The Amazin A’s

Before I begin, I want to go back to the year 2012 when coming into the season expectations were low as the A’s had had many losing seasons in the years before and were not predicted to challenge, let alone win the division.  However, the A’s managed to defy the odds and shock the baseball universe by making a magical second half comeback in which they ascended up the standings of the Al west and then wound up winning the division on the last day of the season when they beat the Texas Rangers. This team was just a bunch of spare parts that down the stretch combined breakout talent, luck, and excellent team chemistry to make the playoffs. The team was led by mainstays Coco Crisp, Grant Balfour, and Josh Reddick in addition to breakout stars first baseman Brandon Moss, third basemen Josh Donaldson, and the Cuban sensation Yoenis Cespedes. Cespedes in particular began to get league-wide acclaim with his prodigious power, fantastic defense, and success in the home run derby.  The A’s used power, clutch hitting, and a good bullpen to make up for having a bunch of young unknown pitchers in their rotation. Unfortunately, this team fell short against the Tigers in the playoffs, yet this magical team set the foundation for what would be three straight years of making it to the playoffs (2012-2014).

From 2015 to 2017 the Athletics languished in last place in the AL West. During these three years, the A’s focused on rebuilding which meant trading the good players they had left for prospects and then developing the traded prospects as well as the homegrown young players.

This year (2018) the Oakland Athletics were not expected to contend as baseball pundits questioned whether the A’s young core of talented young position players and pitchers was ready to take the next step and start helping the team win games. Yet, just like 2012, the 2018 A’s have defied the odds and ridden their strengths to a 62 and 46 record. The A’s at the end of July are 2 back of second place Seattle and 5 back of the first place team who happens to be the reigning world champion Houston Astros. The A’s were around the 500 mark around the beginning of June but since then have been the hottest team in baseball winning game after game most of them via crazy comebacks to make a huge rise up the standings.

The A’s have defied the odds this year despite having a remarkable amount of starting pitchers go down with injuries this year. Four starting pitchers in Oakland’s organization have gone on the shelf with Tommy John surgery including young highly touted flame throwing lefthander AJ Puk. It has gone so extreme to the point that Sean Manea remains the only starter left from the opening day starting rotation. Speaking of Sean Manea he has taken a big jump forward this year proving his durability and seemingly pitching well in the majority of starts he has had this season. Who knows where they would be if pitchers Trevor Cahill, Brett Anderson, and Edwin Jackson had not stepped up to help out Manea and eat up some innings.

Nevertheless, starting pitching has not been the A’s biggest strength as the A’s have often had to rely on the team strength of hitting for power to help them come back from deficits. Khris Davis is having his third straight monster season at the plate with 28 homeruns and 81 runs batted in. Jed Lowrie is having a career season at the plate and is once again providing great veteran leadership. Matt Chapman (third baseman) and Olson (first basemen) have impressed with their all around play in their first full seasons in the majors with Chapman already rated by defensive metrics as one of if not the best defensive player in the whole entire MLB. Stephen Piscotty had an underwhelming start to his tenure in Oakland, but has really turned it on over these past two months becoming a huge contributor to the A’s offensive attack.

Then, I have to mention the A’s bullpen especially the late inning trio of Trivino, familia, and Treinen. Thanks to these three guys, the A’s are undefeated this year when leading in the seventh inning or later.

This A’s team is right in contention for the wildcard as the last two months of the season approach and I would be thrilled if they can work their magic and make a deep run in the playoffs this year. Yet, I have a feeling that this is just the opening of their window of contention as the A’s still have a loaded farm system full of impact young players. Also, the A’s payroll remains one of the lowest in the majors so there is financial room to add impact talent via free agency if ownership finally decides to up the team’s payroll.