5 keys to a successful offseason for the Athletics
By Tim Smart
Add Talent Via Trades
David Forst has exhausted most of the A’s trade chips over the past few years, and there isn’t much left to be dealt. It’s unlikely that the team would be able to move Aledmys Diaz’s contract, and there aren’t any late-arbitration type players that need to move. However, if the club can get something for Paul Blackburn, they should do so.
Blackburn had a steady year, posting a 3.96 FIP despite a 4.43 ERA in 103.2 innings. However, the walk rate spiked a full three percentage points. Meanwhile, he allowed the second highest rate of fly balls in his career, coupled with his lowest HR/FB rate. He very well could be in line for some negative regression.
Blackburn will be in his age-30 season next year, along with it being his first arbitration year. Cot’s Contracts projects him at $2.9m in 2024, which is more than affordable. He would fit nicely in the back end of a competitive team’s rotation, and while he won’t bring back a major prospect, he could bring a viable player or two back to Oakland.