Apr 20, 2013; Arlington, TX, USA; Texas Rangers relief pitcher Derek Lowe (55) throws to the Seattle Mariners during the fourth inning at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington. Mandatory Credit: Jim Cowsert-USA TODAY Sports

Lowe was recently designated for assignment by the Texas Rangers to make roster space for Josh Lindblom in their rotation (Lindblom pitched against the A’s Monday night). While Lowe struggled in the time he pitched this season, a 9.00 ERA in 13 innings of relief, last year he pitched extremely effectively as a reliever with the New York Yankees. In 23.2 innings pitched he had a 3.04 ERA. He struggled early on last season as a starter with the Cleveland Indians before being released and eventually signing with the Yankees where he became an excellent cog in the Bronx Bombers pen.

Last season, around this time, the A’s made an under the radar move in acquiring a long reliever from the San Francisco Giants via claim. Though he lasted through last season and barely into this one his impact was tangible and key in the A’s run to the postseason. That man was Travis Blackley. Although he was later designated for assignment and claimed by the Astros Blackley’s importance to the club was almost irreplaceable. However another under the radar move could be made.

The A’s should try and claim Lowe from the Rangers and use him in the same capacity as they did Blackley. The A’s starting pitching has been shaky at points this season and in the games where they leave early the team cannot always rely on Evan Scribner to get the job done. The A’s need someone with starting experience and a veteran presence to hold games as they stand to let the bats get a chance to come back into the game when a starting pitcher exits early on. This where Lowe would fit perfectly into the A’s system and help save the team some roster transactions and depth while also limiting other relievers innings. The veteran presence is just a bonus.

If the A’s were to claim Lowe they would only be on the hook for the veteran minimum. For the amount of experience and talent they would get in return it is beyond worth the risk of Lowe continuing to struggle. Sometimes you need to keep your friends close and your enemies closer. In this case it is time to bring in an old enemy into the fold and hopefully replicate the results of Travis Blackley last season. This might be nothing. Or it might end up being another diamond in the rough for A’s GM Billy Beane to hop on.

August 25, 2012; St. Petersburg, FL, USA; Oakland Athletics center fielder Coco Crisp (4) and center fielder Yoenis Cespedes (52) congratulate each other after they beat the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field. Oakland Athletics defeated the Tampa Bay Rays 4-2. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Yoenis Céspedes and Coco Crisp are the two hitters the A’s need to be healthy if they plan on even making a postseason run. Céspedes was struggling mightily after coming back from a hand injury and Coco just came back from injury. Those two cases caused the A’ struggle the last two weeks and drop them below .500 until the weekend.

Coco in the lineup puts everyone in the order they should be hitting in as well as sets the table for the players behind him to do some damage such as Jed Lowrie, Céspedes, Josh Donaldson, Brandon Moss, etc. He also sees a ton of pitches and has extended at bats. This benefits the rest of the team by being able to see the repertoire of the pitcher as well as getting the pitchers pitch count up. His impact may not be easily seen but it is very tangible to the success of the Green and Gold.

Céspedes has an even bigger impact. The A’s have won over 100 games when Céspedes is in lineup, some 50 games over .500. When he is out of the lineup the A’s are well below the .500 mark. Him being in the lineup causes havoc for opposing pitchers and managers who have to try and carefully pitch around Céspedes without having whoever is hitting around him make them pay. Lately Donaldson has been the benefactor of Céspedes being in the lineup. And if the last couple days of Céspedes production is any foreshadowing of what’s to come, the A’s just might take off as they did in July of last season. Céspedes is the type of player who can carry a team through a rough patch when hot and he looks to be heating up in Texas.

Both these players have a major impact on a relatively unimposing lineup. Their presence alone makes the A’s a better team and causes problems for the opposition. With Coco’s speed and Céspedes’ power the A’s have a one two punch even if it doesn’t go in order. These two players can carry the A’s if they stay healthy which has been a concern so far this season. When healthy however, the A’s are a dangerous contender to repeat as AL West Champions in 2013.

May 10, 2013; Seattle, WA, USA; Oakland Athletics catcher Derek Norris (36) waits for the pitch during the game against the Seattle Mariners at Safeco FIeld. Seattle defeated Oakland 6-3. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-USA TODAY Sports

The main problem starts with Derek Norris. After an 0 for 2 night with a walk Norris’ average has dropped to a dismal .218 and his on base percentage has dropped to .364. Now some may argue the above average on base percentage makes Norris have at least some value offensively. However, when you are a slow base runner and have no one hitting behind you either your value is exponentially diminished.

Coupled with those numbers for Norris comes the more alarming stats that show Norris has become a rally killer. With runners on base Norris is hitting .243. With runners in scoring position he is hitting .263. With the bases loaded Norris has not gotten a hit in his three plate appearances.

The only positive that comes from a Norris at bat it seems is that he averages over four and half pitches per at bat. That accounts for over 14 pitches a game. That is one player costing a pitcher an entire inning worth of pitches on one hitter.

The rest of the lineup behind Norris has been a revolving door of disappointment recently as well. This includes Nate Freiman, Adam Rosales (who has been getting hot in his defense), Eric Sogard, etc. When the top of the lineup is getting on base the bottom of the lineup has to be fundamental in their approach. They need to start getting runners into scoring position or simply moving them up 90 feet closer. Good things happen when runners get on base for most teams, but for the A’s it seems to be a non issue of leaving them stranded. Through 33 games played the A’s had left 233 runners on base good for a Top 10 worst in baseball standing. For a team who has to scratch runs to win leaving men on base at that rate has to change.

The A’s offense, mainly Derek Norris, has struggled as of late. With the pitching staff struggling too the disaster radar is starting to flicker a little. The A’s need the 7-9 hitters to begin to produce. This does not necessarily mean getting on base or driving in runs, though that would be nice obviously. More so this means they need to continue to move runners forward thus giving the top of the lineup the chance to do what they are supposed to do.