Team breaks camp after 6 weeks of bonding
MESA, Ariz. — After two last-place seasons in which the A’s thought there were some divisive clubhouse elements, the team was careful to bring in well-regarded players with leadership qualities.
And after six weeks together, the A’s have what appears to be strong camaraderie and maybe even that ever-elusive concept, good team chemistry.
“I’ve really been happy with how spring’s gone,” manager Bob Melvin said. “The effort level, the team coming together, the dynamic in the clubhouse, guys pulling for each other . ... Guys understand how we do things here and understand it takes all of us to succeed. They’ve been very supportive of each other.
“It’s been one of the better camps I’ve been a part of. Everything we’ve asked of them has been really, really good.”
New third baseman Trevor Plouffe, already cited as a team leader, said, “I thought we gelled together as a team. ... I’ve tried to pass along all spring ‘a rising tide raises all ships.’ Let’s focus on team first and the stats and the personal stuff takes care of itself.”
Another new player, right fielder Matt Joyce, also is enthusiastic about the A’s state of mind going into the season.
“I really like where we’re at,” Joyce said. “This group of guys has just been phenomenal. The kind of character and attitude we have — you couldn’t ask for anything better. And I’ve played on teams that had a tremendous amount of talent and were predicted to win the World Series and had bad attitudes, and we didn’t even make the playoffs.
“I think this team can go as far as they want to go. It’s all about keeping the right mindset, keeping the gas pedal pushed down, creating that confidence and belief that we can do it. It will be an exciting season. I’m looking forward to it. It should be memorable.”
Another plus: Oakland got through the Cactus League season with relatively good health. Sonny Gray will be out until late April with a lat strain, and Plouffe and Khris Davis have missed several days with minor quad issues but they will play in the Bay Bridge Series.
Fifth outfielder Jake Smolinski, however, needed shoulder surgery that probably will end his season. Briefly: Starter Kendall Graveman was moved to an intrasquad game at the A’s minorleague facility because he was under the weather Tuesday and the team is able control the environment better at minor-league camp . ... Center fielder Rajai Davis was a late scratch because of “logistical issues.” (Not uncommon on the last day of the spring as players scramble to get themselves and their families ready to go.) ... Gray is traveling with the team to the Bay Area rather than staying in Arizona for extended spring training. He’s throwing out to a distance of 120 feet. … Second baseman Joey Wendle is staying for extending spring training and said he is getting a cortisone shot for his sore right shoulder this week.