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By Mark Polishuk | at
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AndThisGameBelongsToMySanDiegoPadres
Why a platoon of Alonso and Canha at first? Neither of them is a platoon hitter. The A’s really need to trade one of them and use that roster spot on something more versatile.
r4569
Probably won’t happen, but maybe a package of Semien/Alonso or Semien/Canha to get a half decent shortstop. Makes sense to me anyways.
Niekro
Semien is a half decent SS with very high upside your trade scenario doesn’t make sense
Niekro
That may have came off as rude not trying to be, the A’s also have 5 SS prospects that will be arriving over the next 2-3 years, I think it is pretty much Semiens job until one of the prospects takes it from him, he did cut down on his errors when Washington joined.
pd14athletics
Nice point in bringing up Washington, a lot of people were so fed up with Semien’s first half that they didn’t see any of the improvement he had made as they were already done with him. We are lucky to have Washington back.
davidcoonce74
Semien is better than people think, but Alonso has no value. I watched him for years in San Diego and a zero-power first baseman isn’t an asset.
encorian
Even though it’s early, I like the A’s 2016 version much more than the 2015 version. Brett Lawrie replacing Josh Donaldson was a major insult/slap-in-the-face for longtime A’s fans. Ben Zobrist was big for the Royals, but did squat for the A’s and I was never that excited about the acquisition. He is a peculiar looking player. A tall, lanky guy often playing second base with no little to no power. And Ike Davis??
The A’s should win more games and have better team chemistry this year, but they are a big longshot to be in contention past July. Too much turnover and too many moving parts. Starting rotation probably the worst on paper going into a season in several years (compared to last 5 to 6 A’s rotations). The bullpen is presumably improved. But when a portion of a team gets overhauled in one offseason as much as the A’s bullpen did it’s hard to expect it all to gel and come out the way one would hope the first time around. And I don’t feel comfortable yet seeing Sean Doolittle back in the closer’s role after missing almost the entire season. Put him in less intense situations. Sixth or seventh innings. Or maybe a matchups-type reliever for a while.
And as far as the offense goes, the A’s are lacking a CLUTCH hitter. They had it in seasons past with Donaldson, Crisp, and to an extent with Cespedes and Moss. Hardcore A’s fans will never forget how important Donaldson was late in games in 2013 and 2014. I just can’t pinpoint a type of hitter like that on this roster so far. Perhaps someone will step up and assume the role.
It’s important to remember: when it comes to the A’s, the opening day 25-man roster hardly ever remains intact by the dead of summer (excluding injury reasons). If the A’s maintain health with their 4-5 core/everyday position players, and Henderson Alvarez, Jesse Hahn (and possibly Sean Manaea) crack and stick in the rotation at some point, I like their chances of 84 wins.