Oakland A's: Willingham and Matsui Playing Themselves into Contract Extensions

The A’s secured their first road series victory since May with a win over the Tampa Bay Rays on Sunday. Josh Willingham and Hideki Matsui were at the forefront of the victory, combining to hit two home runs and driving in three of the A’s runs in a 5-4 win. Willingham and Matsui have been monsters at the plate since the All-Star break, and their play warrants contract extensions.

Josh Willingham is hitting .273 since the break, and he’s driven in 19 runs and homered six times in just 77 at bats. Willingham joined the A’s in an offseason trade from the Nationals and is playing on a one-year contract worth $6 million. 

If Willingham can prove he can stay healthy for the remainder of the year, it seems likely the A’s will and should try to re-sign him. Willingham has made overtures about wanting to stay in Oakland. Given the A’s lack of power, keeping the 32-year old Willingham would be a prudent move for the A’s.

Hideki Matsui has been on fire since the middle of July. Matsui has a .451 average with five home runs and 22 RBI in that time span. Matsui joined the A’s a free agent before the beginning of the season, and after a horrible start, he has respectable season numbers of a .267 average, 11 home runs and 56 RBI.

Matsui will be 38 next year and is on the downhill of his career. But if he can finish the season strong, he could earn himself another year in the green and gold. The A’s system will probably need another gap year before talent like Adrian Cardenas, Brandon Allen and Michael Taylor can be difference makers. Matsui could be a solid veteran to retain until youth prevails.

Both Willingham and Matsui are deserving of contracts for the 2012 season, the only question is if the A’s will oblige. I believe the A’s will make a strong effort to keep Willingham; he’s relatively young and has shown he can still hit for power, with 9-of-17 home runs this year playing in the O.co.  

If Willingham could stay healthy for an entire season, it’s feasible he could challenge for 30 home runs and 100 RBI in a season. A realistic contract to offer Willingham would be two years at $15 million with a club option for a third year.

Matsui’s future in Oakland is cloudier. He has shown he is still a professional hitter and a good marketing tool for the A’s sales department. Matsui’s age is potentially a problem, but any sort of 2012 season similar to 2011 would be acceptable by A’s standards.

With David DeJesus likely on the way out, and Matsui’s ability to play the outfield, he still has value to the franchise. Matsui is, in my mind, a better outfielder than Willingham, who I believe should be transitioned to first or DH. Matsui deserves another one-year contract, valued around $5 million.

It’s very tough to read the A’s front office, and Billy Beane always has the wheels turning for better or for worse. An A’s 2012 outfield of Matsui, Willingham, Coco Crisp, Sweeney and Michael Taylor (not all at once) could be a solid corps.

This Article is also featured on Bayseball.com