Athletics Nation - Oakland A's trade Brett Lawrie to White Sox for two pitching prospectsAn SB Nation blog for Oakland Athletics fanshttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/47025/an-fave.png2015-12-12T07:00:06-08:00http://www.athleticsnation.com/rss/stream/103914792015-12-12T07:00:06-08:002015-12-12T07:00:06-08:00Lawrie Trade: 4 Reasons I'm More Bullish Than Most
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<img alt=""I'm serious, breh -- it gives you WINGS!!!!"" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/JuSmTTpGxnBDfDaU70lGAGVMlLc=/0x112:3000x2112/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/47885901/GettyImages-490593746.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>"I'm serious, breh -- it gives you WINGS!!!!" | Harry How/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>In general, the consensus response to the trade that sent <span>Brett Lawrie</span> to the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.southsidesox.com/">White Sox</a> for two minor league pitchers was a collective "Blargh!" And I mean 'blargh' in the least positive sense of the word (which doesn't exist, let alone have multiple definitions).</p>
<p>Perhaps Lawrie's eternal identity as the turning-point in the ill-fated <span>Josh Donaldson</span> trade caused fans to hold out hope that in moving the other direction he might bring back top talent. Maybe the relatively low ranking of <span>J.B. Wendelken</span> and Zack Erwin on the White Sox' prospect lists made it seem like the A's settled for "anything" in the trade.</p>
<p>There are 4 reasons I think the A's did fine with this trade, and actually got sufficient value in exchanging Lawrie for Wendelken and Erwin:</p>
<h4>Lawrie</h4>
<p>Having <a target="_blank" href="http://www.athleticsnation.com/2015/12/10/9883312/an-article-thats-not-about-bobby-crosby">already written a less than flattering profile of Lawrie</a> I don't want to belabor the point, but in making Lawrie available the A's were offering a player who has established himself as a solid and versatile defender who will likely put up an OBP around .300 and a SLG of around .400. Furthermore, Lawrie now has just 2 years left on his contract and from his minor league days to his time with the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bluebirdbanter.com/">Blue Jays</a> to his rumored issues "fitting in" with Oakland, the whispers of issues with teammates and/or coaches is certainly now on the "minus side" of any ledger.</p>
<p>Because the market for 3Bmen is thin this off-season and because Lawrie is still young and full of potential, there was going to be a demand for him, but that does not mean there was going to be a line waiting to offer a king's ransom. If you expected the A's to get a ton back for Lawrie, the problem was with your expectations and not with the A's front office.</p>
<h4>J.B. Wendelken</h4>
<p>I think J.B. Wendelken is a better prospect than many A's fans realize. His prospect status reflects that he was pretty bad in 2014, but in 2014 he was a starting pitcher and as a bevy of top relievers -- from <span>Andrew Bailey</span> to <span>Mariano Rivera</span> -- can attest, some arms and repertoires are just better suited to the bullpen.</p>
<p>Upon moving to the bullpen, <a target="_blank" href="http://www.milb.com/player/index.jsp?sid=milb&player_id=605525#/career/R/pitching/2015/ALL">Wendelken dominated AA</a> and combining AA and AAA his 2015 season as a reliever produced 16 BBs and 69 Ks in 59 IPs. Wendelken <a target="_blank" href="http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/prospect-watch-changeup-artists/">throws his fastball in the low 90s with a killer changeup</a> and if that reminds you of someone it's probably <span>Tyler Clippard</span> -- a failed starting pitcher who found substantial success as a big league reliever. Like Clippard, Wendelken can touch 94MPH but relies far more on changing speeds for his success.</p>
<p>I'm not suggesting that Wendelken is going to be as good as Clippard, but as someone who may be up as soon as mid-season 2016, Wendelken is a legitimate addition to the bullpen's depth chart and is someone who could potentially make it as a high leverage reliever. Do you think the A's value good relievers right now? I think they do.</p>
<h4>Zack Erwin</h4>
<p>I also see Erwin as a better prospect than he is widely being given credit for...being. (It's always so sad when bad things happen to good sentences.) Erwin is a 4th round pick for whom you need a magnifying glass <a target="_blank" href="http://www.milb.com/player/index.jsp?sid=milb&player_id=664116#/career/R/pitching/2015/ALL">to see his 2015 ERA</a>. He is just 21 and while he is several steps away from proving himself as a big leaguer, that just speaks to him being the kind of prospect the A's should be adding: high risk because he's a ways away, but with some upside -- probably about the same upside of a healthy <span>Sean Nolin</span>, who came up with a similar repertoire <a target="_blank" href="http://www.baseballamerica.com/majors/trade-central-lawrie-traded-time-white-sox/">(high 80s/low 90s fastball, crafty with solid command of both sides of the plate, a good changeup)</a> and the projection of a #4 SP.</p>
<p>Also, I am not by any means a yes-man for the A's front office, but one area where I will always give them the benefit of the doubt is in their evaluation of pitching talent, as for every Sean Nolin (and that story is not even fully written) there is a <span>Kendall Graveman</span> and a <span>Chris Bassitt</span> and a <span>Jesse Chavez</span> and a <span>Jarrod Parker</span> and a <span>Jesse Hahn</span>...Heck, when <span>Sonny Gray</span> was drafted I perused his profile and was not overly enthused by his BB numbers or his two-pitch (at the time) arsenal. The A's knew what they had, though. If Oakland likes Wendelken and Erwin, then until further notice so do I.</p>
<h4>Clearing Payroll</h4>
<p>Fans keen to see the A's reunite with <span>Scott Kazmir</span>, add Hyun-Soo Kim from Korea, or both, should realize that signing more free agents, and clearing payroll, are intertwined. Could the A's offer Kazmir the 3/$50M it might take to lure him, and pony up maybe another 3/$14M to land Kim?</p>
<p>The answer is a lot closer to yes when you subtract the $4M or so Lawrie figures to make this season. I don't know if part of the A's desire to move Lawrie involved clearing up payroll for a subsequent signing, but as payroll currently stands there is room for a significant signing (such as Kazmir) without stopping the A's from signing Kim if they see fit.</p>
<p>In sum, for 2 years of a strikingly average player who may already have worn out his welcome at yet another stop, Oakland has gotten two young pitchers they like and cleared payroll as they talk to a #2 SP and an intriguing LFer. Yup, I'm more than fine with it.</p>
https://www.athleticsnation.com/2015/12/12/9922108/lawrie-trade-4-reasons-im-more-bullish-than-mostNico2015-12-10T07:00:08-08:002015-12-10T07:00:08-08:00An Article That's Not About Bobby Crosby
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<figcaption>"Oops." | Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Drafted in the first round and billed as a rising star, Bobby Crosby had a rookie season that was better than the debuts of any of his peers. First scouts, then teams, and then fans gushed about the combination of power and speed, the pure athleticism and accomplished infield defense, that Bobby Crosby brought to the table.</p>
<p>Trouble was, Bobby Crosby could never build on, or reproduce, the promise of his first season. Subsequent seasons that were not bad, but also were not good, were initially excused because of an array of pesky injuries. "If he can just stay on the field..." All Bobby Crosby needed to turn the corner and fulfill his star promise was good health, or so it seemed. Until he did stay on the field, but frustrated observers with the inability to combine his solid defense with any sort of consistent hitting. Bobby Crosby had all the physical tools to be a good hitter but somehow he was still too easy to get out.</p>
<p>But no doubt the physical tools were there, the pedigree was there, and even after multiple failed attempts at a "breakout year" you would hear "I think this is the year Bobby Crosby will put it all together." Hey, he was a first round pick with a true athlete's body and he was still young. But he could never put it together because while he played solid defense, watching Bobby Crosby bat was like watching Lucy pull the football from Charlie Brown: Everyone in the stadium could scream "Don't chase!" in unison, and a moment later Bobby Crosby would wave at a slider like a man allergic to walks, or he would jam himself because <span class="sbn-auto-link">his</span> batting approach didn't work and yet he seemed unwilling, or perhaps just unable, to adjust.</p>
<p>Ultimately, in a game of adjustments Bobby Crosby fell victim to the inability to change what didn't work. To an outside observer he appeared to be stubborn, uncoachable, the only person on the planet unable to see what was wrong with his swing or his approach. Perhaps he was simply not <i>able</i> to adapt. Either way, Bobby Crosby was doomed to become just another good fielder who was nothing special as a hitter, and teams were doomed to be seduced by the "breakout year Bobby Crosby surely was about to have," but never actually had. All the way through his 20s <span>Bobby Crosby's</span> raw talent and pedigree was going to earn him a job with some team willing to overlook his results and take a chance on his potential.</p>
<p>Now go back and re-read this article, only every time you see "Bobby Crosby" change it to "<span class="sbn-auto-link"><span>Brett Lawrie</span></span>".</p>
https://www.athleticsnation.com/2015/12/10/9883312/an-article-thats-not-about-bobby-crosbyNico2015-12-09T21:44:00-08:002015-12-09T21:44:00-08:00After winter meetings, what next for the A's?
