Looking Back On Baseball MTJAG's Offseason Free Agent Bargains

Even though he wasn't covered on this blog, Rich Hill has been the ultimate free-agent bargain/Carlos Osorio, AP

During the off-season, Baseball MTJAG wrote up three articles on potential free-agent bargains, categorized in three groups: The Solartes (career minor-leaguers), The Villanuevas (underrated pieces), and The Madsons (injured or rehabbing players). In this article, we will check on these players and see if they have provided any value for their respective organizations.

Part 1

Erik Cordier, RHP (video)
Signed with the Orix Buffaloes in Japan, has 14 strikeouts in 12 innings but with a 4.50 ERA and 8.2 BB/9.
Juan Gonzalez, RHP
Joined the Cardinals organization on a minor league deal, has a 2.66 ERA and 11.1 K/9 for AAA Memphis. Despite not being on the 40-man roster, he could be in line for a call-up soon if the middle relievers struggle in St. Louis.
Andrew Barbosa, LHP
Signed with the Mets, back in AA as a 28 year old despite good numbers. Has been very good in AA Binghamton and had a start in AAA, throwing 5 innings of 1-run ball with 6 strikeouts and no walks. Being a hard-throwing big lefty, its puzzling why he hasn't been challenged more.
Robert Zarate, LHP
Has been injured all year for AAA Indianapolis of the Pirates organization. Displayed good stuff in Spring Training despite being hit hard.
Conner Crumbliss, 2B/OF (video)
Listed as inactive on milb.com, probably retired.
Tommy Field, INF (video)
Released by the Tigers after a slow start in AAA, but signed on with Minnesota and is hitting well in AAA Rochester, batting .281/.324/.469, should get a call-up soon on a struggling Minnesota club.
Destin Hood, OF (video)
Still a toolshed but development has stagnated. Mashed a team-leading 8 homers for AAA New Orleans of the Marlins organization, with 5 stolen bases as well. Plate discipline still needs work, but with the lack of minor league outfield options he might be the next man up should any Marlin outfielders get hurt.

Part 2

Ryan Webb, RHP (video)
Has a 3.31 ERA for the Tampa Bay Rays bullpen. Settling in as the middle reliever, but with a low 5.5 K/9. Good production for the cost.
Cesar Ramos, LHP (video)
Solid swingman for the Rangers thus far with a 3.58 ERA in 27.2 innings. Carries a 5.33 FIP though, so might be due for regression
Domonic Brown, OF
Scuffling away in AAA Buffalo. May never reach the potential he once had.
Justin Ruggiano, OF (video)
Went 1-4 with a double on April 6, his only major league game of the year. Not doing terrifically well in AAA Round Rock either.
George Kottaras, C (video) 
Batting .161 for AAA Sacramento. Solid defensively, but behind Posey, Brown and Susac on the depth chart.

Part 3

Bobby Parnell, RHP
Bullet Bob pitched well in AAA and has been called up by the Tigers to save their mess of a bullpen. Averaged 94.2 mph on his fastball in his one inning of major league work. Not quite back to his flamethrower status yet, but a major improvement from last year.
Jeff Beliveau, LHP (video)
Still recovering from injury, has struck out 16 in 10.2 rehab innings this year.
Cliff Lee, LHP
Not playing this season, may be retired.
Cory Luebke, LHP
Made the team after a strong showing in spring training, but sent down after a rough start (6 ER, 5 BB in 3.2 innings). Sent down to AAA and has a 14.2 K/9 and 29/3 K/BB ratio. Has received a well-deserved call up again, and will definitely try to pitch better than his first time around.
Carlos Quentin, OF (video)
Didn't make Opening Day roster out of Spring Training and decided to not play.

Overall, this years free agent class did not produce many value signings outside of the Rich Hill deal with Oakland, and most of the players on this list have struggled so far. One player to note is Robbie Grossman, the last man cut from this list, and he has hit .327/.441/.527 in 15 games for the Twins. The gaudy numbers likely won't keep up, but he will provide some plate discipline (10 BB/11 Ks) and a little pop as well. From these writeups, Gonzalez, Field, and perhaps Hood seem like possible callups soon, and Webb and Ramos have been serviceable for their respective teams. Parnell and Luebke have both shown flashes of their pre-injury selves and will try to build on them going forward. While we didn't discover the next Jose Quintana star out of nowhere, overall this list of players has produced decent value for their low costs.

