A’s Running Out Of Options

Think Billy Beane is ready to hit the panic button yet?

If he’s not, then I sure am. The A’s have missed out on Adam Dunn, Lance Berkman and are approaching their negotiating deadline with Japanese pitcher Hishashi Iwakuma. The team non-tendered Jack Cust, and Edwin Encarnacion, suggesting that the team thought they’d have a chance at Berkman this week. Unfortunately for the A’s, however, Berkman decided to return to the NL with the St. Louis Cardinals.

It’s become very clear that the A’s are running out of options. The team needs to address their lack of power on offense, but with Dunn and Berkman already off the table, the team will likely look elsewhere for power. Possible targets could include Hideki Matsui, who was on Oakland’s radar last offseason, and possibly Vladimir Guerrero among others.

The A’s main target still remains, however, 3B Adrian Beltre. Beltre has openly said that he would love to return to Boston, but with Boston’s recent acquisition of 1B Adrian Gonzalez, Beltre might not be in the team’s plans any longer. The A’s, who have neither confirmed nor denied their offer of five-years and $64 million to Beltre, are likely to go after Beltre even more now that the market appears to be running dry.

According to Susan Slusser of the SF Chronicle, the A’s are more likely to address their offensive needs through free agency rather than through trades. The team has already dealt pitcher Vin Mazzaro and OF Rajai Davis this offseason.

The A’s are clearly running out of options. Let’s hope Beane & Co. thinks of something during this year’s winter meetings…