3 moves for the Oakland A’s this offseason
The Oakland A’s are in a transitionary period. Long time manager Bob Melvin has departed, being allowed to head to the Padres. The team is looking to slash payroll down to a reported $50 million mark which is going to lead to a lot of trades and free agent departures.
There are potential complications. The Collective Bargaining Agreement is set to expire and there are questions as to the financial aspects of the new deal. Major League Baseball has proposed a salary floor which could complicate the A’s plans, although the Player’s Union is steadfastly opposed to the idea.
Three moves for the Oakland A’s this offseason
For now, the assumption is that there will not be a salary floor and the teardown will happen as expected. It is part of the cycle for the A’s – they compete, do not supplement their core for financial reasons, then rip it all apart because they cannot afford their salaries in arbitration. Another downturn is coming.
The Oakland A’s have a busy offseason ahead of them. Let’s take a look at three moves they should make as they look towards the future.
Hire Ron Washington
The most surprising addition to the Oakland A’s offseason shopping list is their need for a new manager.
Even though they were entering a rebuild, no one expected that Melvin would be leaving. He was expected to be a part of the organization until he retired. But this was one rebuild too much as he indicated that he wanted to be part of a franchise that had a chance to win and ownership that was willing to provide the financial support needed.
This leaves the A’s in need of someone who is capable of working with younger players, knows how to develop prospects, and understands the organizational philosophy. Former Rangers manager Ron Washington, who had been a coach for the A’s previously, fits that description perfectly.
Washington wants another chance to manage, and the A’s may be his best chance this offseason. He is still beloved by the organization, for his ability to teach the game and his upbeat personality. He made a tremendous difference in Atlanta, and could do the same if given the chance in Oakland.
The Oakland A’s need a new manager. It is time to bring Ron Washington back into the fold.
Extend Ramon Laureano
The Oakland A’s may not enjoy paying high salaries to players, but they do love a bargain. They may have one with Ramon Laureano.
Laureano had a solid showing in 2021. He produced a respectable .246/.317/.443 batting line in his 378 plate appearances, hitting 14 homers and 21 doubles while stealing 12 bases. His defense was excellent as always and he continued to step up as one of the leaders of the clubhouse.
But Laureano saw his season cut short due to a PED suspension. That put his performance from last year into question, especially as it pertains to his stolen base and home run numbers. That suspension will also keep him out of the lineup for the first few weeks of the 2022 campaign as well.
This also gives the A’s a potential bargain. Laureano is a viable five tool player, someone that can make a major difference going forward. He is someone that the A’s can build around and market, be it in Oakland or Las Vegas.
Ramon Laureano is the type of player that any team would want. He is also the type of player that the Oakland A’s should look to keep and build around.
Make a couple of needed moves
The Oakland A’s are going to be making quite a few trades this offseason. Two players in particular, Matt Chapman and Sean Manaea, should be dealt, albeit for different reasons.
In Chapman’s case, this may be the last offseason that the A’s can receive decent value for his services. While he was still a Gold Glove caliber third baseman and hit for power, he struck out 202 times and produced a 100 OPS+. However, his power bat and excellent defense still give him value that the A’s could capitalize on.
Manaea is a different case. He is a year away from free agency and the A’s would not be able to keep him in the first place. Although he may not be a staff ace, he is a top of the rotation arm and someone that contending teams would covet.
The A’s are clearly going to trade more than just those two. The entire roster is essentially on the block. However, they should look to be the most aggressive in moving Manaea and Chapman, although for completely different reasons.
Next. 3 potential landing spots for Matt Chapman. dark
The Oakland A’s are going to be trading off key pieces of the roster. Matt Chapman and Sean Manaea make the most sense as the first pieces to go.