Over the next 30 days, I will look at one team per day from the MLB and give an overview for their 2015 season outlook. These next 30 days will bring us to March 31, only five days before the season officially begins.
Team Overview: 2015 Oakland Athletics
The first team I’m going to analyze is the Oakland Athletics. For the last few seasons General Manager Billy Beane has utilized his ‘Moneyball’ philosophy to make the Athletics a competitive team. First place finishes in 2012 and 2013 and a second place finish in 2014 are evidence of this. This off-season though, Beane had even the most dedicated fans scratching their heads over what he was trying to accomplish.
Roster Moves
He’s Here: DH Billy Butler, P Tyler Clippard, 1B Ike Davis, P Eury de la Rosa, P Kendall Graveman, P Jesse Hahn, 3B Brett Lawrie, P Sean Nolin, C Josh Phegley, SS Marcus Semien, 2B Ben Zobrist
Non-Roster Invitees with chance to make roster: P Brad Mills
He’s Gone: 1B Daric Barton, OF Kyle Blanks, 3B Alberto Callaspo, 3B Josh Donaldson, DH Adam Dunn, SS Yunel Escobar, OF Jonny Gomes, P Luke Gregerson, P Jason Hammel, C John Jaso, P Jon Lester, P Josh Lindblom, SS Jed Lowrie, 1B Brandon Moss, C Derek Norris, INF Nick Punto, P Jeff Samardzija, C Geovany Soto
Beane’s Surprises
It’s clear the Athletics lost more talent than they acquired over the length of the off-season, and many trades surprised, and even angered, fans. Oakland lost their starting catcher, first baseman, third baseman, three starting pitchers and a reliable reliever. Derek Norris, Josh Donaldson, and Brandon Moss were all All-Stars last season, along with trade deadline “participant” Yoenis Cespedes, who went from Oakland to Boston. Both players Oakland received in that trade- Jonny Gomes and Jon Lester- left as free agents this off-season, to the Braves and Cubs, respectively. Luke Gregerson received a hefty $18.5 million, three-year contract with the Astros, Jason Hammel signed a deal with the Cubs (he will join forces with Lester in an improved Chicago rotation), Jed Lowrie returned to the Astros, Derek Norris was traded to San Diego, Jeff Samardzija got traded to the White Sox, and Brandon Moss was traded to the Indians. But the biggest deal for the A’s this offseason was trading star third baseman, Josh Donaldson to the Toronto Blue Jays, a move that perplexed Athletics outfielder Josh Reddick.
Perhaps the most hope of the off-season came in the A’s-Rays deal on January 10, 2015, when Beane swung catcher John Jaso and prospects Daniel Robertson and Boog Powell (no relation to THE Boog Powell) for shortstop Yunel Escobar and utility man Ben Zobrist, who was on the trading block due to his pending free agency after the 2015 season. This gave Oakland a solid middle infield that had played together in Tampa for two years. Beane didn’t see this happening though, as on January 14 he sent Escobar packing to Washington for a valued reliever in Tyler Clippard. This was the second time Escobar had been traded twice in an off-season, following his 2012 Blue Jays to Marlins to Rays trades in November. Marcus Semien, acquired in the Samardzija deal, is now viewed as the starting shortstop.
Team Outline
The lineup below is how the team figures to look in the field to start the season. (red indicates a new acquistion)
C: Josh Phegley
1B: Ike Davis
2B: Ben Zobrist
3B: Brett Lawrie
SS: Marcus Semien
LF: Craig Gentry
CF: Coco Crisp
RF: Josh Reddick
DH: Billy Butler
As evidenced by the predictions, only the three outfielders are returning from last season’s team. Otherwise, the team has quite a few new faces that may struggle to produce runs, with Zobrist being the most consistent hitter and the power coming from Reddick and Butler. This team is built on speed, with Semien, Crisp and Gentry in the line-up and Sam Fuld coming off the bench.
- Scott Kazmir
- Sonny Gray
- Jarrod Parker
- A.J. Griffin
- Jesse Hahn
The rotation features 2014 All-Star Scott Kazmir, followed by young guns in Gray, Parker, Griffin, and Hahn. Hahn doesn’t have a sport guaranteed in the rotation as of now, but with a solid Spring, he should be able to earn the trust of manager Bob Melvin. Another good season from Kazmir and solid seasons from Gray and Parker will help the Athletics’ chances this year.
Bottom Line
The Athletics aren’t going to be as good as they have been for the last three to four seasons. Big seasons from their veteran hitters will certainly aid in run scoring, and if Ike Davis and Marcus Semien can prove they can hit and produce in a new environment, the line-up will be solid. The rotation should provide stability and wins for a team that will have a tough time competing with the Angels and improved Mariners in the American League West. Even with the leadership of manager Bob Melvin, the A’s will most likely finish in 4th place, somewhere around 80 to 83 wins.
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Main Photo by Elaine Thompson
