Pitchers and catchers have reported and it’s finally beginning to feel like baseball season. The A’s checked off most of their offseason wish-list, trading for a starting-caliber second baseman (Jeff McNeil), signing a veteran starting pitcher (Aaron Civale just yesterday), and a couple low-end middle relievers (Mark Leiter Jr. and Scott Barlow).
Better than all those moves combined for me though is the recent extensions the club has secured with Tyler Soderstrom and Jacob Wilson, locking them in as core players for years to come. And those two extensions are on top of the ones given to Lawrence Butler and Brent Rooker. The A’s are finally trying to keep their players.
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But was all that enough for the A’s to possibly contend for a Wild Card spot? The team was never going to play in the deep-end of the free agent pool but they probably could have spent more than what they have. The front office added plenty of depth arms to the organization’s relief cupboard but the team is more or less bringing back the same guys as last season, minus a half season of Mason Miller. The starting rotation has potential but only if everything goes perfectly. And though they’ve looked for upgrades at the position, third base looks like it’ll be a combination of Max Muncy, Andy Ibanez and Darell Hernaiz.
Which offseason decision have you disliked the most or feel the most uneasy about? Have we not shored up the relief core enough? Is the starting rotation your primary concern? No upgrade at the hot corner? Or is your head not even on the field, instead wishing for one final extension from our Rookie of the Year first baseman Nick Kurtz? Debate and comment below!