San Francisco Chronicle - (Sunday)
UNIT BREAKDOWNS
Lineup
Even without Matt Olson for six weeks and Stephen Piscotty for much of the second half, and despite Khris Davis’ injuryrelated funk most of the season, the A’s won 97 games last year and set franchise records with 257 homers and 572 extrabase hits. With everyone back and healthy, Oakland is capable of doing damage. But the team needs to diversify: The A’s were 9035 when homering and 730 when they didn’t go deep. Small ball isn’t in the team’s nature: Olson had all five of the A’s bunt hits last year.
Rotation
This is a formidable unit, with Frankie Montas coming into his own last year — he was a likely AllStar pick before he was suspended for testing positive for a banned substance — and Sean Manaea proving he could return to top form after shoulder surgery. Jesús Luzardo and A.J. Puk appear to be stars in the making if they can stay healthy, and Mike Fiers is steady and durable. Chris Bassitt can handle any role.
Bullpen
Things didn’t go as planned with Oakland’s relief corps last year, with Blake Treinen and
Lou Trivino struggling much of the way. But Liam Hendriks assumed the closer spot, made the AllStar team and saved a majorleague high 25 games from June 22 on. Yusmeiro Petit turned in his usual solid work, working in a leaguehigh 80 games and walking just 10 in 83 innings; opponents’ OBP was just .218. Midseason addition Jake Diekman is back as the primary lefty, and the A’s added T.J. McFarland to go along with him; Joakim Soria is available for setup work. Watch for Burch Smith, acquired from the Giants during the spring, to get an opportunity.
Bench
To start the season, teams may employ a 30man roster for 15 days, so the A’s might choose to carry all three young catchers. Chad Pinder and Mark Canha are versatile players who will make a lot of starts, so Vimael Machin, a Rule 5 draftee, will get a chance to learn from two of the better jackofalltrade types around. Franklin Barreto and Machin are potential pinch runners in extra innings.
Susan Slusser covers the A’s for The San Francisco Chronicle. Email: sslusser@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @susanslusser