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<img alt="A's manager Bob Melvin meets with reporters at the 2015 Winter Meetings." src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/vVUvKkzxQIcxAPyM9D5F5L1iRqo=/0x0:4245x2830/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/47842883/usa-today-8984225.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>A's manager Bob Melvin meets with reporters at the 2015 Winter Meetings. | Jim Brown-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Despite popular belief, it's only December, and there is still time for the Oakland Athletics to make some more moves for a competitive 2016, if you thought there was a chance in the first place.</p> <p>The <a href="https://www.athleticsnation.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Oakland Athletics</a> have wrapped up their apparent campaign to sign and trade for all the relievers ever and make no moves to bolster the club on the offensive side of the ball, save swapping out <span>Ike Davis</span> with <span>Yonder Alonso</span> and Brett Lawrie with <span>Jed Lowrie</span>. Sources tell me, however, that there are more than three months until the first games of the 2016 regular season, and therefore there is still time for the A's to make more moves. So take it easy.</p>
<p>First, the A's are probably going to take someone in the Rule 5 Draft Thursday morning with their sixth pick, <a href="http://www.sfchronicle.com/athletics/article/A-s-White-Sox-push-pause-on-Brett-Lawrie-deal-6687764.php?t=bf8671ef6c3d4cb4da&cmpid=twitter-premium">according to the <i>San Francisco Chronicle</i>'s Susan Slusser</a>, but it will be the player to be named to complete the trade of Yonder Alonso and <span>Marc Rzepczynski</span> from the <a href="https://www.gaslampball.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">San Diego Padres</a>. The A's have 38 players on the 40-man roster, so they could make another selection in the second round, but the inability to move <span>Coco Crisp</span> or Billy Butler to another team makes carrying a Rule 5 player on the roster difficult.</p>
<p>Is there money to make more moves on the free agent market? Oakland Athletics executive vice president of baseball operations Billy Beane says <a href="http://www.sfchronicle.com/athletics/article/A-s-will-add-starter-maybe-another-reliever-6685044.php?t=4c99298bec3d4cb4da&cmpid=twitter-premium">payroll will go up next year</a>, but <a href="http://m.athletics.mlb.com/news/article/159184516/as-still-seeking-deals-at-winter-meetings">he also says</a> "we're starting to become a little bit limited in terms of payroll."</p>
<p>So let's take a look at where the payroll stands after the A's completed the <span>Brett Lawrie</span> trade (arbitration estimates <a href="http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2015/10/projected-arbitration-salaries-for-2016.html">from MLB Trade Rumors</a>):</p>
<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%" style="border-collapse: collapse;">
<colgroup> <col width="21" style="mso-width-source: userset; mso-width-alt: 896; width: 21pt;"> <col width="131" style="mso-width-source: userset; mso-width-alt: 5589; width: 131pt;"> <col width="97" style="mso-width-source: userset; mso-width-alt: 4138; width: 97pt;"> <col width="76" style="mso-width-source: userset; mso-width-alt: 3242; width: 76pt;"> <col width="76" style="mso-width-source: userset; mso-width-alt: 3242; width: 76pt;"> <col width="85" style="mso-width-source: userset; mso-width-alt: 3626; width: 85pt;"> </colgroup>
<tbody>
<tr height="15" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td colspan="6" height="15" class="xl66" width="486" style="text-align: center; height: 15pt; width: 486pt;"><b>Oakland A's 25-man and contracted players payroll projection</b></td>
</tr>
<tr height="15" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="15" class="xl66" style="text-align: center; height: 15pt;"><b></b></td>
<td class="xl66" style="text-align: center;"><b>Player</b></td>
<td class="xl66" style="text-align: center;"><b>2016</b></td>
<td class="xl66" style="text-align: center;"><b>2017</b></td>
<td class="xl67" style="text-align: center;"><b>2018</b></td>
<td class="xl66" style="text-align: center;"><b>Type</b></td>
</tr>
<tr height="15" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td rowspan="21" height="315" class="xl76" style="text-align: center; height: 315pt;"><b>Position Players</b></td>
<td class="xl68" style="text-align: center;">Coco Crisp</td>
<td class="xl69" style="text-align: center;">$11,000,000</td>
<td class="xl69" style="text-align: center;">Buyout</td>
<td class="xl69" style="text-align: center;"></td>
<td class="xl65" style="text-align: center;">Contract</td>
</tr>
<tr height="15" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="15" class="xl68" style="text-align: center; height: 15pt;">Josh Reddick</td>
<td class="xl69" style="text-align: center;">$7,000,000</td>
<td class="xl69" style="text-align: center;">FA</td>
<td class="xl69" style="text-align: center;"></td>
<td class="xl65" style="text-align: center;">Arb. Estimate</td>
</tr>
<tr height="15" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="15" class="xl68" style="text-align: center; height: 15pt;">Sam Fuld</td>
<td class="xl69" style="text-align: center;">$1,925,000</td>
<td class="xl69" style="text-align: center;">FA</td>
<td class="xl69" style="text-align: center;"></td>
<td class="xl65" style="text-align: center;">Arb. Settlement</td>
</tr>
<tr height="15" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="15" class="xl68" style="text-align: center; height: 15pt;">Billy Butler</td>
<td class="xl69" style="text-align: center;">$10,000,000</td>
<td class="xl69" style="text-align: center;">$10,000,000</td>
<td class="xl69" style="text-align: center;">FA</td>
<td class="xl65" style="text-align: center;">Contract</td>
</tr>
<tr height="15" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="15" class="xl68" style="text-align: center; height: 15pt;">Jed Lowrie</td>
<td class="xl69" style="text-align: center;">$7,500,000</td>
<td class="xl69" style="text-align: center;">$6,500,000</td>
<td class="xl69" style="text-align: center;">Buyout</td>
<td class="xl65" style="text-align: center;">Contract</td>
</tr>
<tr height="15" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="15" class="xl68" style="text-align: center; height: 15pt;">Danny Valencia</td>
<td class="xl69" style="text-align: center;">$3,400,000</td>
<td class="xl69" style="text-align: center;">$6,000,000</td>
<td class="xl69" style="text-align: center;">FA</td>
<td class="xl65" style="text-align: center;">Arb. Estimate</td>
</tr>
<tr height="15" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="15" class="xl68" style="text-align: center; height: 15pt;">Yonder Alonso</td>
<td class="xl69" style="text-align: center;">$2,500,000</td>
<td class="xl69" style="text-align: center;">$4,000,000</td>
<td class="xl69" style="text-align: center;">FA</td>
<td class="xl65" style="text-align: center;">Arb. Estimate</td>
</tr>
<tr height="15" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="15" class="xl68" style="text-align: center; height: 15pt;">Eric Sogard</td>
<td class="xl69" style="text-align: center;">$1,500,000</td>
<td class="xl69" style="text-align: center;">$2,500,000</td>
<td class="xl69" style="text-align: center;">FA</td>
<td class="xl65" style="text-align: center;">Arb. Settlement</td>
</tr>
