Oakland Athletics: 5 Moves the A's Must Make by Opening Day

With Opening Day just around the corner, Major League Baseball teams have less than two months to solve issues regarding their rosters.

For some, it's filling voids through free agency. For others, like say the Oakland Athletics, it's less about completing the roster and more about finalizing positions with who they have.

The A's currently lack in monetary status. The franchise's hand is forced to propose solutions to many positional needs by looking internally. Luckily, there are several options at numerous positions already.

Now it's just about figuring out which young talent receives the opportunity this year over the rest of the competition.

Free agents, internal options and starters versus role players. Here are five areas the Oakland A's must address before March 28.

Sign a Veteran Presence

Bartolo Colon is not the veteran presence I'm talking about.

The Oakland Athletics need a veteran hitter. The A's especially need one who can flash power in the way Hideki Matsui did last year.

There are multiple options in this category. The A's are reportedly interested in Magglio Ordoñez and Manny Ramirez. Other options include Vladimir Guerrero or re-signing Matsui.

Not only does a signing like this help the lineup, it will help fill seats in a time of desperation for Oakland. The bigger the star power, the better. Even if it comes with head-shaking publicity, any publicity is good publicity at this point.

The trick will be finding someone who will accept a low deal.

The move to make: Sign Manny.

Shore Up First Base

The Oakland Athletics must figure out first base.

Daric Barton began the 2011 season as the starting first baseman. After three months of hitting for a .212 average, Barton was sent down to Triple-A affiliate Sacramento. In five seasons, Barton had a batting average of .252 BA, with five home runs and 31 RBI. It's nearly time to declare Barton a bust.

Brandon Allen finished the season at first. His .202 average wasn't much better, and now Allen may be on the move.

Other options include Chris Carter, who hasn't cracked the Mendoza Line in his young career yet, and newly acquired Kila Ka'aihue.

Perhaps if none of these options work out, free agent and nearby Sacramento native Derrek Lee deserves a shot.

The move to make: If Allen is traded, give more time to Carter.

Pick a Closer

After Andrew Bailey succumbed to injuries during the 2011 season, former manager Bob Geren seemingly used a different closer every game.

Brian Fuentes received the most opportunities, though the pitcher struggled heavily. Fuentes finished 2011 with a 2-8 record, 3.70 ERA and three blown saves.

Grant Balfour may be given the chance. Balfour had a decent season with a 2.47 ERA and a 3:1 strikeout to walk ratio. Unfortunately in seven opportunities to save a game, Balfour was only successful twice.

Other options include Fautino de los Santos (0-2 on save opportunities), Joey Devine (0-1) and Jerry Blevins.

The move to make: Give it to Balfour consistently.

Order the Starting Five Pitchers

Last year's starting five was made up of Dallas Braden, Brett Anderson, Trevor Cahill and Gio Gonzalez. Tyson Ross and Brandon McCarthy contributed in the fifth spot.

Braden is hoping to return by Opening Day. Anderson is recovering from injury and likely will not return until midseason, if not longer. Cahill and Gonzalez have been traded.

There are currently 20 pitchers on the 40-man roster, with only about seven of them being bullpen pitchers for certain.

One could assume if Braden is healthy by Opening Day, he'll likely re-assume his role as the ace. After Braden, we will likely see Brandon McCarthy and Bartolo Colon. Afterwards, there's 10 men left to fill two spots.

The 10 include Tyson Ross, Brad Peacock, and Jarrod Parker to name a few.

The move to make: Braden, McCarthy, Colon, Ross and Parker.

Put Grant Green on the Big League Roster

Oakland Athletics prospect Grant Green needs a shot at the big leagues.

Drafted in 2009 as a shortstop, Green has spent three years in the minor leagues. He'll likely start the season in Triple-A affiliate Sacramento, but because the Athletics mirror a minor league team already, Green might as well get a look.

The A's have incumbents Cliff Pennington at short and Scott Sizemore at third base. Pennington had a nice 2011 campaign, but is still only an average shortstop.

In case an infielder goes down with an injury, the current options are Eric Sogard and Adam Rosales. None of them are better options than Pennington, so they can't be considered long-term replacements.

If Grant Green is the long-term solution, it's time we see what he can do. The beauty of the move is that if he doesn't pull a Jemile Weeks (earn a starting role during injury fill-in) or get enough at-bats, he can always be sent back down.

The move to make: Green as the backup infielder.