Melvin: Beane, A’s continuity to go on
“I think one of the reasons our organization has been successful, with as much turnover as we have playerwise, is the continuity with the guys who are in charge.”
Bob Melvin, A’s manager
A’s manager Bob Melvin harbors concerns about the number of free agents the team might lose this winter, but he’s no longer quite so worried that Oakland will lose much of its executive suite.
Melvin indicated on a video call with reporters Thursday that executive vice president Billy Beane, general manager David Forst and assistant GM Billy Owens all will be back for next season, which matched what sources have told The Chronicle.
“I think one of the reasons our organization has been successful, with as much turnover as we have playerwise, is the continuity with the guys who are in charge, that’s really ruled the day here,” Melvin said. “It looked like at the beginning of the offseason that there might be several in that group not here. At this point, it looks like everyone will be back.”
Had MLB approved a merger between Beane’s RedBall investment project and Red Sox owner John Henry’s Fenway Sports Group, Beane was expected to step away from the A’s to focus on European soccer and other potential acquisitions. But that deal has yet to go through, so Beane is likely to remain at the A’s helm through 2021.
“At some point, he’s going to do something bigger and better,” Melvin said. “He’s pretty wellversed in other sports and in the business world, as well.”
Forst was considered for the top baseball spot with the Mets after Steve Cohen purchased the team and brought in former A’s GM Sandy Alderson, who spent the past two seasons as a special adviser in Oakland’s front office. The Mets also had Owens on the short list for
their GM job before hiring Jared Porter; Melvin hopes that Owens gets a GM spot somewhere, saying, “You always want to see guys move up.”
Even if a frontoffice shakeup is on hold for now, the team’s 2021 roster is a major unknown. The A’s could lose four relievers, both starting middle infielders and their lefthanded hitting left fielder among their 10 free agents, with shortstop Marcus Semien and closer Liam Hendriks leading the pack.
“It’s just kind of the point we’re at right now,” Melvin said. ‘ The good news is: We still have a core group of guys who we feel great about and some of our younger pitching is probably going to have to step up. We still have to see how the market plays out, it may be awhile before we see that and maybe there are some interesting pickups maybe a little later on.
“It’s not ideal. We’ve had some great contributions from some of ( those) free agents. But it’s not unlike us to have to turn some things over from time to time.”
Melvin reiterated what Forst said last week: Lefty Jake Diekman is the top candidate to replace Hendriks as closer. If the bullpen also loses Yusmeiro Petit, Joakim Soria and T. J. McFarland, Melvin said the A’s will need players from within the system to flesh things out — with starters perhaps used to fill bullpen roles. Grant Holmes, James Kaprielian and Daulton Jefferies are among the possibilities for such a role change.
“That’s an area of concern,” Melvin said, “but every year, David and Billy are really good at picking up relievers.”
Melvin said he thinks the A’s will be OK at second base if they do not resign Tommy La Stella, but Semien would be a major loss. “Shortstop is probably the biggest hole if Marcus isn’t back,” Melvin said.
Melvin said he heard from third baseman Matt Chapman, who had hip surgery in September, as soon as doctors cleared Chapman for next season and expects him to be a full go for spring training. Melvin said lefthander A. J. Puk, who is coming off shoulder surgery, is still seen as a starter but he could be a consideration for the bullpen.
Melvin, who guided the A’s through a turbulent, coronavirus shaken 60game schedule to reach the playoffs for a third straight year, said he would be comfortable receiving a vaccine when MLB makes them available.
He is aware, like everyone in baseball, of chatter about the 2021 season again being pushed back or shortened.
“I think both sides in a perfect world would like to play 162 and would like to start on time in the middle of February when pitchers and catchers report,” he said. “Everybody wants to get in 162 and everybody at this point is preparing for 162.”