Potential Free Agent Bargains Part 3: The Madsons

USATSI, CBS Sports

Before Ryan Madson signed a three-year $22 million dollar deal with the Oakland A's, he was one of the biggest free agent bargain signings in the 2014-2015 offseason. Having not thrown a major league pitch in 4 years, the Royals took a chance at rejuvenating the career of this power reliever coming off multiple arm injuries, and it paid off, with Madson being an integral part of a dominant Kansas City bullpen, and Madson parlayed the minor league deal into the biggest contract of his career. This article will be Part 3 in our attempt to scour the free agent market for bargain players (click here for Part 1 and Part 2), breaking down talented ballplayers who, because of injuries, are several years removed from prime production.

Bobby Parnell, RHP
What a rough recovery he's had coming back from Tommy John. After going under the knife in April of 2015, the hard-throwing right hander returned in the second half of 2015, only to struggle to a 6.38 ERA and walk more batters than he struck out. At the end of August, he went through a stretch of a 14.14 ERA in 10 games, he landed back on the DL with shoulder tendonitis, although it was more of a roster move necessity than an actual injury. Back in his prime, Parnell was able to blow 95 mph+ heat past hitters to go with his knuckle-curve that generated swings and misses as well. While he was down to averaging 93 mph last summer, he should be able to regain some of that old velocity being further removed from surgery and given a long offseason to rest. Under the right rehab and coaching circumstances, it would not be impossible to see Parnell return to his prior dominance as a righty set-up man who can strike out 8 per 9 and keep the walks down to a 2 BB/9 as well. The video below is a young Bobby Parnell throwing consistently in the upper 90's while also hitting 102. It may be unreasonable for him to return to that form, but the potential in that powerful right arm should be tempting chance for any team to take.

Jeff Beliveau, LHP (video)
Before he suffered a torn labrum in 2015, Jeff Beliveau had a breakout 2014 for the Tampa Bay Rays, posting a 2.63 ERA and 2.47 FIP with a 10.5 K/9 against a 2.6 BB/9. He was absolutely dominant against lefties, holding them to a .146 batting average. His fastball doesn't wow anyone at 89-91 mph, but he commands it very well and it complements his big curveball. His fastball can cut, sink, or tail, and he mixes in a changeup once in a while as well. The Orioles, who signed him to a minor league deal, will control him through the 2021 season, so it is a low-risk investment that may pay out big in the long run. Shoulder injuries are definitely a big red flag, but if he can make a full recovery, look for him to repeat his dominance from 2014 and maybe even get better with more experience. The Orioles already have Britton and Matusz as lefty relievers, but Beliveau may still emerge as a valuable left-handed relief option in their pen.

Cliff Lee, LHP
Lee, the 37-year-old former ace, has repeatedly stated that he would only sign given a "perfect fit". That would likely mean a team that has an open rotation spot and a chance to compete for the World Series this season. Coming off of a serious elbow injury that has caused him to miss some of 2014 and all of 2015, it is doubtful that he can make a full recovery and be the ace he once was, but Lee is one of the most respected and smart pitchers in the game. Far more than just a soft-tossing lefty, Lee can masterfully command a six-pitch mix, and even though his fastball will likely top out at just 90 mph now, with his knowledge, guile, and command he should still have several productive seasons left in the tank. Look for him to latch on to a contending team that needs rotation help, either now or maybe later in the season, but don't be surprised if he has called it quits and has already thrown the last pitch of a storybook career.

Cory Luebke, LHP

Andy Hayt/San Diego Padres

After a terrific rookie season back in 2011, where the 6'4'' left-hander posted 3.29 ERA, 2.92 FIP, and 9.9 K/9, Luebke, like many before him, succumbed to the long recovery from not one, but two Tommy John surgeries. He has not pitched in the big leagues since 2012, or thrown any professional pitches until tossing 7 rehab innings in 2015 that did not amount to anything. He will turn 31 in March, so he still has some upside remaining, but it will be a long shot. We will have to wait and see if he still has that low 90's fastball and sweeping slider, and whoever picks him up will have an intriguing project in their hands.

