Another thing we’re watching after the MLB lockout ends: Will the Oakland A’s dismantle their roster and start a rebuild?
There has been plenty of talk about what might happen with the Oakland A’s after the MLB lockout is over, with many expecting the A’s to try to trade off players such as Matt Chapman, Matt Olson, Chris Bassitt, Sean Manaea and others as a rebuild begins in Oakland.
Signs point toward a new era dawning in Oakland, with Bob Melvin leaving in a surprise move to take over the San Diego Padres and the A’s turning down a $4 million option on reliever Jake Diekman, who has a 3.25 ERA, 3.99 FIP, 1,300 WHIP, and 128 ERA+ in 116 games over the last three seasons in Oakland.
"“We don’t have an exact direction yet,” Oakland general manager David Forst said during the MLB general manager meetings in December. 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.”"
If the A’s are going to step back this offseason, that means other teams who may not win the Freddie Freeman or Carlos Correa sweepstakes could swoop in to make a deal with Oakland to get what they want.
In what is expected to be an interesting American League West race this season with the Texas Rangers spending a massive amount of money in free agency before the MLB lockout and the Seattle Mariners making moves to strengthen their roster as well, in addition to the Houston Astros as the defending AL champions, Oakland may choose to stockpile for the future once trades can once again take place after the MLB lockout.