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Happy Thursday, Athletics Nation!
The season is winding up and with their 54th win of the season on Tuesday, the A’s guaranteed the fact that they can’t have the worst season in Oakland history. With the 1979 A’s going 54-108 the worst that could happen is a tied record, if every remaining game this year is a loss. But at this point it seems certain that the 2022 Athletics are a 100+ loss team, however unsurprising it is for those of us who follow the team daily.
With this year’s new CBA there’s less of an incentive to be the worst in the league. No longer does 30th place net you the first overall draft pick in the following year. Now the A’s look to be tied with the MLB-worst Nationals (52-97) and Pirates (55-93) in sharing the best odds of the #1 pick in 2023. The three teams with the worst records all share a 16.5% chance of the top pick, and 4th-worst ahas a 13.25% chance.
All 18 non-playoff clubs will enter a lottery for the top six picks. The percentage chances of each team getting the No. 1 choice, in reverse order of winning percentages: pic.twitter.com/lzWR3PeOqW
— Jim Callis (@jimcallisMLB) March 11, 2022
The lottery extends backwards all the way to the top team that doesn’t make the playoffs. That’s right, the A’s could lose over 100 games in 2022, and there’s a chance (though impossibly slim) that a playoff-cusp team with a winning record like the Brewers could pick before them. Each missed pick does make things more increasingly-likely that the worst-performing teams pick early, softening missing out on the absolute top of the draft.
With just 13 games remaining, we will see if the A’s hang in that best-chance bottom three, or if they rise in the ranks and lower their percentages.
A’s Coverage
- Brener: Game #149: Mariners vs A’s
- Kawahara: Where do Oakland’s mayoral hopefuls stand on a new A’s ballpark? ($)
- Rosenstein: Ex-Yankees prospect appears to be new closer for A’s
- Slusser: Ex-A’s starter Jharel Cotton joins Giants, says S.F. is ‘the place to be’
- Brazil: Howard Terminal deal: NEXT WEEK deadline? (video)
- The Athletic Staff: Yankees starter Frankie Montas placed on 15-day IL with right shoulder inflammation ($)
MLB News & Interest
- Doolittle: With ‘a gap right now between where we are and where we expected to be,’ Kansas City Royals fire Dayton Moore
- McCullough, Rosenthal: Royals fire Dayton Moore as president of baseball operations ($)
- ESPN: Three-time champ Buster Posey becomes first former player to join San Francisco Giants ownership group
- AP: New York Mets set MLB record with 106 hit batters in 2022
- Szymborski: Will Aaron Judge Get His $300 Million Deal?
- Today in Baseball History
Best of Twitter
Tony is has been showing his skills as a clubhouse leader lately
Hopefully he has a lot more years left on the field but it feels like the moment Tony Kemp doesn’t want to play anymore, he will be offered a manager’s job. Incredible leader. https://t.co/wOpFF1Wpr0
— Melissa Lockard (@melissalockard) September 21, 2022
Some fresh Stomper wallpapers for your phone
*CHANGE WALLPAPER* #WallpaperWednesday | #DrumTogether pic.twitter.com/WJO5calvwi
— Stomper (@Stomper00) September 21, 2022
A lovely tribute to a lot of familiar faces
This is why the Mauker is the best! Great passion for the A’s. Excellent artist and watch out for the wrestling moves! https://t.co/Ka3srB1Bnh
— Vince Cotroneo (@vincebaseball) September 21, 2022
The always wonderful Casey Pratt on the state of where things may be at with Howard Terminal and the city
It's easy to perceive it that way. And maybe that's the case... But let's also consider the City said they'd take care of the off-site costs. It's really not the A's thing to figure out at this point. The original term sheet had a plan for the off-site. The city chose this path. https://t.co/ux5rmABigL
— Casey Pratt (@CaseyPrattABC7) September 21, 2022
Votto making the most of his time on ice
This is so awesome.
— Ben Verlander (@BenVerlander) September 21, 2022
Joey Votto (out for the season) is walking around the stands at the @Reds game. He’s hanging with fans, taking selfies, signing autographs, and sitting with kids to watch with them. pic.twitter.com/vhSjg40wyB
TJ recovery show and tell from Daulton Jefferies
A’s RHP Daulton Jefferies got cast off two days ago, now in this awesome brace! It allows him to adjust range of motion and lock it in place while in public to protect the elbow after his second Tommy John surgery two weeks ago. “It’s pretty neat,” he says. He’s in great spirits. pic.twitter.com/qipZh9CA8R
— Janie McCauley (@JanieMcCAP) September 22, 2022
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