Baseball battle: Another year of watching no-name talent?
March 12, 2016
The 2015 baseball season brought mostly sadness for the Oakland Athletics organization. The A’s finished the season 68-94, the worst record in the American League and fourth worst in all of major league baseball. Going into 2016, the A’s continue their low budget tradition, parting ways with names like Brett Lawrie, Jesse Chavez, Pat Venditte, a n d Drew Pomeranz for a variety of less established players.
The Athletics will look towards newly signed free agent pitchers Henderson Alvarez and Rich Hill to improve the starting pitching rotation, which was a disaster for the team last year. At only 25, Alvarez is incredibly talented and could turn out to be a major bargain if he produces. Still recovering from shoulder surgery in July 2015, Alvarez expects to be ready by May.
The A’s offense will receive a boost from first baseman Yonder Alonso who was acquired from the San Diego Padres in a trade for pitcher Drew Pomeranz and prospect Jose Torres. With a .282 batting average in 2015 and an above average defensive glove, Alonso will be a consistent first baseman along with a presence at the plate.
Photo Credit: Brianna Solano
While the A’s appear to be on an upward trend, don’t set your hopes too high. With the Astros and Angels being the sure teams to fight for the top spot in the AL West division, the A’s chance of a playoff bid is slim to none.
On the bright side, tickets are always cheap for good seats at the Coliseum and you could be witnessing a no-name pitcher who will be on the Yankees in a few years.