<tr height="15" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="15" class="xl68" style="text-align: center; height: 15pt;">Stephen Vogt</td>
<td class="xl69" style="text-align: center;">$507,500</td>
<td class="xl69" style="text-align: center;">$3,000,000</td>
<td class="xl69" style="text-align: center;">$6,000,000</td>
<td class="xl65" style="text-align: center;">Arb. Estimate</td>
</tr>
<tr height="15" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="15" class="xl68" style="text-align: center; height: 15pt;">Billy Burns</td>
<td class="xl69" style="text-align: center;">$507,500</td>
<td class="xl69" style="text-align: center;">$515,000</td>
<td class="xl69" style="text-align: center;">$3,000,000</td>
<td class="xl65" style="text-align: center;">Arb. Estimate</td>
</tr>
<tr height="15" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="15" class="xl68" style="text-align: center; height: 15pt;">Mark Canha</td>
<td class="xl69" style="text-align: center;">$507,500</td>
<td class="xl69" style="text-align: center;">$515,000</td>
<td class="xl69" style="text-align: center;">$3,000,000</td>
<td class="xl65" style="text-align: center;">Arb. Estimate</td>
</tr>
<tr height="15" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="15" class="xl68" style="text-align: center; height: 15pt;">Marcus Semien</td>
<td class="xl69" style="text-align: center;">$507,500</td>
<td class="xl69" style="text-align: center;">$515,000</td>
<td class="xl69" style="text-align: center;">$3,000,000</td>
<td class="xl65" style="text-align: center;">Arb. Estimate</td>
</tr>
<tr height="15" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="15" class="xl68" style="text-align: center; height: 15pt;">Josh Phegley</td>
<td class="xl69" style="text-align: center;">$507,500</td>
<td class="xl69" style="text-align: center;">$515,000</td>
<td class="xl69" style="text-align: center;">$3,000,000</td>
<td class="xl65" style="text-align: center;">Arb. Estimate</td>
</tr>
<tr height="15" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="15" class="xl68" style="text-align: center; height: 15pt;">Pre-arb Position Player 1</td>
<td class="xl69" style="text-align: center;"></td>
<td class="xl69" style="text-align: center;">$515,000</td>
<td class="xl69" style="text-align: center;">$522,500</td>
<td class="xl65" style="text-align: center;">Minimum</td>
</tr>
<tr height="15" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="15" class="xl68" style="text-align: center; height: 15pt;">Pre-arb Position Player 2</td>
<td class="xl69" style="text-align: center;"></td>
<td class="xl69" style="text-align: center;">$515,000</td>
<td class="xl69" style="text-align: center;">$522,500</td>
<td class="xl65" style="text-align: center;">Minimum</td>
</tr>
<tr height="15" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="15" class="xl68" style="text-align: center; height: 15pt;">Pre-arb Position Player 3</td>
<td class="xl69" style="text-align: center;"></td>
<td class="xl69" style="text-align: center;">$515,000</td>
<td class="xl69" style="text-align: center;">$522,500</td>
<td class="xl65" style="text-align: center;">Minimum</td>
</tr>
<tr height="15" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="15" class="xl68" style="text-align: center; height: 15pt;">Pre-arb Position Player 4</td>
<td class="xl69" style="text-align: center;"></td>
<td class="xl69" style="text-align: center;"></td>
<td class="xl69" style="text-align: center;">$522,500</td>
<td class="xl65" style="text-align: center;">Minimum</td>
</tr>
<tr height="15" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="15" class="xl68" style="text-align: center; height: 15pt;">Pre-arb Position Player 5</td>
<td class="xl69" style="text-align: center;"></td>
<td class="xl69" style="text-align: center;"></td>
<td class="xl69" style="text-align: center;">$522,500</td>
<td class="xl65" style="text-align: center;">Minimum</td>
</tr>
<tr height="15" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="15" class="xl68" style="text-align: center; height: 15pt;">Pre-arb Position Player 6</td>
<td class="xl69" style="text-align: center;"></td>
<td class="xl69" style="text-align: center;"></td>
<td class="xl69" style="text-align: center;">$522,500</td>
<td class="xl65" style="text-align: center;">Minimum</td>
</tr>
<tr height="15" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="15" class="xl68" style="text-align: center; height: 15pt;">Pre-arb Position Player 7</td>
<td class="xl69" style="text-align: center;"></td>
<td class="xl69" style="text-align: center;"></td>
<td class="xl69" style="text-align: center;">$522,500</td>
<td class="xl65" style="text-align: center;">Minimum</td>
</tr>
<tr height="15" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="15" class="xl68" style="text-align: center; height: 15pt;">Pre-arb Position Player 8</td>
<td class="xl69" style="text-align: center;"></td>
<td class="xl69" style="text-align: center;"></td>
<td class="xl69" style="text-align: center;">$522,500</td>
<td class="xl65" style="text-align: center;">Minimum</td>
</tr>
<tr height="15" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td rowspan="7" height="105" class="xl76" style="text-align: center; height: 105pt;"><b>Starting Pitchers</b></td>
<td class="xl70" style="text-align: center;">Rich Hill</td>
<td class="xl71" style="text-align: center;">$6,000,000</td>
<td class="xl71" style="text-align: center;">FA</td>
<td class="xl71" style="text-align: center;"></td>
<td class="xl65" style="text-align: center;">Contract</td>
</tr>
<tr height="15" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="15" class="xl70" style="text-align: center; height: 15pt;">Jarrod Parker</td>
<td class="xl71" style="text-align: center;">$850,000</td>
<td class="xl71" style="text-align: center;">$2,000,000</td>
<td class="xl71" style="text-align: center;">FA</td>
<td class="xl65" style="text-align: center;">Arb. Estimate</td>
</tr>
<tr height="15" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="15" class="xl70" style="text-align: center; height: 15pt;">Sonny Gray</td>
<td class="xl71" style="text-align: center;">$507,500</td>
<td class="xl71" style="text-align: center;">$5,000,000</td>
<td class="xl71" style="text-align: center;">$10,000,000</td>
<td class="xl65" style="text-align: center;">Arb. Estimate</td>
</tr>
<tr height="15" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="15" class="xl70" style="text-align: center; height: 15pt;">Jesse Hahn</td>
<td class="xl71" style="text-align: center;">$507,500</td>
<td class="xl71" style="text-align: center;">$515,000</td>
<td class="xl71" style="text-align: center;">$2,000,000</td>
<td class="xl65" style="text-align: center;">Arb. Estimate</td>
</tr>
<tr height="15" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="15" class="xl70" style="text-align: center; height: 15pt;">Kendall Graveman</td>
<td class="xl71" style="text-align: center;">$507,500</td>
<td class="xl71" style="text-align: center;">$515,000</td>
<td class="xl71" style="text-align: center;">$2,000,000</td>
<td class="xl65" style="text-align: center;">Arb. Estimate</td>
</tr>
<tr height="15" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="15" class="xl70" style="text-align: center; height: 15pt;">Chris Bassitt</td>
<td class="xl71" style="text-align: center;">$507,500</td>
<td class="xl71" style="text-align: center;">$515,000</td>
<td class="xl71" style="text-align: center;">$2,000,000</td>
