Oakland Athletics: Why the A’s can win the AL West

Oakland Athletics: Why the A’s can win the AL West

First base

Offensively, Matt Olson probably had the better 2019. Yuli Gurriel out-hit him by 20 points (.282 to .261), but Olson delivered a dozen more dingers (33-21), a significantly higher OPS (.865-.800) and a better WAR (5.1to 3.2). His 137 OPS+ was 11 points higher than Gurriel’s 126.

Defensively it was no contest. Olson won the Gold Glove on a .993 fielding percentage and 14 Defensive Runs Saved. At .996, Gurriel slightly bettered Olson on fielding average, but he produced zero Defensive Runs Saved, in part because he accepted 690 fewer chances.

Some of that obviously was due to the Astros’ rotation’s greater penchant for keeping the ball out of play, but some of it was skill; Olson’s 8.94 career positional range factor is far superior to Gurriel’s 7.72.

The biggest difference, however, maybe age. Olson is entering his age 26 season, putting him almost squarely in his peak years. Gurriel will be 36 in June, an age at which a performance decline is to be expected.

The bottom line: Olson was a better hitter than Gurriel in 2019, a far superior fielder, and he’s improving. Houston’s first baseman is coming off the best of his four major league seasons. But his age and 14 seasons of Cuban ball are likely to catch up with him in 2020, widening the gap between the two.