Offseason Outlook: Athletics

[Giantmetfan07]

The Athletics have contractual control over their entire starting lineup, including platoons, so GM Billy Beane will stay the course in 2014 after a second consecutive AL West title. 
 
Guaranteed Contracts

• Yoenis Cespedes, OF: $21MM through 2015
• Alberto Callaspo, 2B/3B: $4.875 through 2014

Arbitration Eligible Players (service time in parentheses)

• Jed Lowrie, SS (5.111): $4.8MM projected salary
• Seth Smith, OF/DH (5.119): $4.3MM
• Brandon Moss, 1B/OF (3.160): $3.8MM
• John Jaso, C (4.032): $2.2MM
• Josh Reddick, OF (3.050): $2.2MM
• Jerry Blevins, RP (4.081): $1.5MM
• Daric Barton, 1B (4.028): $1.4MM (non-tender candidate)
• Pat Neshek, RP (5.159): $1.2MM (non-tender candidate)
• Jesse Chavez, RP (3.108): $600K
• Scott Sizemore, 2B (3.046): $600K (non-tender candidate)
• Fernando Rodriguez, RP (2.142 - Super Two): $500K (non-tender candidate)

Contract Options

• Chris Young, OF: $11MM club option ($1.5MM buyout)
• Kurt Suzuki, C: $8.5MM club option ($650K buyout)
• Brett Anderson, SP: $8MM club option ($1.5MM buyout)
• Coco Crisp, OF: $7.5MM club option ($1MM buyout)

Free Agents

• Grant Balfour, Bartolo Colon

The Athletics' main objective this offseason should be to figure out a way to beat Justin Verlander in an ALDS Game 5, which is how each of their past two post-season runs have ended. With tongue no longer firmly planted in cheek, the Athletics' priority this winter is what to do if, as expected, Balfour departs via free agency and to determine whether Colon's stabilizing influence is still needed for their young rotation.
 
The Athletics are loathe to spend valuable resources on a closer and MLBTR's Steve Adamssees Balfour netting a two-year, $18MM contract in free agency. Beane and manager Bob Melvin have both said Sean Doolittle and Ryan Cook are options to replace the Australian with Beane also mentioning Dan Otero. If the Athletics want to purchase an insurance policy, there aren't many free agent closers who will accept a one-year deal in the club's price range, but Francisco Rodriguez and Kevin Gregg could fall into that category. If they simply want a veteran presence in the bullpen on a team-friendly contract, LaTroy Hawkins, David Aardsma, Kyle Farnsworth, and Brandon Lyon could provide that. Jerry Blevins and Jesse Chavez will return to round out the relief corps.
 
Colon, who wants to pitch three more years, is amenable to returning to Oakland and Beane has acknowledged it "would be foolish" not to "have real interest in bringing him back." There's interest, but is there room in the rotation? Sonny Gray and A.J. Griffin have injury concerns; but, if healthy, expect to front the rotation along with Jarrod Parker. Brett Anderson, Dan Straily, and Tommy Milone will compete to fill out the rotation. The oft-injured Anderson is generating some trade interest with the Blue Jays most prominently linked to the left-hander. In his Blue Jays' offseason outlook, MLBTR's Mark Polishuktheorizes Toronto could deal closer Casey Janssen for starting pitching. There is a 2014 club option on Janssen worth $4MM, which would make him appealing to the Athletics. The Blue Jays may be willing to absorb the $4MM difference in salaries in a straight-up trade for Anderson or Oakland would have to become creative by including additional player(s) and/or international bonus slot money. Dealing Anderson would also free up a rotation spot for Colon, but re-signing the 40-year-old will be dependent on how much of a raise he expects from his expiring one-year, $3MM deal.