<td class="xl65" style="text-align: center;">Arb. Estimate</td>
</tr>
<tr height="15" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="15" class="xl70" style="text-align: center; height: 15pt;">Pre-arb Starting PItcher 1</td>
<td class="xl71" style="text-align: center;"></td>
<td class="xl71" style="text-align: center;"></td>
<td class="xl71" style="text-align: center;">$522,500</td>
<td class="xl65" style="text-align: center;">Minimum</td>
</tr>
<tr height="15" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td rowspan="10" height="150" class="xl76" style="text-align: center; height: 150pt;"><b>Relief Pitchers</b></td>
<td class="xl72" style="text-align: center;">Marc Rzepczynski</td>
<td class="xl73" style="text-align: center;">$2,950,000</td>
<td class="xl73" style="text-align: center;">FA</td>
<td class="xl73" style="text-align: center;"></td>
<td class="xl65" style="text-align: center;">Arb. Settlement</td>
</tr>
<tr height="15" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="15" class="xl72" style="text-align: center; height: 15pt;">John Axford</td>
<td class="xl73" style="text-align: center;">$5,000,000</td>
<td class="xl73" style="text-align: center;">$5,000,000</td>
<td class="xl73" style="text-align: center;">FA</td>
<td class="xl65" style="text-align: center;">Contract</td>
</tr>
<tr height="15" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="15" class="xl72" style="text-align: center; height: 15pt;">Fernando Rodriguez</td>
<td class="xl73" style="text-align: center;">$1,300,000</td>
<td class="xl73" style="text-align: center;">$2,000,000</td>
<td class="xl73" style="text-align: center;">FA</td>
<td class="xl65" style="text-align: center;">Arb. Estimate</td>
</tr>
<tr height="15" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="15" class="xl72" style="text-align: center; height: 15pt;">Ryan Madson</td>
<td class="xl73" style="text-align: center;">$7,000,000</td>
<td class="xl73" style="text-align: center;">$7,500,000</td>
<td class="xl73" style="text-align: center;">$7,500,000</td>
<td class="xl65" style="text-align: center;">Contract</td>
</tr>
<tr height="15" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="15" class="xl72" style="text-align: center; height: 15pt;">Sean Doolittle</td>
<td class="xl73" style="text-align: center;">$1,580,000</td>
<td class="xl73" style="text-align: center;">$2,630,000</td>
<td class="xl73" style="text-align: center;">$4,350,000</td>
<td class="xl65" style="text-align: center;">Arb. Estimate</td>
</tr>
<tr height="15" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="15" class="xl72" style="text-align: center; height: 15pt;">Liam Hendriks</td>
<td class="xl73" style="text-align: center;">$507,500</td>
<td class="xl73" style="text-align: center;">$1,500,000</td>
<td class="xl73" style="text-align: center;">$2,500,000</td>
<td class="xl65" style="text-align: center;">Arb. Estimate</td>
</tr>
<tr height="15" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="15" class="xl72" style="text-align: center; height: 15pt;">Sean Nolin</td>
<td class="xl73" style="text-align: center;">$507,500</td>
<td class="xl73" style="text-align: center;">$515,000</td>
<td class="xl73" style="text-align: center;">$522,500</td>
<td class="xl65" style="text-align: center;">Minimum</td>
</tr>
<tr height="15" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="15" class="xl72" style="text-align: center; height: 15pt;">Pre-arb Relief Pitcher 1</td>
<td class="xl73" style="text-align: center;"></td>
<td class="xl73" style="text-align: center;">$515,000</td>
<td class="xl73" style="text-align: center;">$522,500</td>
<td class="xl65" style="text-align: center;">Minimum</td>
</tr>
<tr height="15" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="15" class="xl72" style="text-align: center; height: 15pt;">Pre-arb Relief Pitcher 2</td>
<td class="xl73" style="text-align: center;"></td>
<td class="xl73" style="text-align: center;"></td>
<td class="xl73" style="text-align: center;">$522,500</td>
<td class="xl65" style="text-align: center;">Minimum</td>
</tr>
<tr height="15" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="15" class="xl72" style="text-align: center; height: 15pt;">Pre-arb Relief Pitcher 3</td>
<td class="xl73" style="text-align: center;"></td>
<td class="xl73" style="text-align: center;"></td>
<td class="xl73" style="text-align: center;">$522,500</td>
<td class="xl65" style="text-align: center;"></td>
</tr>
<tr height="15" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td rowspan="5" height="75" class="xl76" style="text-align: center; height: 75pt;">Misc.</td>
<td class="xl65" style="text-align: center;">Coco Crisp (Buyout)</td>
<td class="xl74" style="text-align: center;"></td>
<td class="xl74" style="text-align: center;">$750,000</td>
<td class="xl74" style="text-align: center;"></td>
<td class="xl65" style="text-align: center;"></td>
</tr>
<tr height="15" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="15" class="xl65" style="text-align: center; height: 15pt;">Jed Lowrie (Buyout)</td>
<td class="xl74" style="text-align: center;"></td>
<td class="xl74" style="text-align: center;"></td>
<td class="xl74" style="text-align: center;">$1,000,000</td>
<td class="xl65" style="text-align: center;"></td>
</tr>
<tr height="15" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="15" class="xl65" style="text-align: center; height: 15pt;">Felix Doubront (Cut)</td>
<td class="xl74" style="text-align: center;">$500,000</td>
<td class="xl74" style="text-align: center;"></td>
<td class="xl74" style="text-align: center;"></td>
<td class="xl65" style="text-align: center;"></td>
</tr>
<tr height="15" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="15" class="xl65" style="text-align: center; height: 15pt;">September callups</td>
<td class="xl74" style="text-align: center;">$1,100,000</td>
<td class="xl74" style="text-align: center;">$1,200,000</td>
<td class="xl74" style="text-align: center;">$1,200,000</td>
<td class="xl65" style="text-align: center;"></td>
</tr>
<tr height="15" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="15" class="xl66" style="text-align: center; height: 15pt;"><b>GRAND TOTAL</b></td>
<td class="xl75" style="text-align: center;"><b>$76,687,500</b></td>
<td class="xl75" style="text-align: center;"><b>$65,760,000</b></td>
<td class="xl75" style="text-align: center;"><b>$57,342,500</b></td>
<td class="xl65" style="text-align: center;"></td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p>Payroll at the start of 2015 was a hair over $87 million <a href="https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/19iuzCZuZ5l_qmdb8NxEgLvPWoE350emYMPMchJcFqU4/pub?output=html">by the Cot's Contracts estimate</a>, adjusted to place the entirety of <span>Billy Butler's</span> $5 million signing bonus in the 2015 campaign instead of prorating it. So push payroll to $90-95 million and there's still some ability to make moves to add another starting pitcher to the rotation or an outfielder to improve what is currently some combination of Coco Crisp, Sam Fuld, and Mark Canha.</p>
<p>The A's continued to say they were looking at veteran starting pitchers, and probably on a shorter term deal, according to<a href="http://www.csncalifornia.com/athletics/moving-option-no-2-their-starting-rotation"> CSN California's Joe Stiglich on Tuesday</a>. On Wednesday, A's general manager David Forst remained uncertain about whether the A's would add anyone else for the rotation:</p>
<p>
