3 players for the Oakland A’s to target this offseason

Jul 17, 2022; Bronx, New York, USA; New York Yankees right fielder Joey Gallo (13) watches his two run home run against the Boston Red Sox during the seventh inning at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gregory Fisher-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 17, 2022; Bronx, New York, USA; New York Yankees right fielder Joey Gallo (13) watches his two run home run against the Boston Red Sox during the seventh inning at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gregory Fisher-USA TODAY Sports
1 of 3

If there’s one thing that can be said about the Oakland A’s heading into the 2023 season, it’s that the opportunities are wide open on a team that will likely look much different than the one that was fielded in 2022.

The franchise heads into this offseason with plenty of questions about its roster and its future, including what direction the team will head on the field and where it will be playing its games after (or perhaps even before) the 2024 season. Oakland holds the distinction of being a team with no monetary commitments for next season, meaning the team will likely be pieced together through returning players on short-term deals and players coming to the organization on short-term contracts looking for playing time, hoping to bounce back from subpar seasons.

Oakland will provide a place for players to play on “prove it” seasons. If those players bounce back, the A’s can use them as trade chips to build capital for the future. If they don’t, it was likely a short-term deal for a team that won’t be sniffing the postseason in 2023 regardless of how well or how poorly the offseason acquisitions fare.

3 players for the Oakland A’s to target this offseason

Joey Gallo

Who needs a bounce back year more than Gallo? The last two seasons playing with the Dodgers and Yankees have seemingly sapped the joy and power out of the game for the soon-to-be 29-year-old Gallo. Slashing just .159/.291/.368 in 140 games with the Yankees, Gallo was sent to Los Angeles with the hope that a change of scenery would do him well. Southern California did not provide that, however, as he slashed just .162/.277/.393 in 42 games.

Gallo thrived during his seven years in Texas, and a return to the American League West could do him well. Sure, his contract demands may be higher than what Oakland might normally spend, but bringing Gallo to the A’s gives him a chance to not only revive his career, but also gives the franchise’s fans some flashbacks to the Bash Brothers days.

Oakland needs a veteran face for next season and Gallo needs a place where he can get playing time without the pressure to perform. A short-term deal could provide both parties some great benefits.