2017/18 Off-season Oulfook--Oakland A's
Nov 18, 2017 12:05:19 GMT -5
Chicago Cubs, Oakland Athletics, and 1 more like this
Post by Colorado Rockies on Nov 18, 2017 12:05:19 GMT -5
I will be attempting (this a key word here) to do off-season outlooks starting with the team with the lowest win percentage and ending with the Indians. Other are welcome to fill in and make this a community effort to get all teams covered.
- 2017 season review--
Record- 31-131 - The A’s seemed to start the season in rebuild mode from beginning starting with a draft that left many of the other GM’s wondering if the A’s had a plan and how long the owner would last in the league. After a draft that possibly did not go as planned, the A’s were very busy in the trade market and throughout the season acquired a very impressive core of young not-ready-for-prime-time talent.
- Off-season outlook-
Salary cap info:
Committed 2018--71.2 M
Remaining - 93.8 M
Of the 71.2M committed to the 2018 roster, over 40M of that is committed to 2 players--Bryce Harper and David Wright.
2. Lack of Depth--While the A’s seem to have a nice young group of offensive starters, there isn’t any depth in case of injuries or lack of production.
3. Currently the A's are without a 1B. There are several good FA 1B, but will the A's be willing to pay what is needed for the older players and do they even need to as they do not seem likely to contend this year.
Committed 2018--71.2 M
Remaining - 93.8 M
Of the 71.2M committed to the 2018 roster, over 40M of that is committed to 2 players--Bryce Harper and David Wright.
- Team Strengths--
1. Youth--with young players such as Yoan Moncada, Victor Robles, Franklin Barreto, Matt Chapman, Derek Fisher expected to start, or be up sooner rather than later, the A’s should see an improvement beginning this year
2. The GM has show a willingness to work through lean years to build for the future.
- Team Weakness--
1. Pitching--Pitching is what wins championships and the A’s don’t have much here. Outside of German Marquez, and any pitcher from the Rockies come with questions, there isn’t much too look forward to. They do have a lot of young, promising prospects but they all seem to be 2-3 years away.
2. Lack of Depth--While the A’s seem to have a nice young group of offensive starters, there isn’t any depth in case of injuries or lack of production.
3. Currently the A's are without a 1B. There are several good FA 1B, but will the A's be willing to pay what is needed for the older players and do they even need to as they do not seem likely to contend this year.
- If 2017 was any indication expect to see A’s management active in the trade and FA market. One of the first moves the A’s would be expected to make is to clear up even more salary by releasing or buying out David Wright’s contract. With the A’s seemingly committed to building for the future I wouldn’t expect them to pursue many big ticket, if any, FA or salaries through trades; but to try and fill their roster with cheaper veterans or younger players until their young talent is ready to take over.
- 2018 Outlook-- It will be hard to be as bad a last season and there is nowhere to go but up. Would still expect them to be well under .500 but closer to 60 wins than 30.
