No Coming Back: The A's will likely pass up on the opportunity to bring back David DeJesus next year (Photo Credit: Jose Sanchez/AP)

The A’s made a conscious effort last winter to upgrade their offense and adding veteran outfielder David DeJesus seemed like a nice way to upgrade the lineup. While GM Billy Beane’s moves looked great on paper, what Beane and the A’s got in return for all of their efforts was a mixed bag of inconsistencies.

Oakland sent over pitchers Vin Mazzaro and Justin Marks for Kansas City’s DeJesus this last winter with the hopes of improving their lineup. He was never going to add much power—Oakland’s biggest need entering the 2011 season—but the team did expect DeJesus to play exceptional defense and contribute as much as he could for the lineup.

Entering this season, DeJesus was a lifetime .289 hitter but had an injury shortened season the year before. He enjoyed success in his time with the Royals, though, and Oakland was hopeful that the veteran outfielder would add depth not only defensively but offensively.

The A’s invested two pitchers for DeJesus, but as most you probably already know, Oakland didn’t get much of a return for their investment. Beane and pretty much everyone else in Oakland was taken aback this year from DeJesus’s epic shortcomings.  (more…)