Sep 26, 2011; Seattle, WA, USA; Oakland Athletics first baseman Chris Carter (22) waits for the pitch during the game against the Seattle Mariners at Safeco Field. Seattle defeated Oakland 4-2. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-US PRESSWIRE

As most of you probably know, the A’s designated Adrian Cardenas for assignment last week. Cardenas, 24, was a victim of the organization’s uncertainty. It’s not like Cardenas is a terrible player, it’s just that the A’s don’t know where exactly he fits in. He definitely doesn’t fit in at second, with that spot now belonging to Jemile Weeks.

Perhaps third base you say? Well, not likely. Scott Sizemore is the king of the hot corner for now until the A’s can find someone else to anchor the position. Cardenas could play in the outfield, but the A’s currently have a very crowded outfield corp right now. Guys like Coco Crisp, Jonny Gomes, Josh Reddick, Seth Smith, and Michael Taylor are all vying for playing time in the outfield.

Sadly, Cardenas is the odd man out. While the team’s top-brass contends that they’d love to keep Cardenas, the A’s simply don’t seem to have a spot for the 24-year old. For those of you wondering how he performed last year, Cardenas hit .314/.374/.418 with 5 HR and 51 RBIs.

Stephen Parker, though, may find a spot with the team in the coming years. Jane Lee of MLB.com takes a look at Parker’s future with the franchise and says that Parker’s power potential is definitely there. Power, for the A’s, anyway, is a scarce commodity. The team lacks power, but as Lee notes in her quick evaluation of Parker, the team wouldn’t be wrong for looking to add to their list of third base prospects. (more…)

Future Is Now: Will Michael Taylor claim his spot in Oakland's Outfield in 2012? (Photo Credit: Chris Lockard/Scout.com)

Oakland figures to go “young” this season, with many young players getting an opportunity to showcase their skills in 2012. One of those players could be outfielder Michael Taylor, who was acquired by Oakland during that massive Cliff Lee-Roy Halladay trade a few years ago.

Taylor, who hasn’t exactly been the player Oakland envisioned when they acquired him, could get a shot in a depleted Oakland outfield. The A’s have already lost starter David DeJesus to free agency, and the team is bracing for the potential losses of Josh Willingham and Coco Crisp.

The A’s acquired prospect Colin Cowgill in the Trevor Cahill trade on Friday, but even with Cowgill, the A’s could still benefit from having a few more choices in the outfield next year.

Many people around baseball consider Cowgill, who hit an impressive .354/.430/.554 with 13 HR and 70 RBIs with Arizona’s Triple-A club, as an extra outfielder, not an everyday starter.

At this point, though, the A’s will likely give everyone a shot at starting next year. Taylor, in my mind, remains the most interesting option for Oakland, though. (more…)

DeJesus’s departure most likely means Oakland has no interest in retaining their free agents this winter and will probably look for in-house help next season. Players like Ryan Sweeney, Jai Miller, and Michael Taylor are all vying for playing time and with open spots in the outfield it’s expected that they’ll get a chance to play in 2012.

Aside from those three players, Oakland has another potential player to add to their outfield mix in 2012: Jermaine Mitchell. Mitchell, 27, was selected in the fifth-round of the 2006 June Amateur Draft by the A’s, and has quietly emerged as an outfield option for the power-hungry Athletics.  (more…)