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Oakland A’s should make exception for Chad Pinder

By David Hill

Aug 27, 2022; Oakland, California, USA; Oakland Athletics right fielder Chad Pinder (10) makes a catch against the wall against the New York Yankees in the third inning at RingCentral Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 27, 2022; Oakland, California, USA; Oakland Athletics right fielder Chad Pinder (10) makes a catch against the wall against the New York Yankees in the third inning at RingCentral Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports /
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Chad Pinder is an interesting dilemma for the Oakland A’s.

The A’s clearly think highly of him to the point where he did not leave at the trade deadline. This is after there was plenty of interest in his services given the pop in his bat and defensive versaility. Additionally, Pinder is a free agent after the season, and it is not as though the A’s are going to spend money to retain any of their players. He will not receive a Qualifying Offer because not only would he accept it, but that salary will likely pay for two thirds of their 2023 roster.

Oakland A’s need to find way to bring Chad Pinder back

Pinder has been somewhat disappointing this season. His 83 OPS+ with ten homers and 16 doubles over 330 plate appearances is not what anyone would have hoped for. Likewise, he has struggled a bit defensively, costing the A’s three runs in left and two runs at third.

However, given his versatility and previous track record of being approximately a league average bat, he could be a relative bargain. As he would be just 30 years old and is also valued for his leadership, he is going to have plenty of suitors in free agency as well.

Those suitors should include the A’s. Yes, this goes entirely against their modus operandi and everything that they have been since the end of the 2021 season, but there has to be a reason for keeping Pinder at the deadline. If they bring him back for another year, even if it is just for that leadership and to help guide the youth movement, then that refusal to trade him makes more sense.

The A’s also need players capable of being useful in the outfield. Despite 14 different players seeing time in the outfield, the A’s still felt that Pinder was more valuable to the organization. Chances are, that is not going to change in 2023.

Next. The underappreciated Sean Murphy. dark

The Oakland A’s refused to trade Chad Pinder at the deadline. They should change their plans and find a way to bring him back in 2023.