How the Oakland A's Should Handle Each of Their Big-Name Free Agents
The Oakland A's have a decision to make about nine major free agents this offseason. Well, one of those names has decided to retire, but that could always change. Another is not quite a big name, but he sure seems to be a "fan favorite" (said with heavy sarcasm).
So nine decisions total need to be made.
Most of the determinations should be pretty easy to make. But with the A's, nothing ever seems to come easy, especially when it comes to the roster.
What the team will do, who knows?
But what the team should do, that is a bit more clear.
Daric Barton
1 of 9
Daric Barton came to the A's via trade. The A's sent Mark Mulder to the St. Louis Cardinals and in return received Barton, the future franchise first baseman.
Albert Pujols he was not.
Barton bounced up and down, back and forth between Oakland and Triple-A. He never could produce to expectations (the organization's or the fanbase's). And he never could quite hang on to the starting role.
In the last year or two, he spent the majority of his time in Triple-A. In 2013, he came up as a defensive replacement but was little used.
He's been constantly skipped over by others and was even designated for assignment at one point. No one claimed him, and the A's permanently kept him in Triple-A.
The organization has guys like Anthony Aliotti, Max Muncy and Matt Olson coming up through the system. It has Brandon Moss and Nate Freiman with the big league club. So there is little to no use for Barton anymore.
It's time both sides part ways.
Verdict: Let him walk
Geovany Soto
2 of 9
Geovany Soto was brought in as an emergency.
Derek Norris' back was ailing. Stephen Vogt's foot disallowed him from performing catching duties. John Jaso suffered a concussion. So the A's needed someone bad.
All three catchers should be healthy at the start of the season, so there shouldn't be a need for four.
There's a slim chance Jaso becomes a permanent designated hitter and Vogt gets traded. If that were to happen, the A's should not hesitate to re-sign Soto. However, that's a slim chance.
Verdict: Let him walk (unless Vogt is traded, then definitely re-sign)
Jonny Gomes
3 of 9
In 2012, Jonny Gomes—a career .244 hitter—finished with a batting average of .262. He clubbed 18 home runs and knocked in 47 RBI. And most importantly, he brought chemistry and leadership to the locker room.
Then he left for the Boston Red Sox.
A year-and-a-half later, the Sox traded Gomes back to Oakland. But it wasn't quite as magical as 2012. Gomes, now 33, hit .234 with zero home runs and five RBI. He was hardly used and hardly mentioned.
If the A's hope to compete in 2015, they'll need to add a full-time big bat. Gomes isn't either.
Verdict: Let him walk
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Alberto Callaspo
4 of 9
Fans may debate re-signing Alberto Callaspo heavily. One side would likely say he does not contribute anything. Another may claim he's just a depth guy who can play multiple positions, so that's good enough to re-sign him.
Here are the facts on both.
He can play second base, third and DH. He began learning first base in 2014 as well. So versatile? Yes, sort of. It doesn't matter the position, Callaspo was a below-average defender at every position he played in 2013 and 2014 with the A's.
At the plate, Callaspo finished with the worst season of his career.
He hit .223 with 39 RBI. Using Baseball-Reference.com's "Player Value—Batters" section, Callaspo is in the negatives in nearly every category from number of runs produced compared to the average hitter to WAR.
So he doesn't hit too well. The best thing he has going for him is versatility. But he doesn't field the ball all that well either.
Verdict: Let him walk
Luke Gregerson
5 of 9
Tim Dierkes of MLBTradeRumors.com wrote a fantastic free-agent profile on Luke Gregerson, which can be viewed here.
In the profile, Dierkes points out Gregerson's third-best ERA among free-agent relievers. Also noted is the reliever's 154 holds since 2009—most in baseball.
Dierkes speculates that Gregerson could give a hometown discount to the Chicago White Sox if they call. There are more than a half dozen other suitors listed, not including the Athletics, as well.
Lastly, the expected contract is three years at $20 million total.
There's no doubt Gregerson is talented. The A's would (or should) love to have him back. But they'll have competition. Perhaps it's in their best interest to lock him up quick if they can, because once multiple teams enter the fray, it could be over for Oakland.
Verdict: Absolutely try to re-sign
Jed Lowrie
6 of 9
Check out the pros and cons of re-signing Jed Lowrie here.
Essentially, Lowrie is coming off a down year, which means he could be re-signed for cheap. And the A's don't have another option, so they're going to have to sign a shortstop from somewhere.
That said, there aren't many options available, which could jack up Lowrie's worth.
The re-signing (or not) of Lowrie really depends on Billy Beane's motivation (or lack of motivation) to keep the team together. If they go uber-cheap, then letting Lowrie walk works. If they hope to overachieve, sure, sign him again and hope for the best. If they want to attempt a World Series run, look elsewhere.
Here's what I would do: make a below-average play at him on a one- or two-year deal at shortstop. If anyone wants him more, let the guy walk. Or, I'd make a fair offer for him on the contingency that he switches to second base.
Verdict: Attempt to re-sign him as a second baseman
Jason Hammel
7 of 9
Jason Hammel was one of the biggest disappointments of the year.
In Chicago, Hammel went 8-5 with a 2.98 ERA. He allowed 10 home runs and 23 walks in 17 games. Then he came to the A's in a trade that saw Oakland send two of its top 10 prospects (Addison Russell and Billy McKinney) to the Cubs.
In Oakland, he went 2-6 with a 4.26 ERA. He allowed 13 home runs and 21 walks in 13 games.
In the postseason, after being skipped in the rotation and sent to the bullpen, he faced one batter. He gave up one hit. And that one hit scored the game-winning run for the Kansas City Royals in the Wild Card Game.
Verdict: Let him walk
Jon Lester
8 of 9
Jon Lester is about to get paid.
Will it be by the A's? That is doubtful. But never say never.
There are challenges standing in the way. First, Oakland rarely pays big-time money for free agents. Second, teams with big money, such as the Red Sox, New York Yankees and Chicago Cubs—all three of which need starting pitching—will be after Lester in the offseason. Lastly, Lester's talent will run up his price even more.
So we're talking about a superstar pitcher who will receive top dollar from one of several teams desiring his services.
It's almost not even worth the effort.
Verdict: Take a stab in the dark, but don't get your hopes up (or, just let him walk)
Adam Dunn
9 of 9
The Athletics may not have a choice in the matter of what to do with Adam Dunn. "Big Donkey" announced his retirement after Oakland was eliminated from the playoffs.
Of course, guys always retire, then unretire (sometimes several times).
But even if Dunn decides to continue playing, it doesn't mean he would automatically re-sign with the A's.
Dunn would be limited to DH duties, so it would have to be an American League team. However, it'd have to be a team willing to take a massive risk. Dunn has hit .219 or worse in the last three years while making $44 million.
Top dollar for not much hitting.
In today's world, organizations pay athletes based on what they've done, and there's a certain "respect" factor. So although Dunn won't make $14 million, it's doubtful he makes any less than $7 million for a year…
…if he does not retire.
Verdict: Let him walk
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