Give the Oakland A's credit: they know what they want to be. First-year GM Amit Patel was tasked with overhauling a batting order that ranked second-to-last in the American League in runs scored. He did so at the risk of neglecting the pitching staff and outfield defense. The A's added 2019 AL MVP Carlos Correa, Gold Glove shortstop Francisco Lindor, and two Japanese stars to the lineup, but did little to nothing to improve the pitching staff.
Gone is longtime ace Sonny Gray to free agency, with nothing but a compensatory draft pick to show for it. They'll need that extra draft pick to replenish a farm system that was raided in offseason trades and now ranks 28 out of 30 MLB teams. Their payroll of $90.7 million is the highest in franchise history, but still lags behind all but eight other big league teams.
After a surprising 85-win season in 2019, Oakland stunned the baseball world by not renewing the contract of longtime manager Bob Melvin. In his place comes Chip Hale, who has reportedly rubbed several players the wrong way already without even playing a game under their first-year skipper. To make matters worse, several of the team's key offseason acquisitions were injured in Spring Training and won't be with the team when it christens its new 36,000 seat stadium April 3rd against the Texas Rangers. Will the A's gamble pay off, or has Patel just set the team back another 10 years in its perpetual rebuilding process?
American League Predictions
National League Predictions
Projected Batting Order:
1. Daisuke Imamura (RF)
The Japanese import hit a scorching .371 in Spring Training before being hobbled by a case of plantar fascitis. The injury is expected to cost him the first three weeks of the season, but the A's hope that Imamura is everything as advertised. The expectations are high considering his $19 million salary and .319 batting average last season in Japan.
2. Franklin Barreto (DH)
The so-called shortstop of the future was moved over to second base in the offseason, and then to A DH role with new manager Chip Hale's commitment to defense. Despite the position upheaval, Barreto figures to be a key part of the A's offensive resurgence, leading the Cactus League with 17 runs scored in the Spring.
3. Francisco Lindor (SS)
The A's landed an MVP candidate in Lindor, evidenced by his .313 batting average and 27 home runs last season for Cleveland. But how much of him will the A's see in 2020? The All-Star shortstop seemed to have kicked the injury bug after being limited to 118 games in 2017 and 73 games in 2018, but Lindor will miss Opening Day due to a back strain.
4. Carlos Correa (3B)
The reigning AL MVP is coming off a 55 home run, 153 RBI season wih the Houston Astros, and has turned heads after making the switch from shortstop to third base since joining Oakland. The A's aren't worried about his awful Spring (.171, 1 HR), and are excited to see what Correa can do as the team's new cleanup hitter.
5. Sueo Mihara (1B)
What does $33 million a year get the A's? They hope 40+ home runs and a hitter to protect Correa in the lineup. Mihara seemed to have no problem adjusting to American pitching, hitting 6 homers and driving in 17 runs in Spring Training. He could be the latest in a long line of Athletics greats at first base, starting with Jimmie Foxx and continuing with Mark McGwire and then Jason Giambi. Or maybe they've found the next Billy Butler. Let's hope not.
6. Andrew McCutchen (CF)
The veteran outfielder had to hold off prospect Akil Baddoo, after the 21 year-old hit .400 in 40 Spring Training at bats. But the A's are practicing patience with Baddoo, leaving him in the minors to grow while McCutchen holds down the job in center. He hit .262 with 23 homers for Baltimore last season, and if he can provide that sort of production in 2020, Oakland will be more than happy with their decision.
7. B.J. Boyd (LF)
Hit .252 in 101 games in his first full MLB season last year, but the sophomore jinx may have already struck the 26 year old outfielder. Boyd had an abbreviated Spring Training while suffering a torn thumb ligament. Others will have to step up in Boyd's absence while he's on the mend.
8. Sean Murphy (C)
In perhaps the surprise development of the Spring, he beat out incumbent Bruce Maxwell for the starting catching job. Murphy spent each of the last two seasons in AA Midland and has never played AAA baseball. But Oakland was impressed with Murphy's defensive skills, and will be patient with his bat as he adjusts to Major League pitching.
9. Richie Martin (2B)
Not known for his bat (.252 in 114 game MLB career), Martin has Gold Glove-type talent at second base. If the A's need an offensive jump start, don't be surprised to see Barreto settle back into playing 2B and having Alen Hanson get time at DH.
Starting Rotation:
#1 Jharel Cotton
Posted a very respectable 3.90 ERA with 163 K in 190 IP last season playing second fiddle to the departed Sonny Gray in the rotation. Now the A's are hoping Cotton can lead a rotation that is devoid of a true ace. Cotton could be that guy.
#2 Adam Conley
The lone lefty in the rotation won just 9 games combined between the A's and Yankees last season, but his .264 BABIP (batting average on balls in play) was the lowest in the American League. His walk numbers, though, are still a concern. Conley issued a league-high 81 walks two years ago, and walked 80 more last season.
#3 Grant Holmes
Just 24 years old, he had a rough go of it in his first MLB season last year. His 6.08 ERA in 31 starts would be enough to scare off most teams, but the A's have faith in their former top-50 prospect. Holmes fits the mold of ground ball pitchers that the team is leaning on in 2020.
#4 Jacob Turner
Went 8-4 with a 3.87 ERA last season, while striking out just 42 batters in 76.2 innings. But he's the prototypical pitcher on this staff: low 90's fastball, ground ball tendencies. As Holmes and Turner go, so will the A's this season.
#5 Mark Appel
By far the biggest surprise out of Spring Training on the pitching staff, the former #1 overall draft pick in 2013 is finally showing signs of turning into a starting pitcher at the Major League level. He came over to Oakland on a trade that sent first baseman Chris Shaw and catcher Carlos Perez to Philadelphia, after posting a 3.14 ERA in 27 appearances (3 starts) in 2019. He outpitched Matt Harvey and others for the final spot in the A's rotation with a 3.31 ERA in Spring Training.
Bullpen:
Closer - Nate Jones:
Took over the closer role after Sean Doolittle was traded and Bobby Wahl suffered a torn rotator cuff in Spring Training. Which version of Jones will the A's get? He disappointed the Giants with a 3.90 ERA and just two saves in a setup role last season, but flourished as the team's closer in 2018 when he saved a NL-best 44 games.
Frankie Montas:
Could be the A's most reliable reliever after appearing in 25 games last season. He's the hardest thrower out of the bullpen, with a fastball that touches 98 mph on the radar gun.
Logan Shore:
25 year-old prospect had a 1.88 ERA in a late-season call-up last year.
Simon Castro:
Boasts a 96 mph fastball and struck out 99 batters in 86 innings last season. His 4.69 ERA was on the high side though.
Daniel Magnifico:
Magnificent in Cactus League play, posting a microscopic 0.67 ERA.
AJ Puk:
Another ground ball pitcher, the one-time can't-miss prospect is hoping to catch on as a lefty specialist out of the bullpen. He's still only 24 and could someday become a starter.
Matt Harvey:
His last full season came in 2017, and Oakland is hoping to resurrect his career under the watchful eye of pitching coach Curt Young. His 0-4 record and 7.20 ERA in Spring Training were discouraging, costing him a spot in the A's rotation.
Summary:
The A's broke the bank to bring an entertaining brand of baseball to Oakland. But the combination of a first-year manager, a rookie general manager, and a nondescript pitching rotation may be too much for even Carlos Correa and company to overcome. 90 wins seems like a reach in a very tough American League West in 2020.