Oakland Athletics: Biggest Winners and Losers from the Offseason

The Oakland Athletics' offseason has been...busy, to say the least.

After a myriad of moves, fans and analysts continue to debate whether the A's will remain contenders or fail to finish above .500.

Some say they're winners, because doubting Billy Beane is foolish. Others argue they're losers, because the A's did not adequately replace the talent lost.

In all, the team traded away Josh Donaldson, Brandon Moss, Jeff Samardzija and Derek Norris. The A's let a slew of free agents sign elsewhere, and they acquired Brett Lawrie, Ben Zobrist, Tyler Clippard, Marcus Semien and multiple prospects.

As the debate over the team rages on, a few individuals came out as winners this offseason—while others get bumped out of glory.

Honorable Mentions

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Brett Lawrie dramatically decreases the number of games he'll have to play on turf.

Brett Lawrie, winner

Lawrie will no longer have to play home games on turf.

Stephen Vogt, winner

He would have played quite a bit anyway, but now with Norris gone, Vogt plays consistently in one spot—at catcher.

Every prospect now on the 25-man roster, winner

Any guy who ended 2014 in Triple-A beginning 2015 on the 25-man roster is a winner, obviously, because that's the dream—to make the team.

Winner: Marcus Semien

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Oakland acquired Marcus Semien for Jeff Samardzija.

After appearing in 64 games in 2014 with the Chicago White Sox, Marcus Semien has an opportunity to win the starting shortstop role with the Oakland Athletics in 2015.

Semien should feel especially good about this offseason.

First, Semien was the centerpiece of the Jeff Samardzija trade. Not only will the A's give him every chance to start immediately, but Oakland also reaffirmed its faith in the young infielder when it acquired and traded away Yunel Escobar in the span of four days.

From prospect to starter to backup to starter again—Semien is one of the biggest winners of the A's offseason.

Loser: Yunel Escobar

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Yunel Escobar, traded to the A's, was sent to the Nationals four days later.

Yunel Esobar might want to forget this offseason. It hasn't been kind to him.

In 2014, the A's claimed Escobar on waivers. The trade didn't work at the time (coincidentally enough his agent made claims the two sides wouldn't be a fit). Fast forward to the 2014-15 offseason, and the A's acquired Escobar along with Ben Zobrist—this time whether he liked it or not.

Four days later, the A's sent him to the Washington Nationals for Tyler Clippard.

So he's traded. Strike one. And it's to the A's, a team he apparently did not want to join initially. Strike two. Then Oakland trades him less than one week later. Strike three.

Escobar is having a crummy offseason.

Note: He is with the Nationals, who have a solid roster top to bottom, so it's not all that bad in terms of final destination.

Winner: Everyone Who Wanted an Upgrade at Second Base

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Ben Zobrist will likely play second, but he has the versatility to play multiple positions.

Fans rejoice: You got your much desired upgrade at second base.

Eric Sogard held down the fort for two seasons. Now the team will let Ben Zobrist have a shot.

Sogard has a career batting average of .235. He averages four home runs, 35 RBI and walks 35 times per 162 games, according to Baseball-Reference.com. Zobrist's career batting average is .264, with 17 home runs, 78 RBI and 75 walks on average per 162 games.

There's no denying it's an upgrade.

Fans wanted to see a new face, and many specifically wanted Zobrist. They got their guy.

Loser: Eric Sogard (and Andy Parrino)

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Eric Sogard becomes the A's utility infielder once again.

Eric Sogard entered the offseason as the A's second baseman. Now he's the utility infielder with Zobrist in tow.

Sogard has a chance to remain the starter, though.

If the left-field options are a major disappointment, Zobrist could move to the outfield corner, re-opening second base for Sogard. Essentially Sogard would have to outplay Craig Gentry or Sam Fuld.

To make room on the roster, Oakland designated Andy Parrino for assignment.

Parrino cleared waivers and has been invited to A's spring training. So he went from potentially a utility option on the 25-man roster to fighting to stay with the organization all together.

Winner: Billy Butler

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Dude got paid.

After two "down years" and the Kansas City Royals deciding to let their long-time first baseman and designated hitter go, the A's jumped at the chance to sign Country Breakfast.

And sign him they did.

Oakland inked Butler to a three-year, $30 million deal. That's no chump change for a guy who just finished with the lowest on-base percentage of his career.