<script src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-partner="tweetdeck">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Forst on search for a starter: "We continue to check in ... but I can’t say for sure something’s going to fall to where it’s doable for us."</p>
— Jane Lee (@JaneMLB) <a href="https://twitter.com/JaneMLB/status/674738694209863680">December 9, 2015</a>
</blockquote>
<p>And there have been no rumblings about acquiring an outfielder since the <a href="http://www.athleticsnation.com/2015/12/4/9849462/athletics-mlb-hot-stove-hyun-soo-kim-getting-a-long-look-from-oakland">report by <i>Yonhap News Agency</i></a> about the A's taking a long look at Korean outfielder Hyun-Soo Kim. <a href="http://www.csncalifornia.com/athletics/reports-eyeing-international-prospects-hyun-soo-maeda">CSN California's Joe Stiglich</a> said that Oakland's international efforts in Asia implied "heavy interest in Kim," but couldn't lock down anything concrete. If the A's do make a move to upgrade in left field, the A's could try to trade or simply release Sam Fuld, but that would leave the A's without a backup in center field.</p>
<h4>But you don't really want the A's to make long term free agent commitments</h4>
<p>As <a href="http://www.athleticsnation.com/2015/12/8/9872740/oakland-athletics-prospects-renato-nunez-chad-pinder-joey-wendle-rangel-ravelo-matt-olson">Alex Hall pointed out yesterday</a>, the A's are at a stage where they will soon finally bring up infielders they've drafted or signed on the international market on their own. Signing free agent position players worth a damn require long-term commitments, as <a href="http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/instagraphs/athletics-add-axford-revamp-bullpen-velocity/">FanGraphs' Eno Sarris points out</a> in talking to Billy Beane as to why the A's have focused their free agent dollars on bullpen help:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>[Ryan Madson, Liam Hendriks, and John Axford] will cost the team around $12 million next year, and none is under contract for more than three years. When starting pitchers are getting six and seven years, and 35-year-old second basemen are getting four years and $56 million, this is what it looks like to shop in the bargain aisle these days.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>The A's could trade prospects for improvements to the major league squad, but then we're back to the same old problem with the A's always trading away their position player prospects just as they're about to turn into gold, and it runs counter to what the A's <a href="http://www.sfchronicle.com/athletics/article/A-s-front-office-focused-on-future-6427586.php?t=721353e06f3d4cb4da&cmpid=twitter-premium">have been saying pretty much since the trade deadline</a>,<a href="http://www.sfchronicle.com/athletics/article/A-s-front-office-focused-on-future-6427586.php?t=721353e06f3d4cb4da&cmpid=twitter-premium"> </a>"What we probably won't do is use prospects for acquisitions."</p>
<p>So instead we will wait because<a href="http://www.athleticsnation.com/2015/12/8/9872740/oakland-athletics-prospects-renato-nunez-chad-pinder-joey-wendle-rangel-ravelo-matt-olson"> there's an entire infield getting primed to be promoted</a> in the next year or two between <span>Rangel Ravelo</span>, <span>Renato Nunez</span>, Joey Wendle, <span>Chad Pinder</span>, and <span>Matt Olson</span>.</p>
<p>If you believe one version of the 2015 narrative, that the A's were a .500 skilled team that instead (1) <a href="http://www.foxsports.com/mlb/story/oakland-athletics-as-sean-doolittle-bullpen-relievers-hot-stove-free-agency-al-west-120415">caught horrible breaks out of a horrifically unclutch bullpen</a>, (2) spiraled because of the <a href="http://www.sfchronicle.com/athletics/article/A-s-look-for-reasons-behind-disappointing-season-6549889.php?t=b12cf94aaf3d4cb4da&cmpid=twitter-premium">worst team chemistry longtime team employees have ever seen</a>, and (3) were beset by an <a href="http://www.athleticsnation.com/2015/9/16/9337941/athletics-call-up-barry-zito-cody-martin-jesse-chavez-dl">impossible set of injuries to key contributors</a> such that they were starting literally <span>Barry Zito</span> at the end of the year, then the A's will have addressed at least two of the parts that are the most within their control by adding four new relievers and<a href="http://www.sfchronicle.com/athletics/article/More-on-A-s-looming-Brett-Lawrie-deal-John-6685549.php?t=0d027346b23d4cb4da&cmpid=twitter-premium"> trading away Brett Lawrie</a>. They just need a little bit of luck to turn in the other direction (because oh my goodness they deserve it) to return to the postseason, and there's a little bit of money left to make another addition.</p>
<p>If you believe another version of the 2015 narrative, that the A's were just 68-win load of terribleness independent of those reasons, then this is a rebuilding year for you as you wait for the prospects in Triple-A to be ready, because the A's won't pay to just buy the 20-win improvement you want in one year no matter how much you kick and scream and demand John Fisher throw his fortune into the team or sell. There was nothing to be done because anything else would have blocked homegrown prospects from promotions.</p>
<p>And that's really it. You either felt like the club just got some of the worst luck of all time or they were so far away from contention that they should gear up for 2017, instead. The "rebuild" or "reload" or "retool" or whatever you want to call it looks the same, either way.</p>
https://www.athleticsnation.com/2015/12/9/9881862/next-moves-oakland-athletics-after-brett-lawrie-trade-and-signing-all-the-relieversJeremy F. Koo2015-12-09T20:19:50-08:002015-12-09T20:19:50-08:00Lawrie trade not end of Josh Donaldson deal, but most painful miss
<figure>
<img alt="Josh Donaldson celebrates winning the American League Division Series against the Texas Rangers." src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/ob0x4BtrzjvqQlYBRCqYw0y042M=/680x456:3888x2595/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/47842555/GettyImages-492686364.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Josh Donaldson celebrates winning the American League Division Series against the Texas Rangers. | Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>The Athletics are done with Brett Lawrie after one year in Oakland, and it's doubtful the other pieces of that deal can make up for what A's fans have been through this season.</p> <p>I <a href="https://twitter.com/jfkooAN/status/674476662105378816">pondered a thought last night</a> as the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.athleticsnation.com/">Oakland Athletics</a> appeared to be poised to throw in the towel on <span>Brett Lawrie</span> and his "<a href="http://www.sfchronicle.com/athletics/article/A-s-White-Sox-push-pause-on-Brett-Lawrie-deal-6687764.php?t=bf8671ef6c3d4cb4da&cmpid=twitter-premium">go-go-go style and off-the-charts intensity</a>," would so many of us be so mad about last year's <span>Josh Donaldson</span> trade right now if the A's had just dealt Donaldson for five minor leaguers on Black Friday 2014, the black hole at third base be damned, and scuffled to a 68-win season anyway?</p>
