FanPost

OaklandLogan's Offseason Plan

Alright. It's that time of year again for a poorly written offseason plan that will almost undoubtedly be way off from what actually happens, but that's the fun in it right? Since I'm never accurate with what the team actually does, I'm focusing on what I want them to do rather than what I think they will do. Don't worry, I'll keep it within the realm of possibility.

Overall, there's not a whole lot the A's need to do. Reassemble the bullpen, add a veteran starter, a catcher or maybe two, and maybe extra outfield help. I haven't read any other FanPosts yet because I want my players and ideas to be unique, although I have seen some comments from people suggesting players to pick up. So without further ado, here's my Offseason Plan.

Arbitration Eligible Players:

Khris Davis - Tender - $11.1 Million

Marcus Semien - Tender - $3.2 Million

Kendall Graveman - Tender - $2.6 Million

Blake Treinen - Tender - $2.3 Million

Chris Hatcher - Trade if possible - $2.2 Million

Liam Hendriks - Tender - $1.9 Million

Josh Phegley - Non Tender

Jake Smolinski - Tender - $700k

The only thing I can see being different from other people is Chris Hatcher, Josh Phegley, and Jake Smolinski. Hatcher wasn't outstanding last year. He may not have even been good, but we really need anything we can get, so hopefully we can at least get a lotto ticket rather than a non tender. He was worth .4 bWAR last year with a 4.22 ERA so at the very least he should be able to eat some innings. Phegley has just been bad lately. Combine that with his consistent relationship with the DL and he's not worth keeping. Smolinksi is a cheap replacement outfielder. He will almost certainly start the year in AAA, but is a valuable backup outfielder who can mash LHP. For $700k, that's well worth the money.

Free Agency:

C Jonathan Lucroy - 3 year/ $25 Million

I'm not entirely sure what it would take to sign Lucroy, but I think 3 years at about $8 million a year is pretty close after a down year, even though I'd be willing to pay more. He is a valuable option until Sean Murphy can get his bat to a ML level. He would also be a valuable addition to support our young pitching staff.

SP Doug Fister - 1 year/ $4 Million

Doug Fister isn't what he used to be, but would still be valuable to this roster, and to many other rosters so I wouldn't be surprised if it takes more to land him. He made $1.75 Million last year, but I'd rather be a little high than too low. Fister will be a similar case to that of Lucroy. He would be a veteran presence with the ability to be productive, but at the very least, he eats some innings.

RHP Matt Albers - 3 years/ $18 Million

Albers struggled In 2016 with the White Sox but had a resurging year in 2017 with a 1.62 ERA in 61 IP while striking out a little more than one per inning, and walked 17 last year. The contract may not be right but he's a player I'd like to target.

LHP Mike Minor - 3 year/ $20 Million

Minor spent his first 5 seasons with Atlanta and 4 of which had a ERA north of 4. Last year, with the Royals, he was moved to the bullpen and found success with a 2.55 ERA in 77.2 innings. He would be a solid addition to our bullpen and a quality lefty option.

It's worth noting I would like to add another catcher along with Lucroy but I don't want to get ahead of myself with Maxwell. Let's see what happens.

Trades:

Santiago Casilla for, well, anything. Dump him if you must. Get him off the team. (PRIORITY)

Ryon Healy to the KC Royals for LHP Scott Alexander and OF Anderson Miller

Healy is simply getting squeezed out of this team, so one of him, Davis, or Nunez has to go. Healy just seems the most likely. We get another reliever to add to our bullpen in Alexander who found success in his first full year at the Major League level (despite being 28). He had a 2.48 ERA in 69 innings. His FIP is a little higher but still good with a 3.23. We also get to add to our outfield depth. Miller is the Royals 25th ranked prospect according to MLB.com. He is a defense first Outfielder who throws and hits from the left side. His tools according to MLB.com are Hit:45 | Power:45 | Run:55 | Arm:60 | Field:55 | Overall: 45. He just split last year with A+ and AA. He would likely start this year in Midland. Why would the Royals do this trade? They are about to lose both Moustakes and Hosmer at the corners. They could use another young corner infielder. If they don't want to expose his defensive liability, they have room at DH too as Brandon Moss just didn't cut it last year, hitting just .207/.279/.428.

Summary:

Lineup vs RHP Lineup vs LHP

1. CF Fowler 1. CF Fowler

2. RF Joyce 2. SS Semien

3. 2B Lowrie 3. 2B Lowrie

4. DH Davis 4. LF Davis

5. 1B Olson 5. 1B Olson

6. 3B Chapman 6. 3B Chapman

7. SS Semien 7. RF Pinder

8. C Lucroy/Maxwell 8. C Lucroy

9. LF Powell 9. DH Nunez

This leaves one or two spots available depending on if they go with a 7 or 8 man bullpen. Potentially add a guy like Austin Jackson, but that's not a must in my opinion.

Rotation:

1. LHP Sean Manaea

2. RHP Kendall Graveman

3. RHP Doug Fister

4. RHP Paul Blackburn

5. Triggs/Gossett/Mengden/Cotton

Bullpen:

1. CP RHP Blake Treinen

2. SU RHP Matt Albers

4. SU LHP Mike Minor

5. RP RHP Ryan Dull

6. RP LHP Scott Alexander

7. RP RHP Liam Hendriks

8. LRP Triggs/Mengden/Gossett/Cotton

I'd like not to have an 8 man bullpen but I fear it might be more of the same this year so I put it on here. If they stick with a 7 man pen, there's multiple ways to adjust it. I'd like to keep one of Hatcher or Coulombe in AAA (probably Coulombe as Hatcher probably doesn't have options) as I'm sure someone will fall to injury and it'd be nice to have some depth. Anyways, there you have it. I apologize for my contract estimates are likely off and for any other mistakes I may have made. I hope you enjoyed.