Oakland Athletics Need the Big Os – Outfield Offense
By Selena Smith
Aug 14, 2014; Kansas City, MO, USA; Oakland Athletics player
Jonny Gomes(15) sits in the dugout during the ninth inning against the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Peter G. Aiken-USA TODAY Sports
There are a few key pieces missing to the puzzle that could be another playoff contending Oakland Athletics team. We’ve previously reviewed their middle infield, now let’s take a look at some possible players that could strengthen the A’s outfield.
Although Coco Crisp has had a nagging neck injury and Josh Reddick got off to a rocky 2014, these two Athletics’ staples look to be set in center and right field respectively for the 2015 season. That leaves left field which was platooned by Jonny Gomes and Brandon Moss in the second half of the past season. While we had high hopes for what Jonny would bring to the clubhouse and team “chemistry” that has become the overused buzz word of the Oakland Athletics’ collapse, he did not produce as expected for the A’s and will be reaching free agency. It makes sense that Oakland would target a hot right-handed bat to fill the void that Gomes will leave.
There are some big name outfielders that should be available for 2015. If Billy Beane and the A’s take a page from their acquisition book they may be looking to do a short-term contract with a proven, although aging bat, as they have in the past. Let’s look at some players who fall into that category.
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One can dream right? The 34 year-old is having a stand out season with the Baltimore Orioles this year batting .271 with career-high 40 HRs and 108 RBIs. His one-year, $8 million contract will be up but since he seems to actually be getting better with age he may command a bigger, multi-year contract.
Another long shot, this career .279 hitter still has it at the age of 35. He’s finishing out a three-year $31.5 million contract with the Colorado Rockies. Cuddyer is a very versatile player, which Oakland seems to love, splitting his time between the infield corners and rightfield. But his undoubtedly hefty price tag will not be on their hit list.
Known as one of the “good guys” around baseball, the 18-year vet is considering retirement after his Detroit Tigers were swept by the Baltimore Orioles in this year’s ALDS. Baseball fans hope that was just the fresh aftertaste of bitter disappointment talking as Torii is still having the career even the elite can only dream of, and at the age of 39. Yes, he would command a pretty penny, but his bat and defense would be worth it for the Oakland Athletics, and to play with what should be another promising A’s team may entice Hunter since a World Series ring has eluded him. So as Jen Rainwater said in her article about the All-Star outfielder, “Keep swinging that bat, maybe even bring it over to Oakland for a short while.”
The 38-year old New York Yankee did not see much playing time in 2014 and only batted .221, but he may be just what Oakland is looking for when it comes to a player who can offer even the thought of a threat in the lineup. Soriano can still bring power to the lineup and he is thought to be a bargain come this offseason.
The former Athletic has not had the best of seasons these last two years but back in 2012 he hit 35 homeruns. Oakland seems to find a way to repurpose and wisely use players seemingly past their prime, so maybe they can do the same with Josh Willingham.
While fans can hope the A’s would spring for one of the players in the top half of this list, we realize that just is not Oakland’s style. But the latter two names aren’t too shabby and they may provide just what Oakland needs to continue to make noise with the big payrolls in the American League West next season.