the Oakland A’s will pull the trigger.
Some of those have already happened. The A’s declined their option on Jake Diekman, letting him loose in free agency. Bob Melvin was allowed to leave without any compensation coming back. None of their significant free agents will be back. Ownership had already begun crying poverty before the offseason began. It is going to be a long countdown to Opening Day.
Three Oakland A’s players most likely to be traded
Trade rumors are already starting. There is plenty of speculation that Matt Olson will be heading to the Yankees, although there have yet to be any rumors of talks between the teams. The A’s pitching staff would be able to help plenty of teams as well, allowing them to inject talent into their farm system. But the A’s have to determine their direction first.
Let’s take a look at three players that could be dealt by the Oakland A’s this offseason.
Matt Olson
As the Oakland A’s look to pare down their payroll, they are going to have to make some difficult decisions. Matt Olson may be the hardest cut they have to make.
Olson emerged as a star last season, posting a career best .271/.371/.540 batting line with 39 homers and 35 doubles, driving in 100 runs for the first time. He made his first All Star Game and is a Gold Glove finalist. With two more years of team control left, he would seemingly be someone for the A’s to continue to build around.
The problem is that Olson is about to get very expensive. He made $5 million last season and should see a significant boost in salary this offseason. With the A’s quest to cut expenses, that expected salary increase is likely his ticket out the door.
There would be a robust market for Olson. The aforementioned Yankees are in need of a first baseman, as are other teams that are hoping to compete. Bringing in a player with that type of power and defense could make a major impact upon the middle of the batting order.
Matt Olson is one of the best players on the Oakland A’s. He may also become one of the most expensive if he is not traded.
Sean Manaea
The Oakland A’s simply do not sign top free agents. This likely means that Sean Manaea would be out the door anyway after the 2022 season.
Manaea bounced back from an up and down 2020 season to put together a solid year in 2021. He posted a 3.94 ERA and a 1.227 WHiP in his 179.1 innings, striking out 194 batters with 41 walks. He also established himself as what passes for a workhorse these days, leading the American League in games started, complete games, and shutouts.
He should also see a solid increase in salary next year. Manaea had made $5.95 million coming off of a disappointing season, and while his performance last year was not great, it was certainly respectable. That increase is also likely to put him beyond the A’s comfort level in terms of spending.
While Manaea is not an ace, he is a solid middle of the rotation arm. He is the type of pitcher that a team looking to contend could use, a solid third starter who may be somewhat inconsistent, but can dominate on any given night. That type of pitcher would generate plenty of interest in the trade market.
Sean Manaea has one year of team control left. Even without the mandate to limit payroll, the Oakland A’s may have looked to deal him anyway.
Chris Bassitt
Chris Bassitt got a chance to stick in the Oakland A’s rotation last season due to injuries. He made the most of his opportunity, establishing himself as a somewhat unconventional staff ace.
Bassitt followed up his breakout 2020 season with an impressive showing last year. He made his first All Star Game, posting a 3.15 ERA and a 1.055 WHiP over his 157.1 innings, striking out 159 batters with just 39 walks. Although he does not have the best stuff, his excellent command and groundball tendencies have turned him into a top of the rotation starter.
He also showed his toughness last season. The only thing that slowed him down was a line drive that struck him in the face, resulting in several facial fractures that required surgery. Even though the A’s were essentially out of the playoff hunt, Bassitt returned at the end of the year, making two more starts in an attempt to give the team a needed spark.
Bassitt is on the older side – he will turn 33 before the start of the 2022 season. He also has just one more year of team control left. However, he does not have a lot of innings on his arm, and as a late bloomer, could just be getting started. His stature as a top of the rotation arm will lead to plenty of offers if he comes available.
Next. A's may be eyeing 2026. dark
Chris Bassitt has emerged as the ace of the Oakland A’s. It would not be a surprise if another team acquired him to take over that role.