Relievers target of A’s (and others)
The A’s arrived at 97win seasons in 2018 and 2019 by a similar road. In 2018, they compiled a .646 winning percentage after the AllStar break, highest among teams that made the playoffs. In 2019, that mark was .657, tied for second highest.
After the last game before this year’s break, manager Bob Melvin was asked what has allowed for Oakland’s secondhalf success.
“Well, you kind of see the
finish line a little bit,” Melvin said. “And also our front office is pretty good about adding some players in areas they think are deficient. Now, whether it’s small moves or whether it’s big moves, we’ve been pretty consistent in doing something. So adding to (the roster) and understanding where you need some help, Billy (Beane) and David (Forst) are pretty good at that.”
At 12 games above. 500, despite a recent lull, the A’s would appear in position to try to bolster their team in coming weeks for another secondhalf run.
One area that can definitely use help is the bullpen. Any hope the A’s held out for closer Trevor Rosenthal providing a boost down the stretch was extinguished when Rosenthal had seasonending hip surgery. Lou Trivino has excelled as the de facto closer, Yusmeiro Petit and Jake Diekman have navigated hiccups and Sergio Romo has pitched well since midMay. But depth is an issue.
Closers who could be available include the Cubs’ Craig Kimbrel, the Pirates’ Richard Rodriguez or the Rangers’ Ian Kennedy. Ever a question with the A’s and potential bigname additions is cost — Kimbrel, for one, would be owed more than $5 million after the trade deadline — and while they might entice a trading partner to kick in cash for prospect capital, their minorleague system is not highly regarded, at least by thirdparty evaluators (though their topend prospects would surely be attractive if made available).
As Melvin noted, the A’s could look for more subtle additions. Setup help would be welcome, as would another lefthander to back Diekman. Of course, most contenders will seek bullpen reinforcement, which could make someone like Twins lefthander Taylor Rogers, an AL AllStar team replacement, a popular name. Forst, Oakland’s general manager, discussed the challenge of adding relief via trade on a recent teamaffiliated A’s Cast podcast.
“Whenever you’re a team that’s in it, the easiest place to add is in the bullpen, typically, just from a roster standpoint,” Forst said. “But if everybody’s going after the same guys, then the sellers are in a good spot. That’s why it usually takes some time to flesh out, because the sellers are going to shoot high — when they’re asking for prospects back or whatever, they’re going to shoot high and it’s going to take some time … until they get the deal they want.”
Forst, on A’s Cast in early July, described the A’s as “inconsistent right now, and I think some of it is our depth is showing.” He noted that losing outfielder and leadoff hitter Mark Canha to a hip injury “has kind of dug into our offense a little bit, and I think we’re out there talking about both bats and some arms hopefully at the trade deadline.”
If the A’s pursue a bat, an outfielderdesignated hitter type would appear a fit. Oakland’s .690 OPS from the DH spot ranks third lowest among AL teams. The A’s hope to have Canha back soon after the break, but with Ramón Laureano and Canha missing stretches, the corner outfield spots didn’t produce much, either. A’s right fielders have a combined .648 OPS (26th in the majors) and their left fielders a .653 OPS (29th). Their .604 OPS at shortstop is 28th but possibly less a concern as Elvis Andrus has slashed .273/.315/.410 since the beginning of June after an icecold start.
If last year is an indication, the A’s will not act on impending free agents until after the season. But there will be decisions there, too, most notably with Canha hitting free agency for the first time, having become a top onbase player in recent seasons. Diekman, Petit and Romo will also be free agents, which could herald another offseason of bullpen turnover.