Every winter, we always get one or two “What the hell is Beane doing?” moments. This offseason, we had even more of those. In selling off key pieces of what has been a playoff team for three consecutive years, Billy Beane raised no shortage of eyebrows. Some questioned if he was already punting the year and setting up for the future. But even in moving key players such as Josh Donaldson and Brandon Moss, Beane reinvented his lineup, with multiple players capable of playing multiple positions, which adds up to a wealth of lineup opportunities. It won’t always be pretty, but the Oakland A’s are going to be quite a bit of fun to watch.
Depth Chart (as of 3/5)
C: Stephen Vogt/Josh Phegley
1B: Ike Davis
2B: Ben Zobrist
SS: Marcus Semien
3B: Brett Lawrie
LF: Coco Crisp
CF: Sam Fuld/Craig Gentry
RF: Josh Reddick
SP: Sonny Gray
SP: Scott Kazmir
SP: Jesse Hahn
SP: Drew Pomeranz
SP: Jesse Chavez
CL: Sean Doolittle (when healthy)
New Faces: R.J. Alvarez, Chris Bassitt, Billy Butler, Tyler Clippard, Ike Davis, Kendall Graveman, Jesse Hahn, Brett Lawrie, Sean Nolin, Josh Phegley, Marcus Semien, Joe Wendle, Ben Zobrist
Departures: Daric Barton, Kyle Blanks, Alberto Callaspo, Josh Donaldson, Adam Dunn, Jonny Gomes, Luke Gregerson, Jason Hammel, John Jaso, Jon Lester, Jed Lowrie, Brandon Moss, Derek Norris, Nick Punto, Daniel Robertson, Jeff Samardzija, Geovany Soto, Michael Ynoa
MESA, AZ – FEBRUARY 28: Pitcher Kendall Graveman #31 of the Oakland Athletics poses for a portrait during the spring training photo day at HoHoKam Stadium on February 28, 2015 in Mesa, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
Impact Rookies: Despite the massive overhaul within the Athletics lineup and pitching staff, there isn’t a ton of room for rookies to come up and make an impact. Of course, this is Oakland and anyone could sneak up on us at any time. Kendall Graveman seems as good a candidate as anyone to do that. Acquired in the Donaldson trade, Graveman has the stuff to be a starter, but can contribute in the bullpen as well. With the latter half of the A’s rotation subject to availability, we could see Graveman grab some starts at some point this season.
CLEVELAND, OH – MAY 3: Third baseman Marcus Semien #5 of the Chicago White Sox drops a pop fly hit David Murphy #7 of the Cleveland Indians during the second inning by at Progressive Field on May 3, 2014 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)
Position Battles: There aren’t a whole lot of position battles, other than some interchangeable parts within the pitching staff. Nonetheless, we can use this space to discuss the versatility of the Oakland lineup. Ben Zobrist is capable of playing multiple positions. Marcus Semien can play multiple positions. Brett Lawrie can play third and second. Eric Sogard can play short and maybe third. Craig Gentry, Sam Fuld, and Coco Crisp can all play different spots in the outfield. There are so many different things that Bob Melvin can do with this lineup depending on the matchups, which is a reason you can’t rule this team out.
KANSAS CITY, MO – SEPTEMBER 30: Sean Doolittle #62 of the Oakland Athletics pitches in the ninth inning against the Kansas City Royals during the American League Wild Card game at Kauffman Stadium on September 30, 2014 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Ed Zurga/Getty Images)
Injury Concerns: Sean Doolittle won’t be ready for the season because of a shoulder injury. Jarrod Parker is set to return from Tommy John surgery in June, but it remains to be seen just how effective he’ll be, if he’s even ready at that point. Brett Lawrie has dealt with his own injury issues across the last couple of seasons, partially due to his all-out style of play. Josh Reddick and Coco Crisp have had their own bouts with nagging injuries in each of the last few years as well.
ARLINGTON, TX – SEPTEMBER 28: Sonny Gray #54 of the Oakland Athletics celebrates after defeating the Texas Rangers 4-0 and advancing to the MLB playoffs at Globe Life Park in Arlington on September 28, 2014 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
Most Important Player: Sonny Gray needs to be the ace at the top of the rotation for an A’s rotation that lost both Jon Lester and Jeff Samardzija in the offseason. He experienced a bit of a lull at different points throughout the season, but we know what Gray is capable of when it comes down to it. ZiPS projects him at a 2.6 WAR, with a 3.36 ERA and 3.58 FIP. He’ll need to be even better than that, with quite a bit of uncertainty the farther you go down the list of options in the Oakland rotation.
BALTIMORE, MD – JUNE 14: Brett Lawrie #13 of the Toronto Blue Jays reacts after being hit by a pitch from Bud Norris #25 of the Baltimore Orioles during the second inning of their game at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on June 14, 2014 in Baltimore, Maryland. Also pictured is home plate umpire Mike Estabrook. (Photo by Jonathan Ernst/Getty Images)
X-Factor: Billy Beane took a major risk in dealing Donaldson, an MVP candidate in each of the last two years, for a wild card like Brett Lawrie. Lawrie has always had a ton of upside, both at the plate and as a fielder, but he hasn’t been able to completely realize it to this point. Health has certainly played its part in it and his makeup has been in question on numerous occasions. A change of scenery could certainly help. He’s going to have to provide consistent offense for an A’s team that doesn’t necessarily have a ton to go around on any given day.
GLENDALE, AZ – MARCH 10: Starting pitcher Jarrod Parker #11 of the Oakland Athletics pitches against the Los Angeles Dodgers during the spring training game at Camelback Ranch on March 10, 2014 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
Key Question: Can Jarrod Parker come back from Tommy John in time to make an impact? Any Oakland season that features a potential playoff berth is likely going to have to require someone like Parker to make his presence known in the rotation. He has a 3.68 ERA combined in his two seasons with the A’s, and would give Oakland a very formidable 1-2-3 in the rotation with Gray, Scott Kazmir, and himself. There are questions beyond Gray and Kazmir, in terms of health, performance, and upside, among all rotation candidates. A Parker return in June, as anticipated, would help to mitigate some of the concerns swirling around the rotation.
OAKLAND, CA – AUGUST 09: Stephen Vogt #21 and Josh Reddick #16 of the Oakland Athletics celebrates after Vogt hit a two-run homer against the Minnesota Twins in the bottom of the fifth inning at O.co Coliseum on August 9, 2014 in Oakland, California. Reddick was on base when Vogt hit the home run. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
Best Case Scenario: The massive overhaul throughout the lineup and pitching staff is certainly going to test Bob Melvin’s mettle as a manager. Nonetheless, he’s shown capable of managing a lineup heavily predicated around platoons at multiple positions. If he can properly manage this lineup and play the matchups appropriately, this can be a playoff team. Even with that in mind, it’s still difficult to see them making a deep run unless they make a significant trade deadline acquisition or two.
Worst Case Scenario: Brett Lawrie completely blows up in Beane’s face and continues to struggle, both in his performance and in maintaining his health. Coco Crisp continues to show his age. Parker isn’t effective upon his return. Sonny Gray and Scott Kazmir struggle as the 1-2 punch. Sean Doolittle isn’t as effective in coming back from his shoulder injury. There are some many possible things that could go wrong with this group. It’s a delicate situation.
Realistic Prediction: The A’s aren’t nearly as bad as we all feared they could be when Billy Beane started selling off every possible piece. This is still a pretty formidable club. In playing the matchups and getting effective pitching, with an on-time return from Jarrod Parker and continued effectiveness out of the bullpen, the A’s will likely be in the mix for one of the American League wild card spots.