Carlos Quentin, OF (video)
Quentin, a former perennial 20 HR force in the heart of the White Sox order, called it quits after a rough 2014 and a short AAA stint with the Mariners early in 2015. Yet the Stanford alum is making a comeback, and at just 33 years old, is out to prove that he still has plenty of pop left in him. The Twins took a chance on his power, and for some very good reasons too. He has been productive since his debut in 2006 to 2013, where he slashed .275/.363/.495 and hit 13 HRs in just 85 games. But injuries hit him hard in 2014, and knee problems have plagued him for the last two years. When he announced his retirement, it seemed as if the knee injuries were career-ending, but he is now attempting a comeback and should be fully recovered. If so, he will add to the glut of Twins DH types, but his power would be very welcome in the Minnesota lineup in 2016.

Potential Free Agent Bargains Part 2: The Villanuevas

Carlos Villanueva, Billy Hurst/AP

This is Part 2 of a three-part series looking for free agent bargains in the 2015-2016 offseason. In Part 1, which was featured on MLBTR's Baseball Blogs Weigh In piece on Sundays, we looked at minor league free agents who could produce for major league teams, such as Yangervis Solarte did with the Yankees/Padres in 2014. Carlos Villanueva, himself a free agent, was an undervalued commodity in last year's offseason, not signing until February 4th and only for a minor league, incentive-based deal. He went on to post a 2.95 ERA, 3.74 FIP, and a 8.1 K/9 in 61 relief innings for the St. Louis Cardinals, a versatile and important cog in their bullpen that was solid into the playoffs. In this piece, we will look at other players like Villanueva, undervalued assets who, under the proper circumstances, could become contributing pieces to contending teams.

Pitchers

Ryan Webb, RHP (video)
Coming through the A's and Padres farm system, Webb was a hard-throwing righty who sat 95 mph with his fastball to go with a power slider. As he was traded to the Marlins back in 2011 in the Cameron Maybin deal, he dropped the big fastball, opting for a sinker/slider combo instead that has helped him generate big ground ball rates over the course of his career. The big right-hander (6'6'') has been as consistent as relief pitchers get, with a career FIP that has never topped 3.77 in a single season except his rookie year. Webb sits at 92 mph with his heavy sinker and mixes in a slider to get swings and misses and a changeup to neutralize lefties. He doesn't walk too many as evidenced by his 2.1 BB/9 last season, but he won't strike out too many either, with his 5.5 K/9 in 2015. What he does do is limit batted ball damage, get ground balls (59.2% in 2015) and keep the ball in the park (career 0.5 HR/9). He might not be a flashy flamethrower at the back end of a bullpen, but he should come very cheap and provide quality innings in middle relief.

Cesar Ramos, LHP (video)
Hidden behind the likes of hard-throwing lefties Antonio Bastardo and Oliver Perez, Ramos could be one of the best value pickups to help out a bullpen this season. Like Webb, Ramos isn't exactly a flame-thrower (averages 89.8 mph on his fastball), but he can get ground balls (1.64 GB/FB ratio) and get outs effectively (2.75 ERA/3.07 FIP). It is hard to understand why the Angels would non-tender him at an estimated price of $1.7 million, as he produced solid numbers as a bullpen piece for them last season. It may be because he lacks the traditional velocity, extreme ground ball rates, or ability to annihilate same-sided opponents that most teams want in their back of the bullpen relievers, but Ramos can effectively get righties and lefties out, fill the strike zone (2.6 BB/9), keep the ball in the park (0.3 HR/9), as well as pick up some K's (7.4 K/9), making him a pitcher where the whole is more than the sum of the parts. Ramos does not do one thing especially well, but he can do a little bit of everything, making him an attractive option, especially as a lefty to round out a bullpen.

