2020 finish: 36-24, 1st in AL West, lost 3-1 to Houston in ALDS
Key additions: Sergio Romo (FA MIN), Trevor Rosenthal (FA SD), Mitch Moreland (FA SD), Elvis Andrus (trade TEX)
Key subtractions: Jake Lamb (FA ATL), Tommy La Stella (FA SF), Robbie Grossman (FA DET), Joakim Soria (FA ARZ), Liam Hendricks (FA CHW), Mike Minor (FA KC), Marcus Semien (FA TOR), Khris Davis (trade TEX)
The A’s finished the 2020 season 4 games shy of the best record in the American League, earning them the 2nd seed in the 8 team playoff. They matched up with the White Sox beating them in 3 games before losing to the Astros in 4. There were lots of good things. Sean Manaea stayed healthy, rookie Sean Murphy became the team’s best hitter, and Luzardo looked like a future ace. There was a lot of movement within the A’s this offseason, losing many key players but the few big moves they made, they received some good quality players. So, how athletic will Oakland be?
Matt Olson has become one of the biggest power producing 1B in the league. Aside from the shortened season (we’ll talk about that in a minute), and his debut season (he kept his rookie status into his 2nd year), he has hit 20+ home runs in each season, topping out at 36 in 2019 in only 127 games. Now back to last year. He hit 14 home runs playing every game. He was on pace to eclipse his career high. There’s no reason why he can’t hit 30 home runs again this year. Matt Chapman has become one of the best defenders in the game at 3B. Numbers suggests he’s even better than Nolan Arenado. That’s saying something! He has a great bat too. While he didn’t hit for that great of an average last year, that’s could be due to his ailing shoulder. He was an MVP candidate in 2018 & 2019. He could be in line for 25+ home runs with a near .250 batting average. He’s had an OPS+ of 111 or better in each season and he should continue that streak in 2021. At short, they had a vacancy after Marcus Semien signed with the Blue Jays. They wound up trading for Elvis Andrus, the Rangers long-time short stop. Andrus was likely going to be changing positions in Texas so he gladly waived his 10-5 rights to veto the trade. A player can earn 10-5 rights if they have been in the league for a total of 10 seasons, the last 5 being with the same team. Entering his age 32 season, provided he can get on base, he could still provide 25 steals. At 2B, you’ll likely see Tony Kemp he doesn’t wow you with anything but gets the job done.
Stephen Piscotty continues to man right field. For those of you that don’t remember, he was traded to Oakland before the 2018 season to be closer to his ailing mother who later succumbed to ALS. He’s now entering his 4th season and does everything right and a little bit of everything. Ramon Laureano is poised for another breakout season. He broke out of sorts in 2019 but I think he could do even better in 2021. He will likely get you a .275 average and has 25+ home run potential to go along with a dozen stolen bases. When you look at the left fielder, you wouldn’t think this guy is a good player. Mark Canha? That’s exactly what he’s become. While he’s likely their leadoff, he won’t get you many stolen bases, but he will get on base by walking or getting hit by the pitch. He has some decent pop too, smacking 26 home runs in 2019.Â
Projected lineup via Fangraphs
Mark Canha LF
Ramon Laureano CF
Matt Chapman 3B
Matt Olson 1B
Sean Murphy C
Mitch Moreland DH
Stephen Piscotty RF
Elvis Andrus SS
Tony Kemp 2B
Chris Bassitt has quietly become one of the better pitchers in the AL, earning some Cy Young votes last year. Would you have known that he had a sub 2.30 ERA? While he doesn’t strike many guys out, he doesn’t walk many and keeps the ball on the ground. He likely won’t be their ace for long. Jesus Luzardo looks every bit of that. While numbers may not quite back that up yet, they should after this season. He averaged about 6 innings per game last season and could very well improve that mark this year. He should be able to reach double digit strikeout rates too. As mentioned, Sean Manaea finally had a full healthy season. He had a 4.50 ERA so it wasn’t all roses. He needs to be able to improve his stamina. Plus being another year removed from injury, he should not only improve his stamina, he should also be able to produce better numbers, numbers he was producing before. He has looked great so far this spring going 3-0 in 12 innings with 12 strikeouts. Frankie Montas has had an up and down career so far. He was stellar in 2019, but last year, not so much. His walk rate nearly doubled and he became slightly more hitable, all while slightly increasing his K rate. I do believe he could bounce back but he’ll likely be more of a 3.50 ERA guy. Daulton Jefferies got a lick of the majors last year and is poised to take over the 5th spot in the rotation. In 5 games this spring, he is 2-0 with a 1.38 ERA.
Projected rotation via Fangraphs
Chris Bassitt
Jesus Luzardo
Sean Manaea
Frankie Montas
Daulton Jefferies
Trevor Rosenthal – closer
Prospects you should know
Tyler Soderstrom – 2020 draftee, arguably the best catcher in the draft class. Currently a better hitter than catcher. Could be moved to a different position.
AJ Puk – It seems like he has been a prospect for 10 years. Hampered by injuries the past few seasons. Once thought of a top starter, could be relegated to the pen.
Robert Puason – One of the top international free agent prospects of the 2019 class. Could develop into a 15 home run guy.
Worst case scenario – Â Pitching gets the best of them. Too young and inexperienced.Â
Best case scenario – Young pitching continues to improve. Chapman gets back to his MVP potential, Laureano has another breakout.
My prediction: 1st AL West
