The Oakland A’s could use a high-contact hitter.
MLB Trade Rumors recently predicted Kolten Wong to the Boston Red Sox on a two-year/$16 million deal, but there’s another team that may end up making more sense, depending on how the market shakes out.
The Oakland A’s are coming off yet another disappointing playoff performance and both shortstop Marcus Semien and second baseman Tommy La Stella are free agents. One or both could end up returning, but with so few shortstops available this offseason, Semien may be in higher demand as a stopgap option for a contending team, and La Stella could command a respectable contract with his defensive versatility and quality production in his last two seasons.
Oakland’s offense ranked 15th overall in terms of wRC+, but hit just .225 as a team. Only five other MLB teams put up a lower team batting average in 2020. Adding a high-contact bat is a necessity if Oakland wants to remain competitive next season.
With a deep class of second basemen available, and Wong not being one to put up large power numbers, his market may be depressed and a team like Oakland who doesn’t normally like to spend big in free agency could secure Wong for a more attractive price this offseason.
There are a lot of uncertainties, but Kolten Wong will provide value for whichever MLB team ends up signing him. Will it be one of these three organizations? Or will a team like New York or Boston sweep in and shore up their infield? Hopefully, we won’t have to wait long to find out.