Domonic Brown, OF
THIS

Dom Brown, at 28, still has so much upside, as much potential as he did when both Baseball America and Baseball Prospectus ranked him the #4 prospect in all of baseball. He is just two years removed from hitting .272/.324/.494 with 27 home runs, as shown in the video above, in a very strong 2013 campaign. Many believed that that was Brown's breakout season and would lead to even more greatness to come, but since then he has fell off a cliff. He OPS'd just .634 the past two seasons, spending the first half of 2015 on the disabled list and rehabbing in the minors. He came back in June and struggled initially, but a hot July, where he hit .293/.303/.427 with 3 HRs gave fans hope that Brown had finally rediscovered his potential, but he hit just .177 the rest of the way. As we dig into some of the more advanced numbers, it seems that Brown's plate discipline has remained generally the same the last three years, with his Contact% hovering around 80%. Batted ball numbers remain about the same as well, with grounders and flies holding generally steady, but the main difference between 2013 and '14/'15 was his hard hit rate and line drive%. In 2013, Brown had a 22.8% line-drive rate and a 33.5% hard-hit rate, compared to 15.7% and 25.5% in 2015, leading to a spike in HR/FB% in his big year, a 19.3% well above his career average of 12.1%. However, all three of these ratios fluctuate greatly from year to year, and it is hard to judge a player based on them. It is possible that if Brown were put on the right team playing the right matchups (career .230 hitter against lefties) that he could see a rebound in these ratios and rediscover past form as he is about to hit his physical prime at age 28. It wouldn't be unrealistic to see him provide solid offensive production against righties in a strict platoon and hit around .250/.315/.425 with 10 or so home runs, good production for possibly just a minor league contract. The downside of having him is he provides negative defensive value (oh god) and is not a great baserunner, but teams desperate for some outfield pop could take a flyer on his sweet swing and easy power and come away with something big.

Fun fact: the home runs he hit off this year came of 4 top-of-rotation arms: Zack Greinke, Jacob DeGrom, Shelby Miller, and James Shields. His fifth came of Braves righty Williams Perez.

Justin Ruggiano, OF (video)

Ruggiano, who just signed with Texas for $1.65 million, is one of the best bargain signings of the offseason. He absolutely destroys left-handed pitching, with a 134 wRC+ and .272/.336/.520 slash line, which will fit in nicely in a platoon with the likes of left handed outfielders Josh Hamilton and Shin-Soo Choo, neither of whom were very good against lefties last year. Ruggiano can hold his own against righties as well, and although below average, a career 93 wRC+ against same sided pitching could be left in the lineup without cringing, although it would not be the ideal scenario for him to be in. He has a bit of speed too, stealing 5 bags last year in just 57 games, and stole 15 in his season as a full time player in Miami back in 2013. He can handle all 3 outfield positions reasonably well with a decent arm, and is a very valuable and cheap option for Texas to have on the bench and impact multiple aspects of the game. An interesting stat to note with the addition of the new StatCast info from this season: the average MLB hitter generates 0.43 mph of velocity on each pitch, but Ruggiano is way over with 5.4 mph generated, above Trout, Donaldson, Cespedes, Bautista, Cruz...

George Kottaras, C (video) 
The lone player on this list who did not play in the majors in 2015, Kottaras can be had for a minor league deal. He is a career 100 wRC+ hitter in the big leagues, above average production for a catcher, and the journeyman possesses one of the best plate discipline/power combos out of all backstops in pro ball. His career 14.1% walk rate deserves looks at for a shot to be a backup/platoon option somewhere, and it was an insane 20.8% in AAA Charlotte this season, where he hit .247/.403/.505 with 7 homers in just 31 games. He is a good defensive catcher as well, with a career 5.0 Def score on Fangraphs, a good pitch-blocker but a bit below average with his arm and pitch-framing. His main drawback is his penchant for striking out, as his career 23.7% k-rate shows, and in his last full season in the bigs, he K'd at a 33.3% clip. As a part time player at an offensively weak position like catcher though, striking out too much doesn't seem like too big a price to pay for a cheap option that hits left-handed who can provide some power, patience, and defense to a lineup, and catching-dire teams like the Mariners or Phillies could give Kottaras a shot at redemption in the MLB.

Potential Free Agent Bargains Part 1: The Solartes

Yangervis Solarte, Rigoberto Cervantes-ABC de la Semana

Every year, we see players who sign minor league deals or 1-year deals worth very little come up big for a contending team. These players are not guaranteed much more than a Spring Training invitation, but they make the most out of their opportunities and play significant roles for their respective teams. Two relievers signed at the end of the last offseason, Ryan Madson and Carlos Villanueva, became top options in the back end of playoff bullpens. Yangervis Solarte, who the Yankees picked up as a relative unknown prior to 2014, took off in Spring Training and started strong before being dealt to San Diego for Chase Headley. Solarte is now a key cog in the Padres lineup, playing multiple infield positions with a potent bat, hitting .270 with 33 doubles and 14 home runs in 2015. Bargains in the free agent market can include anyone from former stars recovering from injury (The Madsons), undervalued assets (The Villanuevas), or complete unknowns (The Solartes) who, under the right direction, could flourish in a big way. This is the first piece in a three part series, covering the first category, The Solartes, or minor league free agents who have flown under the radar, yet could make an impact for a major league club in 2016.

