The Houston Astros were smacked with a huge punishment today by the MLB. The Houston Astros were handed this suspension due to them stealing signs in their 2017 WS run, in which they won. The Astros had to fire their GM and Manager, were fined $5,000,000, and were stripped their 2020 & 2021, 1st & 2nd Round Picks. This doesn’t seem like a big punishment, but it is. Losing their Manager who was highly respected around the league and was presumed to be a Top 5 Manager in the MLB, is a big hit to this organization. Which, will lead to them not winning as many games and living up to expectations. They already have rotation and bullpen problems. In my eyes, the AL West is wide open and I believe the back to back 97 game winning and 2nd place in the AL West two years in a row, Oakland Athletics can take it.
The A’s won 97 games last season without Ace LHP Sean Manaea, who wasn’t called up until September due to shoulder surgery. They also only had half a season of up & coming Ace RHP Frankie Montas. Hopefully, with full seasons out of these two the A’s can crack 100 wins. Not to mention, reinforcements from No. 10 prospect in the MLB, LHP Jesús Luzardo and No. 31 prospect LHP A.J. Puk.
Lets address the A’s biggest reoccurring problem, pitching. The starting rotation looks to be set with, Manaea, Montas, Luzardo, Fiers, and Puk. Although, I think Puk should be permanently moved to the bullpen to embrace a Josh Hader esque role. Puk would be an amazing arm, he throws absolute heat and combined with his devastating off speed. He can be a very good relief pitcher. He also would be a good option to go to in a tight game in the 8th inning, in a set up man role to Closer Liam Hendricks. Lets go back to the rotation, if Puk is moved to the bullpen it would leave an open spot in the rotation. This is where, Arizona Diamondbacks, LHP Robbie Ray comes in. He is currently being shopped by the team and would be a great addition to the squad. Yes, last season he didn’t put up the best numbers, but remember he pitched his homes games at arguably the most hitter friendly park in the league. If I was in the A’s position, I would give up either 2B Jorge Mateo or Franklin Barreto, along with OF Dustin Fowler and Single A pitcher.
Now with the Rotation set:
1.) LHP Sean Manaea
2.) RHP Frankie Montas
3.) LHP Robbie Ray
4.) RHP Mike Fiers
5.) LHP Jesús Luzardo.
Lets look at the bullpen. Currently it looks pretty much set, led by closer RHP Liam Hendricks. Followed by, RHP Yusmeiro Petit, LHP AJ Puk, RHP Joakim Soria, RHP Chris Bassitt, and LHP Jake Diekman. Soria is bound to have a bounce back season, Bassitt will fill the needed righty long relief role the A’s desperately needed last season, Petit is a work horse, Diekman is a great crafty lefty who can pitch to lefties and righties, and the elite closer Liam Hendricks. Lou Trivino is not listed because depending on his spring training if he improves and goes back to looking like his rookie year, where he posted a 2.2 ERA. If he goes back to looking like last season he will find himself in AAA, fixing and working through his issues. So there is one, possibly two, spots open in the bullpen.
The one spot that is confirmed open, should be filled by a righty arm. First name that come to mind is, Pittsburgh Pirates RHP Keone Kela. Last season he posted a 2.12 ERA, with a 1.2 WAR, 33 SO, 11 BB, and went 2-0. He has been rumored to be on the trade block and would be a perfect fit with the A’s. He is a ground ball pitcher and his play style mixed with the A’s ELITE defensive infield, would be a match made in heaven.
Next, lets say RHP Lou Trivino has a poor spring training and is sent to AAA. The A’s have to fill that bullpen spot. No one better than, Kansas City Royals LHP Tim Hill. Last season he posted a 3.63 ERA, 39 SO, 13 BB, and went 2-0. The Royals didn’t use him correctly last season but he would be a good option for the A’s. The 28 year old, has 5 years of control, he doesn’t hit the free agent market until 2025. The A’s like having long term control of their players.
So let’s look at the bullpen:
CP: R Liam Hendricks
RP: L A.J. Puk
RP: R Yusmeiro Petit
RP: R Keone Kela
RP: R Joakim Soria
RP: R Chris Bassitt
RP: L Jake Diekman
RP: L Tim Hill
That would be a pretty good rotation and bullpen. It would for surely fix the A’s pitching problems and help them win the division.
Finally lets talk about the Lineup. The A’s have a lot of talent in their lineup. 3B Matt Chapman, 1B Matt Olson, SS Marcus Semien, CF Ramón Laureano, and RF Stephen Piscotty. Also, No. 28 prospect in the MLB C Sean Murphy and LF power hitter Mark Canha.
If you didn’t know the MLB expanded the rosters to a 26 man roster vs 25 man. So let’s talk about the lineup.
Lineup:
1.) R SS Marcus Semien
2.) R 3B Matt Chapman
3.) L Matt Olson
4.) R DH Khris Davis
5.) R CF Ramón Laureano
6.) R LF Mark Canha
7.) R RF Stephen Piscotty
8.) R 2B Chad Pinder
9.) R C Sean Murphy
Bench:
IF R Franklin Barreto
C L Austin Allen
OF/1B L Seth Brown
UTL L Tony Kemp
I really like this lineup. Lots of power, contact, and speed. I really think this is going to be a successful lineup. Lots of depth and looks very well rounded. I really like C Sean Murphy, great defense and athletiscm. Hits for power and great contact, the kid is a stud.
All in all, how do you think the A’s will do this season? I think 100+ wins and has a good chance to take the AL West.
Thanks for reading,
-Matthew Kalinowski
4th and Short Sports 