<p>There were three other pieces to the Donaldson deal, as you well know. Shortstop or center fielder Franklin Barreto is the top prospect in Oakland's system, is ranked the #18 prospect on MLB.com's list and on a track for promotion in 2017, when he'll show up for spring training just barely allowed to buy a drink. <span>Kendall Graveman</span> joined Oakland's rotation right away and showed flashes of brilliance in just his second professional season; he turns 25 next year. <span>Sean Nolin</span> endured sports hernia surgery and has a big test ahead of him to see whether his fastball velocity can recover.</p>
<p>But Brett Lawrie,<a href="http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/franklin-barreto-the-key-to-the-josh-donaldson-trade/"> even if you can make an argument that he wasn't the most valuable piece of the Josh Donaldson trade</a>, was the most visible, and that's why his tenure in Oakland and his quick trade away for a pair of minor leaguers raises such strong emotions. It is the most visible failure by the front office group that has been entrusted to steward the A's, even if on paper whoever won that Donaldson trade is still to be determined.</p>
<p>Beane and Forst have certainly had their share of misses, but the failures have either been hidden on the farm or come in dribs and drabs. For example, Eric Chavez's injuries were a roller coaster of hope followed by a return trip to the disabled list until he was gone. The players traded to get <span>Matt Holliday</span> and the players acquired when he was traded again had time to succeed quietly in Colorado and fail quietly in Oakland's minor league system, respectively.</p>
<p>But being confronted with Donaldson's MVP campaign as Brett Lawrie flailed away at the plate to 144 strikeouts was a powerful reminder of what was lost every day of the year, an incredible and visceral miss. And for Lawrie's tenure to end with the market value of the most visible piece acquired being two minor league pitchers, not particularly high up any prospect lists, raises grave doubts in the front office's abilities in even the most stalwart Billy Beane adherent.</p>
<p>Graveman, Nolin, Barreto, Wendelken, and Erwin could become grand successes, but Beane's bungle on Lawrie will stick in the minds of A's fans for a long time.</p>
https://www.athleticsnation.com/2015/12/9/9883178/brett-lawries-trade-not-end-of-josh-donaldson-deal-but-painfulJeremy F. Koo2015-12-09T18:10:00-08:002015-12-09T18:10:00-08:00Lawrie dealt to White Sox for 2 minor league pitchers
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/0NWplQph69zT2G2sCrR0R6Hb6Gw=/0x0:3697x2465/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/47841887/usa-today-8794050.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>The <a href="https://www.athleticsnation.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Oakland Athletics</a> have traded infielder <span>Brett Lawrie</span> to the <a href="https://www.southsidesox.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Chicago White Sox</a> for minor league pitchers Jeffrey "J.B." Wendelken and Zack Erwin, <a href="https://twitter.com/Athletics/status/674771839990677504">the A's announced</a>. Wendelken <a href="http://www.southsidesox.com/2015/11/20/9769204/article">was added to the 40-man roster last month</a> to protect him from the Rule 5 Draft, so the A's remain at 38 players counting against the 40-man roster, pending the official signings of <span>Ryan Madson</span> and <span>John Axford</span>.</p>
<p><span>J.B. Wendelken</span>, turning 23 next season, is a right-handed reliever who advanced to Triple-A after a strong Double-A campaign. He was drafted as by the <a href="https://www.overthemonster.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Boston Red Sox</a> in the 13th round of the 2012 Draft at age 19. In Double-A he struck out 56 and walked 11 in 43 innings before his promotion and had a 2.72 ERA. In his first stint in Triple-A he struck out 13 and walked five in 16 innings and had a 4.50 ERA.</p>
<p>Zack Erwin, 21, was Chicago's 4th round selection in the 2015 draft and was paid a $508,000 bonus, matching the slot allotted to the 112th overall pick. Some scouting notes from Chris Kusiolek on the left-handed starter:</p>
<p>
<script charset="utf-8" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script>
</p>
<blockquote lang="en" class="twitter-tweet">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Liked Zack Erwin some in Instructs. Loose, quick arm; strong drive, deceptive. Heavy fastball, good feel for CB, dive to CH <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Athletics?src=hash">#Athletics</a></p>
— Chris Kusiolek (@CaliKusiolek) <a href="https://twitter.com/CaliKusiolek/status/674773056544370688">December 10, 2015</a>
</blockquote>
<p>
<script charset="utf-8" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script>
</p>
<blockquote lang="en" class="twitter-tweet">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Erwin is a slighter dude, fairly narrow hips with long levers. Has a lot of feel and athleticism, potential 5 rotation arm</p>
— Chris Kusiolek (@CaliKusiolek) <a href="https://twitter.com/CaliKusiolek/status/674773875884818432">December 10, 2015</a>
</blockquote>
<p>In 15 games between the Rookie-level Pioneer League and Low-A South Atlantic League, Erwin struck out 30 and walked seven in 40 1/3 innings with a 1.34 ERA.</p>
https://www.athleticsnation.com/2015/12/9/9882840/oakland-as-trade-brett-lawrie-to-chicago-white-sox-reports-sfJeremy F. Koo2015-12-09T13:31:00-08:002015-12-09T13:31:00-08:00Different Lawrie scenarios in play, says Rosenthal
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/kGPV0ILe6KZR9z9tkrllWml6QYw=/57x0:4513x2971/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/47840615/usa-today-8564820.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Ken Rosenthal and Chris Cotillo report that a deal with the White Sox isn't there yet, and Rosenthal says different scenarios could still be in play.</p> <p>While the <a href="https://www.athleticsnation.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Oakland Athletics</a> appear to still be trying to work out a deal to trade <span>Brett Lawrie</span> to the <a href="https://www.southsidesox.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Chicago White Sox</a>, they have not ruled out other possibilities. Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports, reporting from the Winter Meetings in Nashville:</p>
<p>
<script src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-partner="tweetdeck">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Source: <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Athletics?src=hash">#Athletics</a> still pondering options with Lawrie. No deal with <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WhiteSox?src=hash">#WhiteSox</a> yet. Different scenarios in play.</p>
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) <a href="https://twitter.com/Ken_Rosenthal/status/674696733323042817">December 9, 2015</a>
</blockquote>
<p>The market for second and third basemen remains fluid today after the <a href="https://www.amazinavenue.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Mets</a> traded <span>Jonathon Niese</span> to the <a href="https://www.bucsdugout.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Pirates</a> for second baseman <span>Neil Walker</span>, presumably foreclosing a reunion with free agent <span>Daniel Murphy</span>. The Mets moved to obtain the second baseman after Ben Zobrist finalized a deal to sign with the Cubs and rejected a deal with the Mets, and the Yankees traded for the Cubs' Starlin Castro in the wake of the Zobrist signing.</p>
