Oakland A’s need Stephen Piscotty to rebound in 2022
By David Hill
As the Oakland A’s look to trade anyone making a reasonable salary away, there are two players that are likely untradeable. Elvis Andrus and Stephen Piscotty are making a lot of money for the A’s, even if their contracts would seemingly be reasonable for any other team. That is especially the case with the Rangers paying half of Andrus’ salary this year.
The problem is that neither player has been a useful part of the lineup in years. Andrus, at this point, is likely a lost cause and someone that simply will not get batter. However, there is at least some reason to hope that Piscotty can get back to being somewhat productive.
Oakland A’s need Stephen Piscotty rebound
It is difficult to think that there is any hope of a rebound taking place. Piscotty posted a .220/.282/.353 batting line in his 188 plate appearances, hitting five homers and eight doubles. He also has not been an above average bat since 2018, producing a .237/.293/.385 batting line with 23 homers and 31 doubles in his 752 plate appearances since the start of the 2019 season.
But Piscotty has also been injured over much of that time frame. Ankle and knee injuries torpedoed his 2019 campaign. He underwent surgery on a lingering wrist injury last season which may explain his disappointing performance in 2021.
The A’s certainly hope that his wrist surgery will get him back on track. Piscotty is due a shade over $8 million with the buyout of his $15 million option for 2023. A strong start to the season could lead to a reasonable market for his services at the deadline, allowing the A’s to add another prospect to their system.
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Stephen Piscotty has battled plenty of injuries over the last few years. The Oakland A’s are hoping that he can turn his career around in 2022.