MLB team reports:
Indepth looks at the Athletics, the Indians and the Rays.
Five issues facing the Athletics:
Ready for prime time?
Prized lefty pitching prospect Jesus Luzardo was a candidate to make the rotation out of spring training in 2019, but shoulder injuries derailed his season. He didn’t make his major league debut until September. He pitched well in six relief appearances, then tossed three scoreless innings in Oakland’s wild-card loss. Now healthy, Luzardo will get every chance to earn a spot in the starting rotation.
Shaky bullpen:
Oakland did little to address a relief corps that struggled at times last season beyond its top two arms. Liam Hendriks won the closer job and emerged as an All-Star. Yusmeiro Petit was good in the late-innings setup role.
Beyond them are question marks. Former closer Blake Treinen took a huge step backward after a dominant 2018 season, and the A’s let him leave in free agency. Without many other reliable arms and without a notable acquisition before spring training, the bullpen could again be a glaring weakness for the A’s.
Bounce-back potential:
After three consecutive seasons with at least 40 home runs and 100 RBI, including 48 and 123 in 2018, slugger Khris Davis slipped to 23 and 73 last year with career worsts in batting average, on-base percentage, slugging percentage and OPS.
Oakland’s offense was stout last season despite Davis’ struggles and was the driving force behind a 97-win campaign. Davis returning to 2016-18 form, even with a mediocre average, could give the A’s the type of lineup to compete with the Astros in the AL West.
Whistle-blower response:
Former Astros pitcher Mike Fiers was at the center of controversy over the offseason as the whistle-blower who revealed Houston’s sign-stealing scheme that eventually led to the firings of three managers and a general manager.
What will Fiers’ reception be in parks around the league? And how will opposing players receive him? It’s safe to asProfar sume he won’t get a warm welcome in Houston.
Who’s on second?
Jurickson Profar was solid at the plate but underwhelming in the field in 2019, leading the A’s to cut bait after one season and trade
OFFSEASON OUTLOOK
The Athletics have long worked the fringes to fill out the roster, and it appears they’ll have to do the same if they want to fill holes at second and in the bullpen via free agency. Any move will be a low-key one at this stage of the winter.
2019 record
97-65
Second place, AL West; lost to Rays in wild-card round
to the Padres. His departure leaves a void at second base with some decent options to fill it.
Franklin Barreto, 23, and Jorge Mateo, 24, figure to be two top candidates for the
job, especially given both are out of minor league options. Sheldon Neuse, 25, will also likely compete for the starting spot in spring training. None have torn up the majors, but all are young enough to continue improving.