A’s ponder making roster additions

MESA, Ariz. — Even as Oakland’s spring camp gets under way, with pitchers and catchers reporting and holding their first workout Wednesday, the team continues to explore potential acquisitions.

Oakland had some talks with freeagent second baseman Jason Kipnis before Kipnis signed with the Cubs on Tuesday, and as The

Chronicle reported in December, the team also has discussed attempting to acquire Jed Lowrie for the third time if the Mets pick up some, or most, of his contract.

The A’s checked with catcher Russell Martin during the offseason and though Martin isn’t expected to decide soon, he might strike a deal with a team at some point during the spring. Oakland waited until midMarch to sign Jonathan Lucroy; Lucroy, the A’s primary catcher during their 2018 wildcard season, also remains available and has had conversations with a few teams, according to sources. The A’s might make sense for Lucroy, who was popular with his teammates and the coaching staff.

One AL scout said Monday that he believes the one thing the A’s currently lack is a veteran leader, something any of the above could provide. “But even without adding an experienced position player or starting pitcher, I think Oakland is the team to watch out for in that division,” the scout said.

Martin, 36, hit .220 with a .337 onbase percentage and six homers in 209 atbats with the Dodgers last year and he put up a 0.8 WAR; with 14 bigleague seasons, four AllStar appearances and a Gold Glove to his credit, he, like Lucroy, certainly could fill the mentor role to young catchers Sean Murphy, Jonah Heim and Austin Allen.