<p>As for the White Sox, <a href="http://www.mlbdailydish.com/2015/12/9/9877234/white-sox-brett-lawrie-athletics">SB Nation's Chris Cotillo reports</a> that, "Despite reports that the sides were close to a deal as of late Tuesday, no deal has been agreed upon and the sides remain at work." Late Tuesday night, the<a style="background-color: #ffffff;" href="http://www.sfchronicle.com/athletics/article/A-s-will-add-starter-maybe-another-reliever-6685044.php?t=4c99298bec3d4cb4da&cmpid=twitter-premium"> <i>San Francisco Chronicle</i>'s Susan Slusser reported</a>, "Lawrie was close to being moved to the White Sox for two minor leaguers late Tuesday night. According to two big-league sources at the winter meetings, the teams were still discussing names for the return portion, but the Lawrie part was essentially settled."</p>
<p>Just spitballing here, but it seems the Pirates could use a second baseman now. Who knows if they're a late competitor for Lawrie's services?</p>
<p><b>UPDATE 1:52 PM: </b>It appears the focus of discussion is still with the White Sox:</p>
<p>
<script src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-partner="tweetdeck">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Athletics?src=hash">#Athletics</a>, White Sox still talking Lawrie, but it's been a struggle agreeing on prospects that would go to Oak, I'm told.</p>
— Joe Stiglich (@JoeStiglichCSN) <a href="https://twitter.com/JoeStiglichCSN/status/674706945207615488">December 9, 2015</a>
</blockquote>
<p><b>UPDATE 2:34 PM:</b> Stiglich follows up his tweeted report<a href="http://www.csncalifornia.com/athletics/source-white-sox-hit-snag-trade-talks-lawrie"> with a dispatch from the Winter Meetings</a>, saying "The A's and White Sox continued discussing a Brett Lawrie trade Wednesday afternoon, but it doesn't appear a sure thing that a deal gets done between the sides ... It's not out of the question the A's could try to engage other teams in trade talks, though a general feeling remains that a deal with the Sox could come to fruition."</p>
<p><b>UPDATE 3:35PM:</b> A's general manager David Forst addressed Oakland beat writers:</p>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Forst on whether more moves at Meetings: "we've spent all day working on it & all day yesterday. It won't be for lack of trying."</p>
— Joe Stiglich (@JoeStiglichCSN) <a href="https://twitter.com/JoeStiglichCSN/status/674729478325714945">December 9, 2015</a>
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<p><b>UPDATE 3:41PM:</b> With the hold up on Lawrie, the White Sox may be turning their attention to Reds third baseman Todd Frazier:</p>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WhiteSox?src=hash">#WhiteSox</a> have been linked to multiple 3B possibilities this week and it would seem that's still case, not just Brett Lawrie.</p>
— Dan Hayes (@CSNHayes) <a href="https://twitter.com/CSNHayes/status/674734495896117248">December 9, 2015</a>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Hearing White Sox are in on Reds 3B Todd Frazier. Reds are asking for more than White Sox are willing to give up. Price has to come down.</p>
— Chuck Garfien (@ChuckGarfien) <a href="https://twitter.com/ChuckGarfien/status/674734473674641408">December 9, 2015</a>
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https://www.athleticsnation.com/2015/12/9/9881578/oakland-as-trade-rumors-different-brett-lawrie-scenarios-still-inJeremy F. Koo2015-12-08T21:48:00-08:002015-12-08T21:48:00-08:00A's-White Sox close to Lawrie trade for 2 minor leaguers
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<figcaption>Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>The <i>San Francisco Chronicle</i>'s Susan Slusser reports that trade talks regarding infielder <span>Brett Lawrie</span> are heating up:</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">The <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Athletics?src=hash">#Athletics</a> are in serious discussions with the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WhiteSox?src=hash">#WhiteSox</a> on a Brett Lawrie deal, a big league source tells me.</p>
— Susan Slusser (@susanslusser) <a href="https://twitter.com/susanslusser/status/674462562558283776">December 9, 2015</a>
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<p>In <a href="http://www.sfchronicle.com/athletics/article/A-s-will-add-starter-maybe-another-reliever-6685044.php?t=4c99298bec3d4cb4da&cmpid=twitter-premium">her full story</a>, Slusser says, "Lawrie was close to being moved to the White Sox for a pair of minor leaguers late Tuesday night."</p>
<p>By Tuesday morning,<a href="http://www.athleticsnation.com/2015/12/8/9872232/oakland-as-trade-rumors-brett-lawrie-market-ebbing-forst-on-sonny"> the Angels, Tigers, and Indians were said</a> to be exploring options other than Lawrie. The thought that Lawrie could be a fit with the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.pinstripealley.com/">Yankees</a> went away after New York acquired <span>Starlin Castro</span> from the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/">Cubs</a> in the afternoon. The <a href="https://www.southsidesox.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">White Sox</a> were the last of the five teams reportedly connected to Lawrie discussions.</p>
<p><b>UPDATE 12/9 8:45AM:</b> The clubs are still working out the terms of a deal to trade Brett Lawrie to the White Sox this morning, Slusser tweets:</p>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Sounds as if <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WhiteSox?src=hash">#WhiteSox</a> not quite ready to pull the trigger on a Lawrie deal with <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Athletics?src=hash">#Athletics</a> but sides still working on it.</p>
— Susan Slusser (@susanslusser) <a href="https://twitter.com/susanslusser/status/674623753322672131">December 9, 2015</a>
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<p>MLB.com's Phil Rogers added earlier this morning:</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">It's unclear who <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WhiteSox?src=hash">#WhiteSox</a> would send to Oakland for Brett Lawrie. But OFs Avisail Garcia, Trayce Thompson, Adam Engel, Jacob May in talks.</p>
— Phil Rogers (@philgrogers) <a href="https://twitter.com/philgrogers/status/674575811496828928">December 9, 2015</a>
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<p><b>UPDATE 12/9 12:52 PM:</b> From SB Nation's Chris Cotillo:</p>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Source on Brett Lawrie-to-White Sox rumors: "Not done." So there's that.</p>
— Chris Cotillo (@ChrisCotillo) <a href="https://twitter.com/ChrisCotillo/status/674692753717141504">December 9, 2015</a>
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<p><i>This is a developing news story. Check back for further details</i>.</p>
https://www.athleticsnation.com/2015/12/8/9877160/oakland-as-trade-rumors-brett-lawrie-talks-with-white-sox-at-seriousJeremy F. Koo2015-12-08T11:03:00-08:002015-12-08T11:03:00-08:00Lawrie market ebbing, A's Forst on Gray, and more