Pitchers

Erik Cordier, RHP (video)
Cordier, a 6'4" native of Green Bay, Wisconsin, stands out for one thing: his fastball. He throws 96-98 and can consistently hit 100, and he has the numbers to back up his stuff. The 29-year-old right hander struck out 11.6 per 9 in 2014 in AAA before posting an 11.9 K/9 at the same level this season. He also throws an at least average, sometimes plus slider around 86-88. His main flaw, like most other hard throwers, is his control and command, but his pitching delivery is fairly simple and repeatable. A major league bullpen in need of a middle reliever with potential for more could take a flyer on Cordier, and his fastball-slider combo should pick up some K's at little to no risk.

Juan Gonzalez, RHP

Juan Gonzalez, Getty Images

Juan Gonzalez, a Venezuelan 25-year-old righty was a relative unknown in baseball circles until this season, where he surprised many by representing the Dodgers in the Futures Game for the World Team. Across 50 innings between AA and AAA, Gonzalez put up a 1.62 ERA, especially impressive considering the hitter-friendly confines of the PCL. There is no video available for him online, so we are limited to stat lines and quotes from the internet. Baseball America says his fastball sits in the mid-90s with good running action and a slider around 87 mph, and he challenges hitters and gets ground ball outs. This statement is backed up by farm director and Dodgers managerial candidate Gabe Kapler, who says "Juan has really opened some eyes with his consistency, his velocity, and some deceptiveness in his delivery." As a minor league free agent, he should receive an invite to Spring Training with a MLB team, and if he can build on his 2015 success he could be a big bullpen piece going forward.

Andrew Barbosa, LHP (promotional video from when he was in college at USF)
Barbosa is the oldest pitcher and the least-hyped player on this list, a power-armed 28 year old lefty who has undergone shoulder and elbow surgery before. Standing at 6'8'' 230 lbs, Barbosa throws a fastball, curveball, and changeup, the latter of which he claims is his best and most consistent pitch. He has posted good numbers in every step of the minors, yet has been moved along slowly due to injuries and setbacks. After being released by the Diamondbacks early on, Barbosa had a short stint with Long Island Ducks in which he dominated before the Braves picked him up. He pitched well in AA with a 56/22 K/BB ratio in 47.1 innings. The walk rate is a tad high, but he can limit batted-ball damage (6.8 H/9, just one HR hit off him this season), making him an attractive, low-risk target to be a LOOGY in a big league bullpen.

Robert Zarate, LHP
Zarate has had an intriguing career path that has took him everywhere. A native of Venezuela, he signed with the Canadian-based Blue Jays when he was 18, and pitched in the Dominican Summer League for them with solid results. He was released despite putting up strong numbers in 2009, and was off the radar for several years until 2012 in Japan with the Hanshin Tigers, although rumor has it he was in Japan for semi-pro ball with the independent Gunma Diamond Pegasus. It should also be noted that he spends most offseasons in his home country of Venezuela pitching in their Winter League. In 2015, the Rays brought him stateside to their AAA club, where he threw to the tune of a 2.90 ERA and 1.09 WHIP. His 10.9 K/9 was very impressive, and he showed the ability to limit walks and home runs as well. His ability to throw strikes and get whiffs from the left side should be appealing for teams in need of bullpen depth or help.

Position Players

Conner Crumbliss, 2B/OF (video)
Eye-popping. Those are the only words to describe his walk-rate, a true plus-plus tool of his. It is utterly insane, approaching nearly 20% in some of his seasons in the minor leagues. Crumbliss is athletic, has some speed and some pop to go with the tremendous approach. He is already 28, and it is hard to understand why the Athletics have had him repeat levels and stall his development. A college senior drafted in 2009, he has hit in every stop of the minors except a small 20-game sample of AAA in 2013, in which he even popped 3 home runs. He has hit at least 10 homers in each of the last three years and a solid career 77.6% stolen base success rate. His plus wRC+ numbers across his 6 years of minor league service (135, 148, 131, 112, 134, 142, 119) deserve at least a promotion to AAA, if not an outright shot at winning a big league bench spot in Spring Training. Bold prediction: if there is any no-name utility man who can step up and make an immediate impact in the major leagues, it is Crumbliss. Unfortunately, he missed most of 2015 with an injury, so a productive 2016 would require some rehab, making him an unlikely candidate for breakout. Still, a .250/.355/.365 line is not out of the question and would be a welcome addition for many major league teams. Of course, reasonable thinking leaves Crumbliss as an organizational filler, but even so he should be a decent piece in a Triple-A lineup with upside for more.

