Semien’s $13M deal tells of his future in Oakland?
Speculation surrounded Marcus Semien’s future with the A’s. Would the organization take the extension plunge? At the peak of his career (so far), was a trade on the horizon? Or, in the final year of arbitration eligibility, would the 29-yearold shortstop demand and settle for a hefty oneyear contract?
The first two options seemed unlikely — hefty extensions may be on the table once a new ballpark is underway and a trade would destabilize this highly anticipated window’s foundation. So, the A’s settled on a $13 million contract with Semien for the 2020 season.
The A’s settled with all seven of their arbitration eligible players, too; Mark Canha, Sean Manaea, Robbie Grossman, Chad Pinder, Liam Hendriks and Chris Bassitt will return on one-year deals.
MLBTradeRumors.com predicted back in October that Semien might demand $13.5 million — an eye-popping payday that more than doubled his 2019 salary ($5.9 million) and seemed imminent from the final out of the A’s early postseason departure.
His 2019 performance justified a significant raise. Semien played all 162 games and finished third in American League MVP voting after putting up consistently high numbers, including 33 home runs, a 137 wRC+ and an 8.1 WAR (fourth highest in baseball).
In theory, an arbitration agreement this year keeps alive the potential for an
extension, ala Khris Davis’ twoyear, $33.5 million agreement in 2019. The A’s could leverage the arbitration settlement with Semien into discussions to keep the Bay Area native at home well into his 30s.
A player of Semien’s caliber (after his 2019 campaign, particularly) might demand an eightto nine-figure, long-term extension.
But, A’s executive vice president Billy Beane and general manager David Forst made clear their budget will unlikely increase significantly until, in essence, shovels for a new ballpark are in the ground (in other words, that new revenue streams are plugging in to fund these viable investments). This might make a hefty extension at this juncture less likely.
“All the things we’re doing parallel what goes on with the stadium, and when we can start planning on that happening,” Beane said at the winter meetings. “Until we know that’s going to happen, we have to stay relatively nimble.”
If extension terms can’t be settled, it’s entirely possible the A’s close the extension window and Semien hits the free-agent market next offseason. If Semien can recreate or top his 2019 season, that may not be the worst path forward for either side. The question might be: Does Semien want the security of what A’s will offer now — to stay home well into his 30s — or can he bank on reproducing his 2019 and leverage that into some buzz on the open market?
Bottom line: Semien will be an Athletic in this very important 2020 season — a little offseason remains to see where the organization envisions him beyond that.
The A’s also came to terms with a bevy of young talent. The Chronicle is reporting that outfielder and first baseman Canha agreed to a $4.9 million contract in his second year of arbitration eligibility. Canha had a standout year and, after moving into a full-time role, became one of the best hitters in baseball. He had a 4.5 WAR with a stunning 146 wRC+ — STEAMER projects a 115 wRC+ in 2020.
Left-handed starter Manaea will get $3.75 million in his second year of arbitration, bumped up from the $3.15 million he made in 2019. Wild-card blip aside, Manaea came back strong following shoulder injury, posting a 1.21 ERA in five games.
Outfielder Grossman settled for $3.725 million in his third year of arbitration, up significantly from the $2 million he made last season. The bump is well earned. Grossman was quietly one of the most efficient outfielders in the game, earning him a Gold Glove nomination and consistently stellar defensive metrics on the SABR Defensive Index.
Utility man Pinder, who was projected to earn $1.8 million, will get a bumped $2.025 million in his first year of arbitration.
Hendriks’ salary will more than double, rightfully. Hendriks filled in for Blake Treinen as the closer in 2019 and casually put up league-leading numbers — a 1.80 ERA with 25 saves. He will get $5.3 million in his fourth and final year of arbitration, up from $2.1 million he made in 2019.
Bassitt, who was a valuable starter and reliever for last season, will return for $2.25 million in his first year of arbitration.