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DownloadAssorted Rants, Rumblings and Ruminations from the Mind of a “So-Called” Expert
CATCHER: Francisco Cervelli is back as the lead backstop, however the last thing you want is for your top catcher to have concussion issues. With Chris Stewart's club option declined, Elias Diaz is the primary back-up.
INFIELD: Every one is back, at least for now with Josh Bell, Josh Harrison, Jordy Mercer and David Freese the returnees. Sean Rodriguez is a threat to supplant Freese.
OUTFIELD: The strength of the Bucs, Andrew McCutchen, Starling Marte and Gregory Polanco are the starting three, when healthy. Health is the key, making Adam Frazier relevant.
BENCH: While it's better to have a strong starting unit, it doesn't hurt to have solid depth, like that in the Steel City. Rodriguez and Frazier will get their playing time with Jose Osuna and Jordan Luplow in the mix. For those wondering, Jung-ho Kang had permission to play winter ball, then had to return to South Korea. His ability to travel to the US is still up in the air, and even if he does, he could face suspension from the Pirates or MLB.
ROTATION: Gerrit Cole anchors Jameson Taillon, Ivan Nova, Chad Kuhl and Trevor Williams with Tyler Glasnow, Steven Brault and Nick Kingham knocking on the door.
BULLPEN: Felipe Rivero took over when Tony Watson was dealt and excelled, so he'll enter 2018 with saves duties. George Kontos, Wade LeBlanc, Daniel Hudson and A.J. Schugel are the setup crew.
PROSPECTS TO WATCH: Outfielder Austin Meadows is one of the jewels of the system, though he appears blocked. Something has to give, perhaps finally dealing Cutch. Mitch Keller is the jewel of the arms, but likely needs a year at Triple-A, unless Pittsburgh is in the playoff mix. Some are predicting he debuts this season, I'm not in that camp.
POSSIBLE ACQUISITIONS: The Pirates are a tweener, they don't appear to have the talent to compete, but there's a pathway if the stars align. An infield upgrade, especially at shortstop is possible, as is back-end starter and bullpen help.
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CATCHER: Late last season, Jorge Alfaro usurped the starting job from Cameron Rupp. That's likely the pecking order in 2018. Andrew Knapp, no longer a prospect, provides organizational depth.
INFIELD: This is going to be an interesting off-season in the City of Brotherly Love. On paper, Rhys Hoskins, Cesar Hernandez, Freddy Galvis and Maikel Franco encompass a passable group from right to left. The catch is, Mike Kingery and J.P. Crawford are ready to take over as the double-play combo. Tommy Joseph is in the mix.
OUTFIELD: Assuming Hoskins lands at first, Aaron Altherr, Odubel Herrera and Nick Williams make up the starting group of fly chasers. However, they're not a bastion of health so some support will be necessary.
BENCH: It's hard to peg a bench with the infield unsettled. How the club fleshes out the middle will affect depth. Regardless, Pedro Florimon and Cam Perkins will likely be involved.
ROTATION: Aaron Nola fronts an up-and-coming group which includes Jerad Eickhoff, Jake Thompson, Ben Lively, Nick Pivetta, Zach Eflin and Mark Leiter Jr., along with wild-card Vince Velasquez.
BULLPEN: Hector Neris emerged as the main guy down the stretch, but we've seen this story before. Still, he pitched his way into the incumbent label; closer is his to lose. Luis Garcia, Edubray Ramos and Adam Morgan will be joined by some of the aforementioned listed starters.
PROSPECTS TO WATCH: Kingery and Crawford have been discussed. Williams and Alfaro got long looks last season. There's no one else really close.
POSSIBLE ACQUISITIONS: The primary moves could be dealing Hernandez and Galvis to pave the way for Kingery and Crawford. The Phillies are one of the clubs mentioned to be in the Giancarlo Stanton sweepstakes, an intriguing thought. A reserve outfielder is likely along with a veteran starting arm to help stabilize the younger, still raw options.
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CATCHER: As they tend to do at a lot of positions, the A's rely on a platoon, with Bruce Maxwell taking the at bats versus righties and Josh Phegley stepping in with a lefty on the hill.
INFIELD: The left side lines up to be Matt Chapman and Marcus Semien. Matt Olson locked down first base with Jed Lowrie brought back to play second.
OUTFIELD: Khris Davis should be the full-time DH, and with Ryon Healy dealt to Seattle, he may land there, but for now let's call him an outfielder. Matt Joyce is back to swing versus righties. Boog Powell showed enough to get a long look, but isn't a sure thing, especially with Dustin Fowler expected to be healthy. Other candidates include Jaycob Brugman, Mark Canha and Chad Pinder.
DESIGNATED HITTER: If it's not Davis, Pinder is the best option, showing some pop last season.
BENCH: All the outfielders listed at the end are reserve fodder.
ROTATION: When Kendall Graveman is your ace, you better hope your offense comes through. That said, Sean Manaea and Jharel Cotton offer reasons for optimism along with Daniel Mengden and Andrew Triggs. In this strikeout-happy culture, Oakland doesn't really have the arms to take advantage. Jesse Hahn, Chris Smith and Raul Alcantara are in the mix.
BULLPEN: The club dealt away their best relievers, leaving closer to Blake Treinen. I'm not optimistic he keeps the job. That said, no one from Ryan Dull, Santiago Casilla, Daniel Columbe, Chris Hatcher or Liam Hendriks inspire much confidence. Newly acquired Emilio Pagan could work himself into high-leverage situations, maybe even ninth inning duties.
PROSPECTS TO WATCH: Fowler was mentioned with the outfielders. He was the centerpiece, along with Jorge Mateo, in the Sonny Gray deal with the Yankees. Fowler ruptured his right patella tendon in his MLB debut but is on pace to be ready in the spring. Mateo could be summoned sometime next summer. Despite looking overmatched, Franklin Barreto is still a big part of the A's future, somewhere in the middle infield.
POSSIBLE ACQUISITIONS: Billy Beane usually fills in the blanks with low-salary pieces. I don't see any as being a fantasy asset, unless he signs a decent starter since The Coliseum is a good place to pitch.
Do you want to win your league?
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