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

By Eric Treuden

OAKLAND, CA - JULY 22: General view of the Oakland Athletics logos in the dugout before the game against the San Francisco Giants at the Oakland Coliseum on July 22, 2018 in Oakland, California. The Oakland Athletics defeated the San Francisco Giants 6-5 in 10 innings. (Photo by Jason O. Watson/Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CA - JULY 22: General view of the Oakland Athletics logos in the dugout before the game against the San Francisco Giants at the Oakland Coliseum on July 22, 2018 in Oakland, California. The Oakland Athletics defeated the San Francisco Giants 6-5 in 10 innings. (Photo by Jason O. Watson/Getty Images) /
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OAKLAND, CA – SEPTEMBER 7: Matt Olson #28 and Matt Chapman #26 of the Oakland Athletics on the field before the game against the Chicago White Sox at RingCentral Coliseum on September 7, 2021 in Oakland, California. The White Sox defeated the Athletics 6-3. (Photo by Michael Zagaris/Oakland Athletics/Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CA – SEPTEMBER 7: Matt Olson #28 and Matt Chapman #26 of the Oakland Athletics on the field before the game against the Chicago White Sox at RingCentral Coliseum on September 7, 2021 in Oakland, California. The White Sox defeated the Athletics 6-3. (Photo by Michael Zagaris/Oakland Athletics/Getty Images) /

The Oakland Athletics should trade both Matt Olson and Matt Chapman

In a few moves that will surely break the hearts of Oakland A’s fans, the club should look to move their two star-level Matts and gather as many prospects as they can.

Matt Olson, 28 in March, has become one of the most prolific power MLB bats over the past few seasons. One of the more durable players in the bigs, Olson has led the league twice in games played (162 in 2018 and all 60 in 2020) while putting up well-above-average slugging numbers, most recently a .540 SLG%, with 39 home runs and 111 RBI last year.

Olson is to be viewed as one of the most valuable players on the trade market, as he is a stud both on offense and defense. A winner of two Gold Gloves and a three-time Fielding Bible Award winner, Matt Olson is ranked near the top of the league in all defensive stats at the first base position. As highlighted in MLB Trade Rumors’ profile of Olson, he ranks at the very top amongst first basemen in DRS (Defensive Runs Saved), with 34 and a 22.8 UZR (Ultimate Zone Rating) since the 2017 season.

Per FanGraphs, Matt Olson was worth 5.0 WAR in 2021 alongside his 146 wRC+. Olson still has two seasons of club-control remaining which will only ramp up his value. The first base market is dry once you get past the Freddie Freemans and Anthony Rizzos of the world, so the Oakland A’s should be able to get a massive haul back for Olson should they look to move him, an idea that they should really consider heading into 2022.

Matt Chapman, 28, is viewed as one of the best defensive players in the major leagues. Alongside Nolan Arenado, he is one of the most elite defensive talents the game has seen in years. The slick-fielding Chapman has 78 career DRS and a 47.3 UZR, both ranked #1 amongst third basemen since he came onto the scene in 2017.

Like Olson, Chapman’s value does not only come in the form of defense. In 2021, Matt Chapman had somewhat of a regression offensively, hitting 27 home runs and driving in 72 while seeing a dramatic spike in strikeouts and a lowered batting average, SLG% and OPS when compared to previous years. The California-born Chapman still managed to put up 2.6 oWAR per Baseball Reference and a 101 wRC+, both solid numbers despite the downtick in some of the other offensive categories.

When it comes to Chapman’s contract, he also is still under control for two more seasons. His value is still very high despite the fact that he had something of a down season at the plate in 2021. Any club looking to acquire Matt Chapman’s services is mainly looking at his glove with his offensive output an added bonus. Hell, the Yankees were said to even be considering Chapman to fill their void at shortstop. Chapman, like Olson, should bring the Oakland Athletics a huge return in prospects. The time to pull the trigger is now for David Forst and company.

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