May the defense rest...

In typical A’s tradition I’m going a little unconventional.

As many see the A’s top needs:

1. Starting Pitcher 1
2. Starting Pitcher 2
3. Starting Catcher
4. Settle the Second Base Situation
5. Second lefty reliever
6. Wait until Spring Training to assess starting pitching situation and if needed pick up starter like last season

Money available to spend: $20 million; $25 million tops

Context for my moves:

I don’t think A’s should go all in for playoff birth. Obviously sign enough to give a chance but leave a little magic to put them over the top and keep eye on 2020-23 WS Run. Call it the Matt Chapman era.

I’m thinking long term and the A’s need as many young controllable better than average regulars as possible. It’s a prerequisite for World Series contention. Don’t jeopardize the future which means as few top prospect trades as possible. Contrary to the AN consensus A’s have a middle of the pack minor league system. I’d waive this condition if there is a Piscotty type player who bats lefty to be had.

I’ll deal with second base situation first because like many stated all other moves depend on whether or not A’s sign Lowrie. Barreto is one of the possible everyday player No one can say the A’s handled Barreto development well in 2018 with stretches of languishing on A’s bench A’s need everything to go right to become true future World Series contenders one of those is Barreto proving worthy of being the long term second baseman. Let’s find out. I say sink or swim.

That means no Lowrie but also means enough money to address the A’s other needs.

On to starting pitchers.

Clay Buckholz - 1 year $6/7 million let’s say $6.5 million

Matt Harvey - 1 year $6.5 million

Probably best going with starter with healthiest track record (Sanchez?) but those are the 2 I like best. Not sure why but Harvey since last trade deadline has always been a top choice of mine.

Now bring on the defense...

Best defensive catcher available is Martin Maldonado according to sportrac.com is worth $4 million. Clearly a hole in the lineup but we survived Lucroy’s anemic bat and overrated defense.

Maldonado 1 year $4 million

I think Phegley is underrated. His track record admittedly SSS and possibly fluky is A’s winning when he starts. I don’t have pitching ERA stats when he starts but my recollection is it’s pretty darn good.

Essentially 2 backup catchers. Has that ever worked? Will Sean Murphy be ready by all star game. It be nice.

That’s $17 million spent.

Now my most controversial move which I’m sure for most if not all is laugh out loud worthy.

In the let’s go defensive mode...drum roll please...

Billy Hamilton 1 year $7 million.

He’s even a better defender than Laureano which means he’s really really really good. Some will point out we have our long term CF in Laureano but I think the verdict is still out (.388 BAPIP). I think his floor is stellar 4th outfielder which is a very valuable commodity. Although I admit he gives off that star vibe.

Hamilton’s lefty stat line is still super anemic but better than his righty super duper anemic stat line. Give him 350-400 AB’s and bat him 9th as secondary lead off man. Don’t tell him the plan because he might not sign. With his defense and speed when not starting his contribution as defensive replacement and pinch base runner will be super valuable for late inning situations. Pinch hitting for him most times late means most games only 3 AB’s. Laureano would move to LF when Hamilton used as defensive replacement. It would mean any ball hit to left will NEVER result in anyone taking an extra base. Bonus means the A’s can consider fly ball pitchers instead of focusing solely on ground ball starting pitchers.

Final 25 man roster (+ Manaea) Payroll: $89 million.

My contention is the stellar team defense with better than average to great defense in all positions beside 2B and RF and possibly SS will make up for most of lost offense. Semien plays up because of Chapman’s ridiculous range and Olson’s otherworldly scooping and large wingspan. It’s possible if some improve on this years production A’s could score as many runs in 2019.

That being said if any lineup is worthy of opposing team going opener pitching strategy its the A’s lineup.

Starting Pitcher:

Buckholz

Harvey

Mentgen (under rated)

Spring Training pickup (Jackson)

Montas/Bassitt/???

Luzardo eventually #2 starter if not on opening day.

Pen:

Treinen

Trevino

Rodney (boy A’s could have used that extra 5 million)

Buchter

Petit

Wendelken (I think he has stud potential; just me?)

Dull/Pagan (please no late inning setup situations ever!)

Bassitt/Montas (out of options long man)

Lineup:

Laureano LF

Chapman 3B

Piscotty RF

Davis DH (Mr. .247 40+ HR)

Olson 1B

Semien SS

Barreto 2B

Maldonado C

Hamilton CF

Bench:

Phegley C

Canha (OF, emergency 1B)

Pinder OF/2B (RF defensive replacement?)

A’s like to go unconventional and this foots the bill.

90 wins used to almost guaranteed wild card spot. With half of AL in rebuild mode it could take 93 wins. This roster could do it. Enough for me in what I still think is rebuild mode.

Side note: A’s magical 97 win season masked potentially one of the biggest blows in A’s history - Puk going down with major injury. If Puk or Maneae started the Wild Card game it could have been a much better story.

Thanks for indulging my 1000 word post.

Go A’s!