Chapman, five others agree to contracts
After some haggling, the A’s came to an agreement on new deals with Matt Chapman and five other arbitration-eligible players just before Friday’s deadline to avoid arbitration.
The A’s, though, hadn’t done any negotiating with Liam Hendriks, who admitted Friday he was disappointed Oakland made no attempt to keep him from leaving via free agency.
While being introduced as the new $54 million closer for the White Sox, Hendriks wasn’t afraid to share his experience in this strange free agency market.
“I was hoping that (the A’s) would have reached out, but unfortunately they never reached out beyond saying congratulations on the Reliever of the Year (award) and stuff like that,” Hendriks said to reporters. “I’ve always shown the loyalty to
you guys, reach out, you’re going to get the last say, but they never reached out as much or at all.”
“It sucks because I love the organization, I love the group of guys in that community,” Hendriks said. “That clubhouse is one of the best clubhouses I’ve ever been in. Everyone rags on each other all the time. Everyone makes fun of each other and it’s just a family in there. I’m still part of the group text that’s been there. That’s been healthy the last couple of days no matter what’s going on. They were a consideration but unfortunately they didn’t really reach out too much.”
Hendriks posted a heartfelt thank you note to A’s fans along with a video on Instagram on Thursday night, thanking his coaches, bullpen mates and “bleacher creatures.”
“I can’t begin to thank you all for the support and love you have shown me and my family over the past 5 years,” the note read. “We are forever grateful to have this experience with you.
“I learned so much from every single one of you and I will be forever grateful. Also: thank you for putting up with my Aussie attitude from time to time ...”
With Hendriks out of their price range, the A’s focused on getting their cost-controlled players under contract.
Chapman, the A’s star third baseman, got a significant raise in his first year of arbitration. The Platinum Glove third baseman signed a one-year deal worth $6.49 million.
Chapman joins the five other A’s players who signed one year deals on Friday’s deadline to avoid arbitration. Among them, outfielder Mark Canha, in his final year of arbitration, signed for $6.925 million deal. Canha has emerged as one of the A’s best hitters, batting .265 with a .846 OPS over the 2019 and 2020 seasons.
Left-handed starter Sean Manaea signed for $5.95 million in his third year of arbitration eligibility. Manaea struggled in the truncated 2020 season, posting a 4.50 ERA that he couldn’t knock down in the 60-game span. But he earned a nice raise, up from the $3.75 million he earned in his second year of arbitration.
After a career year in 2020, right-handed pitcher Chris Bassitt will earn $4.9 million in his second year of arbitration. The A’s could be getting a bargain with Frankie Montas, who signed for $1.8 million in his first year of arbitration. Montas struggled with injuries in 2020 and couldn’t quite take off, but has potential to be one of the A’s most dominant starters.
Lou Trivino, who is on the table to close or pitch in some high-leverage situations for the A’s next year, signed for $912,500.
Despite a tumultuous year and slow off season with few moves thus far, the A’s managed to avoid arbitration with all their eligible players. Chad Pinder, Tony Kemp, Matt Olson and Burch Smith agreed to terms in December almost immediately after being tendered contracts.
“It’s always nice to clear the books and don’t have any cases to muddy the waters for the spring, so it was great to get them all done,” A’s assistant GM Dan Feinstein said in a call with reporters.
The A’s also announced the signing of 12 international prospects Friday, led by Pedro Pineda, a 17-yearold outfielder from the Dominican Republic who’s ranked as the No. 13 international prospect in MLB Pipeline.
“He’s a true five-tool player who we had pegged early on in this process as the premier player in the class,” Feinstein said in a video conference with reporters.
“He’s big, strong, physical with speed and power, plays a really good center field. He’s got a rifle for an arm. It’s fun to watch him play baseball.”