Tommy Field, INF (video)
Field is a defense-first shortstop with some pop in his bat. Also 28 years old, Tommy Field has exhibited power and patience throughout his minor league career. This past season, he posted a 12.2% walk rate to go with an 18.9% K-rate in AAA, and while a .192 ISO isn't extremely high, it is plenty of punch for a glove-minded middle infielder. He was rated the Best Defensive Infielder in the Rockies system before 2011, a testament to his plus glovework. He has bounced around quite a bit, with many teams taking a flyer on his profile, and there's no reason another team won't in Spring Training. He will be 29 come Opening Day, and if he does finally hit his stride and make a name for himself, look for a .230/.320/.410 batting line with about 10 homers and 5 stolen bases as a best case scenario, obviously with the always solid defense as well.

Destin Hood, OF (video)
If one had to pick just one word to describe Destin Hood, it would be 'explosive'. His tools are so loud, and that is why the Nationals took him in the second round out of high school in 2008. He went through his up and downs throughout the Nats system until he reached AAA in 2014, and he slashed .294/.344/.482 with 24 doubles and 10 homers. He became a minor league free agent at the end of that year, and it is puzzling why the Nationals didn't put the former top prospect, at just 24, on their 40-man roster. The Cleveland Indians picked him up and, in an even more inexplicable move, sent him to AA, where he hit well again before releasing him. The Phillies picked him up, and apparently they agreed with the Indians' evaluation, and they sent him to AA where, of course, he hit well again. Between these moves, it is very possible that there are some makeup or personality issues with Hood, but without any inside info, we will never know. From our standpoint, and maybe a few major league organizations, he is a toolshed oozing with potential who know has a track record of hitting high minors pitching well for two years now, and at just the age of 25, he has even more room to improve.

A Hypothetical Offseason Plan for the Oakland Athletics

The Oakland A's SB Nation site, athleticsnation.com, is holding an exercise for readers to take control of the team in the offseason and write up a scenario in which they would like the off season to plan out. This is my take on how it would go.

...

My offseason plan is centered around the assumption that while the A's would like to compete in 2016, it is not an absolute necessity and it would be a year to develop the young players such as Billy Burns, Mark Canha, and Marcus Semien while transitioning in the new influx of talent. It will include several buy low candidates in free agency as well as acquiring some young talent and selling high in trades.

Arbitration-eligible (with projected salaries from MLBTR):

• Ike Davis, $3.8MM - non-tender
• Sam Fuld, $2.0MM - non-tender
• Jesse Chavez, $4.7MM - tender
• Josh Reddick, $7.0MM - tender
• Craig Gentry, $1.6MM - non-tender
• Danny Valencia, $3.4MM - tender
• Fernando Abad, $1.5MM - tender
• Eric Sogard, $1.7MM - tender
• Brett Lawrie, $3.9MM - tender
• Felix Doubront, $2.5MM - non-tender
• Fernando Rodriguez, $1.3MM - tender
• Jarrod Parker, $850K - tender
• A.J. Griffin, $508K (league minimum) - tender
• Evan Scribner, $700K - tender

Explain the toughest calls if necessary:

Eric Sogard should be tendered to a contract, as the $1.3 million should not make much of a difference. He is a viable bench option and, at that price, may still be cheaper than free agent options such as old friend Cliff Pennington. Remember that the FO once gave Nick Punto a two-year deal. Sogard, a fan favorite, at $1.3 million should at least be given a shot in spring training. Sam Fuld and Craig Gentry are both basically extra pieces for the A's and should be deemed unnecessary. Ike Davis is coming off a serious injury, and while it wouldn't hurt to see him come back to get a look in ST, $3.8 million is a steep price to pay for a try out with Ravelo, Olson, Nunez, and Healy on the way. Evan Scribner will cost barely over the league minimum, and it wouldn't hurt to give him and his elite K/BB ratio another shot to cut down the HRs.

Impending free agents (re-sign, let go, or qualifying offer?):

• Edward Mujica: Made $4.75MM in 2015 - Thank you for everything you have done for us. Your services are no longer needed.

