December 9: Peterson will be paid $9.5MM on the deal, per Jon Heyman of The New York Post.
December 6: The A’s have agreed to a two-year deal with utilityman Jace Peterson, FanSided’s Robert Murray reports (Twitter link). The contract will become official when Peterson passes a physical. Peterson is represented by ISE Baseball.
Except for catcher, the versatile Peterson has played at every position on the diamond during his nine MLB seasons, even tossing four innings of mop-up work in blowout games. Most of Peterson’s experience has come at second base and third base, and the hot corner was essentially his primary position (86 appearances) with the Brewers in 2022. It seems quite possible third base could again be Peterson’s main landing spot in Oakland, depending on how much the A’s want to use other options as Vimael Machin or Kevin Smith. However, Peterson’s multi-positional ability gives manager Mark Kotsay plenty of options in juggling playing time.
Though the two-year contract gives Peterson some extra security, it is probably fair to assume that the rebuilding Athletics will still be open to shopping the veteran prior to the trade deadline. Still, the two-year commitment indicates the value the A’s see in having a player who can plug so many roster holes, especially since Oakland probably isn’t done shaking up its roster. The A’s might have had to offer that second guaranteed year to beat the market for Peterson, given how he is the type of valuable bench depth that would fit on many teams, both contenders and non-contenders.
Peterson (who turns 33 in May) showed his worth over three seasons in Milwaukee, helping the Brewers reach the postseason twice. Not only was Peterson able to step in when Brewers starters were injured, but he also showed some pop at the plate, hitting a respectable .238/.337/.373 (98 wRC+) over 691 plate appearances with the Crew. Peterson was also a quietly excellent baserunner, stealing 23 bases in 25 tries and rating highly on Fangraphs’ baserunning metrics.
Once Peterson passes his physical, the A’s will officially have a player under contract for the 2023 season. It speaks to the depths of Oakland’s rebuild that not a single player on their roster is technically guaranteed money, as the roster is comprised of arbitration-eligible players and mostly pre-arb players. The Athletics are naturally not going to be big spenders in any regard this winter, and it seems likely that any expenditures will be relatively lower-cost veteran additions like Peterson.
Cleanup hitter acquired.
Would like to see them roll the dice on a 1yr pillow contract for Gallo. High risk high reward.
What’s he going to cleanup, the clubhouse after a Taco Bell party?
A’s have to do better than this
Brad Pitt: “why do we like Jace Peterson”? Jonah Hill: “cuz he gets on base”.
But…he doesn’t get on base.
They should take a few flyers like that. Trade them at the deadline for 2-3 lottery tickets.
wow, exciting news for a’s fans — BOTH OF THEM!!!
You’re just as pathetic and cheap as the A’s owner.
All the cleanup man for the A’s does is lead off the 2nd inning.
I got one better than that, the Tigers had Harold Castro bat cleanup several times last season. Harold is a singles hitter who rarely walks.
That’s how bad the Detroit Tigers ballclub is from top to bottom. At least you A’s fans will be back in contention in 2 to 3 years. Your team makes good trades and smart decisions.
The Tigers have had a disasterous rebuild which is looking now like a rebuild of a rebuild. I would gladly trade places with A’s fans.
Ain’t no Joc
He’s an all world defender compared to Joc
Yeah yeah I know it’s fun to clown on the A’s for being cheap but they already have a potential clean up hitter. Tyler Soderstrom, their #1 prospect, could start the year in Oakland. Yes his bat is that good.
This must be setting the stage for a Sean Murphy trade. It’s the only explanation.
Pederson isn’t a catcher
I think he was referring to Peterson, not Pederson.
You’re not seeing the big picture.
I’m pretty sure he was joking. His name kind of gives it away…
A player salary over $700k for the A’s. What’s the catch?
29 Other Owners:
“Jesus F’ing Christ, Fisher, we all got $30M from the streaming thing with Disney, you either put some of that on the field or we make you sell.”
“Here’s some friends and family Gap coupons. Now leave me alone.”
I hate John Fisher
yep!
The other owners couldn’t care less. The MLBPA, on the other hand…
The catch is he plays multiple positions, meaning he will play both 2B and SS. The A’s will then only have to pay eight starters thus reducing the average salary of their middle infielders to $500,000 per position. This is the new moneyball.
That’s what the Tigers cheapskate ownership wants to ultimately do as well.
They want to build up the farm system than trade the players before they hit free agency.
All the teams with money and desire to win are going to grab ALL the premium players and be annual contenders.
Its not fair. They need a salary cap.
A cap won’t make cheapskate teams spend. They need a salary floor. If a team has to spend $100M, they may as well try to sign some decent players and increase the gate.
Oh look, a replacement player!
Someone had to fill Pinder’s shoes, I guess.
Loved Jace with the Brew Crew! Good luck in Oaktown!
