White Cleat Beat
Fansided

Projecting the Oakland A’s Opening Day lineup

By David Hill

Sep 10, 2021; Oakland, California, USA; Oakland Athletics catcher Sean Murphy (12) hits a single during the second inning against the Texas Rangers at RingCentral Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Stan Szeto-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 10, 2021; Oakland, California, USA; Oakland Athletics catcher Sean Murphy (12) hits a single during the second inning against the Texas Rangers at RingCentral Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Stan Szeto-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
1 of 3
Next
Mandatory Credit: Rick Scuteri-USA TODAY Sports
Mandatory Credit: Rick Scuteri-USA TODAY Sports /

It is going to be difficult to tell the Oakland A’s without a program this year.

Familiar faces are already gone. Matt Olson, Matt Chapman, and Chris Bassitt have been traded away. Sean Manaea and Frankie Montas are likely to follow them soon. Rumors have surrounded Sean Murphy, Lou Trivino, and Ramon Laureano. More trades seem inevitable, either before Opening Day or shortly thereafter.

An early look at the Oakland A’s Opening Day lineup

Those trades have already led to plenty of openings on the A’s depth chart. As it currently stands, the A’s do not have anyone listed on their depth chart at first, second, or third base. Chad Pinder is listed as the starter in both left and center. Plenty of players will need to be added to the roster in order for the A’s to have a full team come April 8.

What will the Oakland A’s starting lineup look like on Opening Day? Let’s take a guess as to the starting nine come April 8.

Catcher – Sean Murphy

For all the chatter about Sean Murphy being traded by the Oakland A’s, it just does not make sense. He still has plenty of team control left, and as a Gold Glove winning catcher, will be extremely valuable to the roster. Add in his solid power, and he is likely to slot in the middle of the lineup. If his luck with the batted ball improves, Murphy could have his breakout campaign in 2022, cementing his place as a building block for the A’s.

Designated Hitter – Eric Thames

Eric Thames has been a dangerous middle of the order hitter in the past. He belted 31 homers for the Brewers in 2017 and hit 25 homers in 2019. Injuries have hindered him since, including his time in Japan last year, but there is still hope that he can be a powerful bat in the lineup. Although he is 35 years old now, he is likely to get a chance to prove he can still be that slugger for the A’s.