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<figcaption>Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>The Athletics continue to explore the market in trading one of their infielders, plus general manager David Forst comments again on Sonny Gray trade rumors and other A's news from the Winter Meetings.</p> <p>At least three of the four teams known to have made inquiries regarding <a href="https://www.athleticsnation.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Oakland Athletics</a> infielder <span>Brett Lawrie</span> have not been a match for the A's so far. First, after the <a href="http://www.ocregister.com/articles/lawrie-695122-looking-nashville.html"><i>Orange County Register</i>'s Jeff Fletcher reported</a> the <a href="https://www.halosheaven.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Angels</a>' interest in Lawrie on Monday, reports since then have said things just aren't a fit. Susan Slusser of the <i>San Francisco Chronicle</i>:</p>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">I'm hearing that while the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Angels?src=hash">#Angels</a> may have called on Brett Lawrie, they don't have a ton of interest now.</p>
— Susan Slusser (@susanslusser) <a href="https://twitter.com/susanslusser/status/674056064376025090">December 8, 2015</a>
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<p><a href="http://www.csncalifornia.com/athletics/source-trading-lawrie-angels-appears-unlikely">CSN California's Joe Stiglich reports</a> that the Angels did discuss Lawrie, "but it doesn't appear Los Angeles could offer a return package to Oakland's liking." The <a href="https://www.blessyouboys.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Detroit Tigers</a> were also said to have interest in<a style="background-color: #ffffff;" href="http://www.sfchronicle.com/athletics/article/A-s-add-Ryan-Madson-to-bullpen-talking-to-6680030.php?t=ec9feb486a3d4cb4da&cmpid=twitter-premium"> Slusser's original report on Monday</a>, but Stiglich says, "Detroit flirted with the idea of trying to acquire Lawrie but nothing has come of it."</p>
<p>The Angels and Tigers were probably the least likely of the quartet to make Lawrie a priority anyway. Fletcher's report indicates that the Angels are making re-signing <span>David Freese</span> their top priority at third base. The Tigers have a young but underperforming third baseman waiting for a breakout year of their own in Nick Casteallanos.</p>
<p>This morning, however, ESPN's Buster Olney adds that the <a href="https://www.letsgotribe.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Cleveland Indians</a> don't appear to be a match either:</p>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">A's have been talking with other teams about Brett Lawrie, but Indians/Angels probably aren't natural landing spots at this point.</p>
— Buster Olney (@Buster_ESPN) <a href="https://twitter.com/Buster_ESPN/status/674247668974149632">December 8, 2015</a>
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<p>That leaves the <a href="https://www.southsidesox.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Chicago White Sox</a>, and they've shown no signs that they're going to stand pat at third base:</p>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">.<a href="https://twitter.com/whitesox">@whitesox</a> mgr Robin Ventura on the infield: "That's why we're down here. ...Third base has always been something for us to find." <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/HighHeat?src=hash">#HighHeat</a></p>
— MLB Network PR (@MLBNetworkPR) <a href="https://twitter.com/MLBNetworkPR/status/674290474169974785">December 8, 2015</a>
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<p>White Sox general manager Rick Hahn <a href="http://www.csnchicago.com/white-sox/rick-hahn-white-sox-third-base-were-working-it">spoke with CSN Chicago on Monday</a>:</p>
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<p>Hahn's ideal answer would be a long-term third base the team could build around. They haven't identified one of those since Crede, who last played on Sept. 2, 2008.</p>
<p>But the reality is the type of player he'd love to find isn't available and Hahn is willing to adapt to the market if needed, meaning he'd sign or trade for a shorter-term option.</p>
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<p>Of course, there's still plenty of time for other clubs to join or re-join the discussions or for the A's to not trade Brett at all. It appears Lawrie is literally <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/_Cg1lKt8Kj/?taken-by=blawrie1313" style="background-color: #ffffff;">driving himself up the walls</a> in anticipation.</p>
<h4>No seriously, the A's are not trading <span>Sonny Gray</span>
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<p>Oakland Athletics general manager David Forst reiterated to MLB Network Radio, "It is not our plan to trade Sonny Gray . . . Sonny is very much a centerpiece of our club right now and as soon as you trade a Sonny Gray you spend the next decade looking for him again. He's critical to what we're doing and what we think we can do in 2016:</p>
<p><iframe width="100%" height="300" scrolling="no" frameborder="no" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/236642290&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&visual=true"></iframe></p>
<p>Forst's comments come after <a href="http://www.sfchronicle.com/athletics/article/A-s-must-sign-Sonny-Gray-long-term-or-pay-the-6682457.php?t=eee3203f1a3d4cb4da&cmpid=twitter-premium">Susan Slusser's article</a> in Tuesday's <i>San Francisco Chronicle</i> saying the A's absolutely must sign Sonny Gray to an extension now or else the cost will become too great for the A's to buy out future free agent years. Slusser's sources believe that a six-year deal that would take Gray through the four years of team control plus two years of free agency would range between $52-65 million.</p>
<h4>Ryan Madson signing likely announced today, contract details</h4>
<p>Susan Slusser also says that the A's are likely to announce reliever <span>Ryan Madson's</span> three-year, $22 million deal today. Her paper says the contract breakdown for the games finished bonuses are potentially $1.25 million each year of the deal. In each year, "he would make an additional $250,000 for finishing 30 games, another $250,000 for finishing 35 games, another $250,000 for finishing 40 games and $500,000 for finishing 45 games."</p>
<p><b>UPDATE (12:16PM): </b>MLB.com's Jane Lee says Madson's physical is scheduled for Thursday, conveniently after the morning Rule 5 Draft. Before Madson signs, the A's have 39 players counting against their 40-man roster, and must have a spot open to be able to make a selection during the major league portion:</p>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Hearing Ryan Madson's physical is scheduled for Thursday, so an official announcement on his signing with A's won't come before then.</p>
— Jane Lee (@JaneMLB) <a href="https://twitter.com/JaneMLB/status/674320889220067329">December 8, 2015</a>
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<h4>A's brass meeting beat writers today</h4>
<p>The A's pulled into the Gaylord Opryland Resort in Nashville on Monday night. General manager David Forst and manager Bob Melvin will have media availabilities today, <a href="http://m.athletics.mlb.com/news/article/159051058/athletics-looking-to-day-2-of-winter-meetings">says MLB.com's Jane Lee</a>.</p>
https://www.athleticsnation.com/2015/12/8/9872232/oakland-as-trade-rumors-brett-lawrie-market-ebbing-forst-on-sonnyJeremy F. Koo