Oakland Athletics: What’s on their post-lockout to-do list

Over the past decade, the Oakland Athletics have quietly been one of the better teams in the American League, making the postseason in 2012-’14 and 2018-’20.

In 2021, the club finished the season with an 86-76 record, finishing third in the AL West. With sluggers Matt Olson and Matt Chapman paired up with starting pitchers Chris Bassitt, Sean Manaea, and Frankie Montas, not to mention surprise performances from Cole Irvin and James Kaprielian, it’s fair to say that the Oakland A’s were capable of finishing higher than third place.

With new leadership in the form of Mark Kotsay at manager and looking to cut payroll heading into the upcoming campaign, the Oakland Athletics’ front office has made it clear that there’s a possibility of changes coming. Olson, Chapman, Stephen Piscotty, Elvis Andrus, Bassitt, Manaea, and catcher Sean Murphy are all expected to be available to varying degrees once the lockout is lifted. Whether the moves will be made prior to Opening Day or closer to the trade deadline remains to be seen.

In a chat with John Shea of The San Francisco Chronicle, A’s general manager David Forst had this to say about the potential of cutting payroll. Certainly an ominous step in the wrong direction for the Oakland Athletics-faithful.

"“I think right now we’re in the middle of those conversations with [ownership],” said Forst. “We don’t have exact direction yet. But you look at our history, and we have three- or four-year runs and recognize where we are makes it necessary to step back. But we have not gotten to that point yet with ownership.”"

This will be an interesting season for the Oakland A’s as they look to cut payroll. Let’s take a look at a few items that should be on their to-do list once the MLB lockout is lifted.