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Dan Straily could be worthwhile piece for Oakland A’s

By David Hill |
May 16, 2019; Cleveland, OH, USA; Baltimore Orioles starting pitcher Dan Straily (53) delivers in the first inning against the Cleveland Indians at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports
May 16, 2019; Cleveland, OH, USA; Baltimore Orioles starting pitcher Dan Straily (53) delivers in the first inning against the Cleveland Indians at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports

The Oakland A’s budgetary crunch is going to lead to even more holes on the roster than could have been anticipated. With 11 players eligible for arbitration, and ten free agents, the 2022 roster will be drastically different than what the A’s had on the diamond in 2021. Virtually everyone is on the trade block, with the A’s looking to pare down their budget as much as possible.

This will lead the A’s to look for bargains in free agency. They simply do not have enough pieces in the minors that are close enough to the major league level to fill out the roster. Dan Straily could be one of those bargain free agents that the A’s should take a look at.

Dan Straily worth a look for Oakland A’s

When we last saw Straily in the majors, he was a disaster. After years of being a solid back of the rotation arm, he imploded in Baltimore, posting a 9.82 ERA and a 1.993 WHiP in his 47.2 innings. Unable to attract a major league offer after that performance, he headed to South Korea in hopes of resurrecting his career.

Straily did exactly that. While he did not pitch at the same level this season, his time with the Lotte Giants was an overall success. He posted a 3.22 ERA and a 1.188 WHiP in his 360.1 innings, striking out 369 batters with 118 walks. That is the type of performance that could lead to a return to the majors.

It is something that Straily wants as well. He stated in a live chat on MLBTR that he wants to return to the majors and retire stateside. Considering the lack of pitching across the league, it would not be a surprise if a team gave him a chance.

The A’s should be that team. They are expected to trade Sean Manaea and Chris Bassitt at minimum, leaving two openings in the rotation. Adding a veteran arm such as Straily, one who has been through the battles on different teams and continents, could go a long way towards developing those younger arms at the major league level.

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The Oakland A’s are going to be bargain hunting in free agency. Dan Straily could be an interesting piece, especially for the younger arms.

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