The A’s enter the offseason prioritizing starting pitching and helping at one or both of second and third base. They may also be looking for a late-game reliever. Martin Gallegos of MLB.com writes that the A’s will likely target a pitcher who has slot experience.
Manager Mark Kotsay used a committee approach in the ninth inning after the A’s traded Mason Miller on the deadline. Hogan Harris, Sean Newcomb, Michael Kelly And Tyler Ferguson each picked up at least one save. Osvaldo Bido got one too, but that was of the ‘three innings to finish a blowout’ variety.
The patchwork relief group threw well. Only the Guardians had a lower bullpen ERA than the A-rated 2.99 over the past two months. They gave up only three leads, the least of which they tied with Miller’s new team in San Diego in the MLB. Still, it’s understandable that the front office would prefer a more proven arm on the back end.
The quartet of Harris, Kelly, Newcomb and Ferguson had a combined four career saves before August. Newcomb, who had two, is headed to free agency. The A’s don’t have many relievers with any major league experience. They won’t have a single reliever with even two years of MLB service time once Newcomb, José Leclerc And Scott McGough click on free agency.
The A’s attempted to add a proven back-end arm last offseason, signing Leclerc to a one-year deal with a $10 million salary. He would be the team’s best setup man opposite Miller. Leclerc made ten appearances before suffering a shoulder injury that required season-ending surgery. It’s very unlikely he’ll come back. It stands to reason that they will try to retain Newcomb, who pitched to a 1.75 ERA in 51 1/3 innings after being acquired from the Red Sox. He has a chance for a two-year contract after that strong performance, but won’t command much on an annual basis. However, the A’s aren’t going to sign Newcomb as a closer, so there should be room for a bigger move in the ninth.
There is no shortage of free agent relievers with slot experience. The A’s don’t sign Edwin DiazNaturally. It is very unlikely that they will win the bidding Robert Suarez or. Each of Kyle Finnegan, Raisel Iglesias, Emilio Pagan, Kenley Jansen or Ryan Helsley must be within the price range. There is a chance Devin Williams settles for a pillow contract. Each of Seranthony Dominguez, Gregory Soto, Kirby Yates, Taylor Rogers, Paul Sewald And Michael Kopech I also have experience with closing. However, it doesn’t seem likely that anyone from the latter group will sign as a closer this season.
The A’s could have trouble selling some of those pitchers if they sign with a fringe competitor that plays its home games in a hitter-friendly minor league stadium. They don’t need that if they trade for a closer, that’s what players like Pete Fairbanks, JoJo Romero And Dennis Santana could be targets on that front.
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