The Future of Oakland (2024 A's)

[rhaums]

A notoriously cheap owner, a disengaged fanbase, a barren MiLB system and one of the worst rosters in the MLB. It was no wonder that the Athletics struggled to attract a big name GM to the Coliseum. However, Tess Stanford, a little known name from the Braves front office, was finally announced to be filling this role.

Stanford conceded that the next couple of years may have their struggles for A's fans, but hopes that as her plan plays out, A's fans will be reinvigorated with excitement for the team. She also expressed a desire to see the team stay in Oakland, and has said she'll do her best to ensure this happens.

Season Preview 2024:
The roster Stanford is inheriting has little to be excited about. After struggling last year, the hitting core will likely center around Zack Gelof (2.3 WAR from 69 games in 2023) and Brent Rooker (2.1 WAR from 137 games in 2023). While the lineup has a number of strong defenders, Stanford will need to put in hard work to rebuild this hitting lineup.

On the mound, the A's don't look quite as bad, but are very forgettable. New acquisition Alex Wood has been hovering around replacement level for a few years now, while Ross Stripling and Paul Blackburn both had mid 4 eras in 2023. Mason Miller showed promise in his MLB cameo last year (with 10.3 K/9) and fans will be hoping this transfers to a full season. There are also a number of other mediocre pitchers on the IL, that will likely make their way onto the roster this season.

Wins Over/Under: 57.5

Top Prospects:
Jacob Wilson (21, SS, A+ - #89 OSA Ranked)
A 2023 draft pick from the A's, Wilson projects to be a decent defensive middle infielder and solid contact hitter. He already has fantastic ability to avoid striking out, and that combined with a good ability to find the gap and above average speed could be a decent rally starter in the MLB. Wilson is also one of the main hitting prospects for the A's so they'll be desperately hoping things turn out strong for him.

Luis Morales (21, SP, R - #95 OSA Ranked)
A pitcher with plus stuff, movement and control, Morales projects to be a very solid mid-rotation starter. He throws mid 90s, and pitches with a Fastball, Slider, Curveball and Changeups, all with excellent ceilings. His defense is nothing to write home about, but isn't a liability. However, starting in Rookieball at 21, he'll have to impress quickly to get himself a spot in the higher minor leagues.

Darell Hernaiez (22, 2B, AAA)
Another middle infielder, Hernaiez may be getting MLB at bats as soon as this season. While he had a 96 wRC+ in AAA for the 2023 season, his strong contact skills could help him find a place in a MLB lineup that is lacking in the hitting department. There are definitely much better second basemen defensively in baseball, but he should still be serviceable.


There's a lot of work to be done to get this team to October, but with Opening Day looming, there's only so much to be done for now.

OOC Information
I'm using the latest OOTP patch with a standard start, but have imported the JPBO and filled it with fictional players. I also have the KBO, independent leagues and AFL loaded.

[rhaums]

2024 Rotation:
JP Sears
Alex Wood
Mitch Spence
Paul Blackburn
Ross Stripling

Bullpen:
Mason Miller
Brady Basso
Michael Kelly
Kyle Muller
Osvaldo Bido
Joe Boyle
Adrian Martinez
Austin Adams

Lineup:
1. Esteury Ruiz (R | CF)
2. J.D. Davis (R | RF)
3. Ryan Noda (L | DH)
4. JJ Bleday (L | LF)
5. Brent Rooker (R | 1B)
6. Tyler Nevin (R | 3B)
7. Zack Gelof (R | 2B)
8. Shea Langeliers (R | C)
9. Nick Allen (R | SS)

Bench:
Seth Brown (L | OF)
Abraham Toro (S | 3B)
Drew Lugbauer (L | C)
Stephen Piscotty (R | RF)



Weekly Round Up (28-31 March)


28th March: CLE 3 @ OAK 0
Opening day in Oakland was not good for this team. 7 Innings of shutout baseball from Shane Bieber kept the offense to 4 hits. Meanwhile JP Sears had to be pulled after allowing 7 hits through 4.1 innings.
W: S. Bieber (1-0)
L: J. Sears (0-1)
SV: E. Clase (1)
Record: 0-1

29th March: CLE 9 @ OAK 5
A better game at the plate for the A's, with Rooker and Gelof both going deep. Alex Wood, with 4 ER in 4.2 IP, also struggled, giving Cleveland plenty of ABs against Oakland's weak bullpen.
W: T. Bibee (1-0)
L: A. Wood (0-1)
Record: 0-2

