Manager Bob Melvin said that the Athletics are looking to make some upgrades, but he realizes they aren’t the team that can set the market.
Bob Melvin: The Athletics aren’t market makers
Rick Yeatts
"I know that we're really not market makers within the free agent market. We'll sit back and see where the market is going and then kinda pick and choose and see where things are going, but whether it's a Brandon McCarthy... or Jonny [Gomes], certainly Jonny left, or the Stephen Drew situation at short, there are some places we are looking to upgrade, but I don't think we're in a rush to make a deal that we're not ready to make."
As for McCarthy, Melvin said that, "the door is always open until it's closed," and that the Athletics would sit back and wait to see what kind of offers he gets on the market to see if they can compete. Upgrading at shortstop is still a priority for the Athletics, though Melvin said, "we have Adam Rosales and Eric Sogard, so we do have some guys in house that have played the position for us. You're always looking to upgrade...but if we sat here today and had to move forward with who we have now, I think we'd be comfortable with that. But it is one spot where we probably don't have as much experience or the numbers in that spot as some of the other spots."
While there is still time for roster improvements, Melvin has the type of lineup for the way he wants to manage his team, and remains focused on rotating players through the designated hitter spot, working with platoons, and having backups in case of injuries. Melvin seems confident that his team will have continued success next season, and said that he was proud of the way his team came together in the second half to win games and take their game to a new level.
Cee Angi is one of Baseball Nation’s Designated Columnists, one of the minds behind the Platoon Advantage, and the author of Baseball-Prose. Follow her at @CeeAngi.
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