Could Oakland turn to free-agent market?
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. — Trades are the real lifeblood when it comes to A’s player acquisitions, but that doesn’t mean that the team will rule out the free-agent market when it comes to adding to their roster.
The team already did so in acquiring Yusmiero Petit for the bullpen, and there are a few left-handed relievers who might pique Oakland’s interest, particularly Tony Watson. Agent Scott Boras, who represents Watson, has been in touch with the A’s during the winter meetings this week.
The list of right-handedhitting corner outfielders is not deep, mostly older players, and the A’s are ideally looking for a young outfielder with good cost control, which is why St. Louis’ Stephen Piscotty is their top target.
In the event Oakland can’t swing a deal for an outfielder, could someone such as Cameron Maybin, Austin Jackson or Eduardo Nuñez, all 30, be a potential fit? At the right price, maybe. Older possibilities such Howie Kendrick, 34, and Jayson Werth, 38, might be long shots, and none of the available right-handed-hitting corner outfielders available is a real power bat, though Werth hit 21 homers in 2016. Boras also represents Werth.
“We’re kind of specific in who and what we want,” vice president of baseball operations Billy Beane said. “There are a few free agents we’re interested in.”
Said general manager David Forst: “The main things we’ve talked about are relievers, specifically left-handed, and an outfielder, and the freeagent market is definitely an option. For both those things, trades and free-agent conversations are ongoing.”
Not an item on the A’s wish list: a catcher. Forst reiterated that Bruce Maxwell remains the team’s primary catcher despite his legal issues; Maxwell is facing charges of assault in Scottsdale, Ariz., stemming from allegations that he waved a gun at a fast-food delivery person in October.
Maxwell has a pretrial conference Dec. 28; no trial would be scheduled until early 2018, but a person familiar with the case told The Chronicle that he believes the case will end in a plea deal before spring training begins and said that Maxwell is not expected to serve any jail time.
“We’re expecting Bruce to ready to go the first day of spring training and to be with us,” Forst said. “I’m not getting involved in the legal side of this, but no one has said anything to me that makes me believe he won’t be ready to go.”
Forst pointed out that the A’s have two other catchers, Dustin Garneau and Josh Phegley, on the big-league roster.
A’s manager Bob Melvin said that he has been in touch with Maxwell.
“I have texted with him a little bit. You know, the process is still playing out,” Melvin said, adding that he can’t speculate about a timeline. “Hopefully, we can get past this, and he moves on and comes to spring training with this behind him, but I’m not sure that’s going to be the case. Just trying to do the best he can to stay positive. It’s an unfortunate incident, and he made a mistake. Hopefully, he can get past that.” Briefly: Forst said center fielder Dustin Fowler, recovering from knee surgery, is expected to be ready to go for spring training . ... Pitching prospect James Kaprielian is expected to be throwing off the mound in March and could be pitching in games by May . ... Forst expects Andrew Triggs, coming back from hip surgery, to be an option as a starter.