30th March: CLE 7 @ OAK 2
JJ Bleday goes deep, but that's about the only good news for Oakland. Spence has to be pulled in the 4th inning, after allowing 4 runs. Cleveland win the opening series of the year, with one game left to play.
W: T. McKenzie (1-0)
L: M. Spence (0-1)
Record: 0-3

31st March: CLE 1 @ OAK 2
Oakland finally get their first win of 2024. Paul Blackburn pitches 5.2 innings of 1 run ball with 5 strikeouts and 3 hits. Mason Miller caused some nervous for A's fans, allowing two baserunners in the 9th with 1 out, but managed to get himself out of that situation.
W: B. Basso (1-0)
L: E. Morgan (0-1)
SV: M. Miller (1)
Record: 3-1

Other League Headlines:
Andrew McCutchen hits his 300th career HR
Julio Rodriguez out injured 4-5 weeks
Jackson Holliday hits 2 hrs in his first 3 MLB games
Oakland sits at 24 in first power rankings of the year

[rhaums]

Weekly Recap (April 8 2024):
April 1 - BOS 7 @ OAK 1
Ross Stripling continues the A's run of bad starting pitching, having to be lifted in the 3rd inning after 5 ER.
W: K. Crawford (1-0)
L: R. Stripling (0-1)
Record: 1-4

April 2 - BOS 1 @ OAK 2
Stephen Piscotty (1-3, HR) and Tyler Nevin (2-4, RBI) are the heroes of the A's as they get their second win of 2024. JP Sears goes 5 innings of 1 run ball, but is lifted before Oakland can get themselves a lead.
W: B. Basso (2-0)
L: J. Winckowski (0-1)
SV: Mason Miller (2)
Record: 2-4

April 3 - BOS 2 @ OAK 1
Oakland yet again run into a pitcher who's far too good for their weak lineup. While not credited with the win, Brayan Bello went 6.2 innings, only allowing 1 ER. Alex Wood has another good start by metrics, with a 59 Gamescore, going 5 IP, with 5 hits, 1 ER and 1 walk and 7 strikeouts. With his FIP at 1.90, Oakland will be hoping his ERA of 4.66 starts coming down.
W: B. Bernadino (1-0)
L: B. Basso (2-1)
SV: K. Jansen (1)
Record: 2-5

TRANSACTION:
Oakland optioned RHP Joe Boyle to Triple A Las Vegas, LHP Sean Newcomb activated off IL.

April 5 - OAK 0 @ DET 4
Oakland's first away game of the season, and despite a quality start from Mitch Spence, he picks up his second loss of the season, with no run support from his team.
W: A. Faedo (1-0)
L: M. Spence (0-2)
Record: 2-6

April 6 - OAK 5 @ DET 6 (10)
Oakland has heartbreak in extra innings. Despite another strong outing from Paul Blackburn, a blown save from Austin Adams meant the teams finished the 9th with the scores locked. Oakland got excited as Ryan Noda went yard for 2 runs to put them up 5-3. This however was not to last, as the Tigers scored three in the bottom to walk it off.
W: A. Lange (1-0)
L: B. Basso (2-2)
Record: 2-7

April 7 - OAK 1 @ DET 7
Detroit scored early and often against Oakland in the series finisher. Stripling didn't make it through the 4th and the runs kept bleeding. Gelof hit his second HR of the season, but that's about the only highlight for Oakland tonight.
W: C. Mize (1-0)
L: R. Stripling (0-2)
SV: J.Flahrety (1)

With the worst lineup in the AL, and a weak pitching unit, it's very clear that this is a long term project here in Oakland. They moved down to 30th in the power rankings this week.

Other News:
Alex Bregman signs a 6 year, 196 mil extension with Houston.

Current Standings:

[luckymann]

As a fellow Aussie and - at least if / until they leave Oakland, at which point they are dead to me - A's fan, I shall be following along eagerly.

Good luck!

G

[rhaums]

Originally Posted by luckymann

As a fellow Aussie and - at least if / until they leave Oakland, at which point they are dead to me - A's fan, I shall be following along eagerly.

Good luck!

G

Thanks! Hopefully we can get things turned around soon.

[rhaums]

I've done a couple of sims with the JPBO and not entirely happy with the rate of how often players are coming across, so thinking i will restart with just MLB in the next couple of days (my apologies)

[Pelican]

I admire you taking on this challenge within the existing limitations of roster and finances. As a "what if", I gave the A's considerably more cash to spend on free agents (Snell, Kershaw, Montgomery), and made some trades to improve the position players. And signed Bellinger. In the early going, that team is around .500. A quick fix, but also proof that some investment will produce immediate dividends. In the long run, that money would be better spent on scouting and player development.