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Hendu Style · 12-13-2013, 01:22 PM

Reeling A's Consider Big Shakeup

May 31, 2017

SAN DIEGO, Calif. -- Losers of five of their last seven games, 4.5 games out of first place, the Oakland A's are considering a shakeup to snap them out of their early season funk. High-priced free agent acquisition Michael Pineda was roughed up for five first inning runs in Wednesday's 5-2 loss to the Padres, ending a miserable 10-16 month of May.

"Thank God that month is over," said a beleaguered David Forst after the game. The A's general manager acknowledged that he is considering shaking things up, but is holding off on a trade for the time being.

"I think the pieces are in place for us to be a very, very good team," said Forst. "I feel that it's just a matter of properly using those pieces, and right now I don't think we're doing that."

Chief among Forst's concerns right now is a lineup that ranks 12th out of 15 American League teams in runs scored. Journeyman Eric Sogard has been pressed into duty with middle infielders Addison Russell and Arismendy Alcantara both on the disabled list with injuries. Cavan Biggio, thought to be a long-term solution at second base, has struggled at a .227 batting clip and has been relegated to DH duties so he can focus on his hitting. The A's are also pondering bringing up 19 year-old outfield prospect Sancho Fajardo, who is batting .310 with 24 stolen bases in AAA Sacramento.

"That is absolutely on the list of options," said Forst.

The A's have been holding off on calling up Fajardo until he cut down his strikeout numbers. In his first full season in AAA last year, he struck out 164 times in 134 games. This year, those numbers are down to 34 in 50 games. He would also bring a much needed element of speed (24 steals in 28 attempts this season) to a lineup that has stolen a total of just 24 bases all season.

The A's bullpen has also struggled out of the gate, with newly-inserted closer Michael Montgomery leading the AL with 16 saves, but getting hammered for a 5.24 ERA so far this season.

"Montgomery's going to be just fine," said Forst. "But in the short-term, we may have to start looking at someone else in that role."

Jeurys Familia, a recently converted reliever, has been a revelation, posting a 1.48 ERA with 26 strikeouts in 24.1 innings pitched. He would seem to be the most likely candidate to take over at closer.

At 27-26, the A's are far from out of the pennant chase. But the month of June could be a very telling one for a team that is looking to reach the postseason for a sixth year in a row, something even the 1970's A's failed to accomplish.

12-13-2013, 01:22 PM	#72
Hendu Style All Star Starter Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 1,452	Reeling A's Consider Big Shakeup May 31, 2017 SAN DIEGO, Calif. -- Losers of five of their last seven games, 4.5 games out of first place, the Oakland A's are considering a shakeup to snap them out of their early season funk. High-priced free agent acquisition Michael Pineda was roughed up for five first inning runs in Wednesday's 5-2 loss to the Padres, ending a miserable 10-16 month of May. "Thank God that month is over," said a beleaguered David Forst after the game. The A's general manager acknowledged that he is considering shaking things up, but is holding off on a trade for the time being. "I think the pieces are in place for us to be a very, very good team," said Forst. "I feel that it's just a matter of properly using those pieces, and right now I don't think we're doing that." Chief among Forst's concerns right now is a lineup that ranks 12th out of 15 American League teams in runs scored. Journeyman Eric Sogard has been pressed into duty with middle infielders Addison Russell and Arismendy Alcantara both on the disabled list with injuries. Cavan Biggio, thought to be a long-term solution at second base, has struggled at a .227 batting clip and has been relegated to DH duties so he can focus on his hitting. The A's are also pondering bringing up 19 year-old outfield prospect Sancho Fajardo, who is batting .310 with 24 stolen bases in AAA Sacramento. "That is absolutely on the list of options," said Forst. The A's have been holding off on calling up Fajardo until he cut down his strikeout numbers. In his first full season in AAA last year, he struck out 164 times in 134 games. This year, those numbers are down to 34 in 50 games. He would also bring a much needed element of speed (24 steals in 28 attempts this season) to a lineup that has stolen a total of just 24 bases all season. The A's bullpen has also struggled out of the gate, with newly-inserted closer Michael Montgomery leading the AL with 16 saves, but getting hammered for a 5.24 ERA so far this season. "Montgomery's going to be just fine," said Forst. "But in the short-term, we may have to start looking at someone else in that role." Jeurys Familia, a recently converted reliever, has been a revelation, posting a 1.48 ERA with 26 strikeouts in 24.1 innings pitched. He would seem to be the most likely candidate to take over at closer. At 27-26, the A's are far from out of the pennant chase. But the month of June could be a very telling one for a team that is looking to reach the postseason for a sixth year in a row, something even the 1970's A's failed to accomplish. Attached Images __________________ Catch me on Twitch.tv as Dr. Dynastic (drdynastic) Previous OOTP Dynasties: SimNation Fictional Universe (est. 1889) This is Oakland A's Baseball Beane Counting: The Oakland A's Last edited by Hendu Style; 12-15-2013 at 01:54 AM.