Agreed. Solid and versatile guy who stepped up when needed. But the Crew apparently feel that Turang is ready to replace on-base Jace.
The A’s signed someone!!! Let’s Go Oakland!
Sign somebody. Anyone. And sign somebody while I am waiting.
-93% of MLbTraderumors posters
I know folks are mostly joking, but Peterson had some really good underlying numbers and was hitting well prior to getting injured. IIRC he wasn’t as sharp after his return. The signing should be a great fit for both sides as there won’t be much keeping him from playing every day and he adds enough flexibility with the glove that even if he starts out primarily at one spot, he can move around easily enough given all the question marks around their field atm.
He’s a good defensive player with versatility, a good on base and contact hitter, can get some stolen bases, and has some sneaky power.
Alright, not the worst player they could sign.
Yeah. I’m still available.
Kind of looks like a healthy Rendon if you squint your eyes, good move A’s!
That is funny! I actually had to close my eyes completely and pretend to see it 🙂 Good utility man.
2yrs/10k?!
Marks the end for Chad Pinder probably….
Marks the end lf Chad Pinder i guess….
This guy stinks
He’s below average to average, but still useful for a major league team.
Jace is a fairly solid bench piece that any contending team would enjoy having on their roster.
I’m honestly a bit surprised that he went to Oakland. Now, with that being said, I bet they had to assure him of some sort of starting role; otherwise, I really cannot see why he didn’t go to a contending team.
Not to mention, I’m sure there were/are other teams out there that could have and would have offered JP more money, so that really makes me think you’ll see Jace in Oakland’s everyday lineup..
World Series champs
Replaces chad pinder I’m guessing. Who had hype and respect of the coaches, players but never really hit consistently
He’s a poor man’s Pinder.
Had 2.3 WAR last year thru 112 games. Much needed lefty bat who can play anywhere. Low key good signing here. Tony Kemp probably on the move now.
I’m a Brewers fan. Is Jace Peterson a great player? Not even close. But is he a decent utilityman who can play almost any position and hits decently? Yup. For a small market team like Oakland, he’s the type of player that makes sense. And considering his salary will likely be really reasonable, as MLBTR points out, he could be a decent trade chip.
Pretty good player and move by the A’s. He’ll get plenty of playing time and could show some value for a trade down the road
There are secret naval submarines around Oakland. Save yourselves
Nice to see the A’s actually sign a guaranteed contract. Peterson certainly represents a slight upgrade over the current in-house options at 3B (though Kevin Smith had a decent season at AAA so maybe he looks better next spring)
trade bait if he has a decent first half
Pinder is better. FU FISHER
The arthritis in my hip is telling you to suck it up and deal with it.
(was in response to someone complaining about “LANGUAGE!” for saying “jesus f’ing christ”)
You must be a gem to live with snowflake…
Gets upset about JFC, calls me snowflake.
I think it’s your bedtime.
To: CCCTL. Merry CHRISTmas snowflake. From: the complainer.
The two of you exemplify the holiday spirit! E.g., like the crusades.
If they work it right (trade Murphy/Laureano), they could get their whole payroll lower than Judge’s yearly avg #GoA’s!
Finally some closure!
??????
What is actually going on with this market lol
How could anyone be a As fan? Lol no sense buying a jersey of your favorite player on the team because in 2 years he won’t be there.
There’s lot of other team apparel besides jerseys
We have an awesome history! I have several jerseys like Jackson, Henderson, Hunter, Eckersley, Zito, and Suzuki. However, I haven’t bought any jerseys of recent players because I know the fact. Things will change once we have a new stadium (possibly even a move to a new city like Vegas) and maybe get a new lucrative TV deal.
They hold onto their players longer than the Rays do lol
You know I wonder how Manfred let’s owners like the ones who own the A’s to getaway with fielding a substandard product on the field.
Its not fair to A’s fans.
Years ago when Charlie Finley owned the A’s. He tried to sell some of his players. But Bowie Kuhn stepped in and reverse the sale of guys like Joe Rudi Citing “In the best interest of baseball”
At least the A’s are making moves! Where the hell are the Giants?
Getting some AAA players isn’t really making much of a move lol.
Are you really asking where the Giants are on a post about the A’s signing Tommy LaStella 2.0? This is exactly the kind of move that will send mobs of Giants fan into a frenzy of anger.
I am thinking he was a Giants’ fan who said that.
Sure, and as a Giants fan responding, my point still stands: if he’s really going to complain about the Giants off-season (which Giants fans LOVE to do), is Jace Peterson really the hill he wants to die on?
Especially when, again, we already have LaStella who is basically the same player and loathed by the fans.
My kinda team, Charlie, it’s my kinda team.
“This guy is dead”
“Scratch him off then”
One of my favorite baseball movies.