Call to the pen
Fansided

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

By Kevin Henry

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 /
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Los Angeles Dodgers closer Craig Kimbrel
Sep 14, 2022; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers relief pitcher Craig Kimbrel (46) throws against the Arizona Diamondbacks in the tenth inning at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Rick Scuteri-USA TODAY Sports /

Craig Kimbrel

Speaking of former Dodgers who need to find a new home after underperforming at Chavez Ravine, Craig Kimbrel could be another player along the lines of Gallo in terms of a player needing to find a new start and show they can still perform at a high level.

Kimbrel was left off the NLDS roster for the Dodgers, showing just how far he had fallen within the organization after losing his job as the team’s closer in September.

Last season, Dany Jiménez led the A’s with 11 saves, with six of those coming in May before injuries sidetracked his season. Lou Trivino had 10, but was traded to the New York Yankees at the MLB trade deadline. It’s safe to say that the back end of the bullpen is up in the air right now for the A’s. Oakland could use a veteran closer and Kimbrel could use a home to show that he can once again be a dominant closer.

If Kimbrel can come in and show what he did in 2021 with the Cubs (0.49 ERA/1.10 FIP/0.709 WHIP in 36.2 innings), Oakland can flip him at the trade deadline.

Would a $5 million, one-year “prove it” deal be enough to land Kimbrel in Oakland? Would the A’s be willing to spend that much to take a chance? It’s an interesting thought and perhaps something to watch this offseason as teams may be hesitant to take a chance after Kimbrel’s meteoric plunge.

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