Arbitration Eligible players (using MLBTR’s arbitration estimates)
- Khris Davis – $18.1MM Tender/Extension
- Mike Fiers – $9.7MM Non-Tender
- Marcus Semien – $6.6MM Tender
- Blake Treinen – $5.8MM Tender
- Sean Manaea – $3.8MM Tender
- Kendall Graveman – $2.5MM Non-Tender
- Cory Gearrin – $2.4MM Non-Tender
- Liam Hendriks – $2.1MM Tender
- Mark Canha – $2.1MM Tender
- Ryan Buchter – $1.3MM Tender
- Josh Phegley – $1.2MM Tender
- Ryan Dull – $900K Non-Tender
After signing Jed Lowrie to a 2 year deal, Franklin Barreto would be a prime candidate to turn around and trade for help in other areas. Kenta Maeda is a good pitcher with a very unique incentive contract with a base pay of $3.125 Million and incentives of $1 Million per 5 starts over 15, 20, 25, 30. He also have incentives based around innings pitched after 90 IP. He would be making $250K per 10 IP over 90, which can make Maeda's contract vary based on how he is used by the team. Last year with the Dodgers, Maeda was switched from the rotation to the pen after 19 starts. He totaled a pay day of $6.125 Million pitching 125 IP. Back in 2016, Maeda started 32 games pitching 175 IP and made $10.375 Million. This gives us the range in which Maeda would be making next season depending on how he would be used. Maeda is under control until 2023, and unlike other players his contract can actually turn out to be a plus long term. If Maeda struggles as a starter down the road, he may be uniquely able to turn a role into the pen at a very affordable price. Maeda fills a role now as a key starter and potentially later in his contract as a bullpen piece. Perhaps the A's play with the role of an opener again to limit Maeda cost for starts and still benefit from his production. I am not exactly sure of Maeda value, but using Barreto as a prime piece in the deal could be a good starting point to make the deal happen.
Summary
Payroll? Yeah I don't know what we have to play with this offseason and this plan may very well get close if not over the century mark, but could work out if tinkered with to make everything fit.
IN: F. Cervelli, Z. Eflin, J.Hellickson, J.Lowrie, K.Maeda, B.Powell
OUT: D.Fowler, M.Canha, F.Barreto, S.Neuse, C.Bassitt, S. Bolt, M. Fiers, K.Graveman, C.Gerrain
Guaranteed Contracts:
Davis DH $16.25 Million
Lowrie 2B $12 Million
Cervelli C $6 Million (11.5 Million, 1/2 from Pittsburgh)
Piscotty OF $7.3 Million
Hellickson SP $6 Million
Petit RP $5.5 Million
Rodney RP $5.25 Million
Maeda SP $3.125 Million (likely between $6 Million-$10 Million)
Arbitration:
- Marcus Semien – $6.6MM
- Blake Treinen – $5.8MM
- Sean Manaea – $3.8MM
- Liam Hendriks – $2.1MM
- Ryan Buchter – $1.3MM
- Josh Phegley – $1.2MM
Pre-Arbitration:: $9 Million
Total Approx $98 Million (I used Maeda's 32 start in 2016 for $10M as the cost in the total).
C: F.Cervelli, J.Phegley
INF: M.Olson, J.Lowrie, M.Semien, M.Chapman
OF: S.Piscotty, R.Laureano, N.Martini, C.Pinder, B. Powell
DH: K.Davis
SP: K.Maeda, Z.Eflin, J.Hellickson, D.Mengden, J.Luzardo
RP: Y.Petit, F.Montas, L.Hendriks, F.Rodney, R.Buchter, E, Pagan, L.Trivino, B.Trenien
Lineup vs RHP
1) N.Martini LF
2) M. Chapman 3B
3) J. Lowrie 2B
4) K. Davis DH
5) M. Olson 1B
6) S. Piscotty RF
7) F. Cervelli C
8) R. Laureano CF
9) M. Semien SS
Bench: J.Phegley, C. Pinder, B. Powell
Lineup vs LHP
1) R. Laureano CF
2) M. Chapman 3B
3) J. Lowrie 2B
4) K. Davis DH
5) S. Piscotty RF
6) F. Cervelli C
7) M. Olson 1B
8) C. Pinder LF
9) M. Semien SS
Bench J. Phegley, N. Martini, B. Powell
It's hard making real life realistic deals that work for both teams or team and player, but I think there could be a frame work for some potential deals here. Obviously not knowing whether payroll will go that high will be an obstacle, along with whether enough is given up to make those deals happen. With whatever happens, I think the trade market will be a major part of how the A's upgrade the team for next season. We shall see what the next couple of months bring to in and out of Oakland.