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Oakland A’s: MLB Trade Rumors predicts just 1 top free agent to Oakland

By James Simmons |
OCTOBER 08: Tommy La Stella #3 of the Oakland Athletics hits a double against the Houston Astros during the eighth inning in Game Four of the American League Division Series at Dodger Stadium on October 08, 2020 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
OCTOBER 08: Tommy La Stella #3 of the Oakland Athletics hits a double against the Houston Astros during the eighth inning in Game Four of the American League Division Series at Dodger Stadium on October 08, 2020 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)

MLB Trade Rumors predicts the Oakland Athletics will only sign one Top 50 free agent this offseason. While the A’s are usually quiet on the free agent front, they could surprise some this year.

In what is expected to be a slow moving, buyer’s market, the Oakland A’s are projected to be minimal players, if players at all. MLB Trade Rumors recently released its Top 50 free agents list and projected teams who will sign these players and the Athletics were not predicted to do much.

The Oakland A’s appeared on the list once, projected on bringing back infielder Tommy La Stella for 2 YRS/$14M.

Before diving into this, let’s take care of some house keeping first.

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The Oakland A’s are losing several players to free agency this year. Ten players in fact, with four of those players coming out of the bullpen. Not to mention Marcus Semien, a six-year veteran of the team, who finished third in the MVP voting a year ago.

The Oakland A’s do not have much money tied up in contracts moving forward. In fact, they have just three players signed to guaranteed contracts, worth just north of $28M. Once arbitration numbers are exchanged, the payroll will increase, though the starting point is low.

The Oakland A’s won the American League West Division this year for the first time since 2013. With the Houston Astros losing three outfielders and a former Cy Young pitcher to free agency, and the Los Angeles Angels stockpiling talent (Anthony Rendon) and getting out from under bad contracts soon (Albert Pujols, Justin Upton), the A’s need to strike while the iron is hot.

Therefore, I will take overs on the MLB Trade Rumors projection of just one Top 50 free agent the A’s sign.

Don’t look for the A’s to break the bank, though they will cobble together a couple of the lower end players for sure. I could see a starting pitcher (Mike Minor maybe) and a couple relievers (Greg Holland if he comes relatively cheap) pairing with a hitter or two, being locked down by the A’s in free agency. Closer Liam Hendricks is a free agent and could be replaced by someone cheap (Mark Melancon, Brandon Kintzler).

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Expect the Athletics to be more active this offseason than they have in the past, and spend a little more money as well.

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