Extensions

No. 1: Josh Reddick (4 years, $52 million). Reddick has more value to the Oakland A's then he does on the trade block, as the A's highly value his glove and bat. At an annual value of 11-12 million an year to stay with the A's, it is likely just as much or even more than he might get on the open market. He is expected to earn about 7 million on arbitration this season, and 13 million is a hefty raise.

No. 2: Brett Lawrie (5 years, $42 million). Lawrie is a breakout waiting to happen, with so much physical projection and power to be unleashed. He can hit, he can play defense, and is just 25 years old. He may have struggled with an OBP hovering around .300, but he is a few adjustments away form being an absolute monster for the Oakland A's.

Free agents

No. 1: Wei-Yin Chen (4 years, $50 million). Chen has been a consistent part of Baltimore's rotation the last four years, getting his fair share of strikeouts and limiting walks. As a fly-ball pitcher whose only major concern is home runs, he would be a great fit in the spacious O.co, and a lefty pitcher who can occasionally run the fastball up to 96 mph with a good slider is a welcome fit to this rotation. He would cost the A's their Competitive Balance pick though, as he will surely be extended a QO by the Orioles.

No. 2: Greg Holland (3 years, $14 million, split $1 mil in 2016, $6 mil 2017, $7 mil 2018 with $9 million mutual option for 2019). Greg Holland has been one of the most dominant relief pitchers in baseball the last 5 years with the Royals, being a big part of their shutdown bullpen. Unfortunately, he damaged his elbow and now requires Tommy John surgery and was non-tendered since he was projected to earn $11 million in arbitration. It is very likely that the Royals already have a deal in place that would allow him to rehab in 2016 before returning to the bullpen, but with this offer Oakland could blow them away. It is a high risk contract, but the A's have been willing to pull the trigger in the past as with Eric O'Flaherty. TJ is not a guaranteed recovery, but even this season he has shown the ability to pitch injured with diminished velocity. Doesn't a bullpen of Doolittle and Holland sound nice to you?

No. 3: Austin Jackson (2 years, $13 million). While Jackson has been largely inconsistent over the course of his career, with too many strikeouts and not enough walks, he is a reasonably cheap option for the A's to pick up and fill the hole in left field. He will likely produce a .260/.320/.410 slash line with 10 HRs and 10 stolen bases, which is decent value and upside for more at the young age of 28.

No. 4: Jerry Blevins (2 year, $8 million). An old friend of ours and key cog in the 2012 playoff run, Blevins is coming off a series of freak injuries. He may have struggled a bit the last two seasons but has kept his peripherals intact and should help bridge the gap to Doolittle, Dull, and hopefully Greg Holland.

No. 5: Jimmy Rollins (1 years, $6.5 million). Rollins offensive production fell off a cliff this season with the Dodgers, but the veteran shortstop can still produce. He still has some speed and pop left in him, and with his hometown team Oakland, he could possibly have a late career renaissance. At worst, he fills in the utility infield role, rotating between short, second, and DH.

No. 6: Cliff Lee (1 year, $2.5 million with incentives running up to $9 million). Cliff Lee has been hurt the last few years in Philadelphia, and with his $12.5 million buyout of the club option the Phillies paid him, there's no guarantee that he will even pitch this season at 37 years of age. An incentive-laden deal gives the A's an option to who can still rack up strikeouts while keeping the walks down exceptionally well. He may not be the ace he was once, but a pitcher of his status can still be better than many of our back of the rotation options.

No. 7: Domonic Brown (MiLB deal with ST invite). Brown, a former #1 overall prospect, has scuffled with the Phillies throughout his career. He has been the poster boy for everything that has gone wrong for the organization, as he was the major hope, the sure thing that didn't pan out. Still just 28, Brown has some power upside that the A's could use, and he is just 2 years removed form a season where he slashed .273/.324/.494 with 27 home runs and could be a viable platoon bat 4th outfielder to take a flyer on.

Nos. 8 and 9: Ernesto Frieri and Bobby Parnell (MiLB deal with ST invite). Frieri and Parnell are both former top relievers who have recently fallen upon top times. Frieri has been bitten by the home run bug as his career 55.2% fly-ball rate finally caught up to him. Parnell needed Tommy John and rehabbed for most of 2014 and the beginning of this season, with diminished velocity and increased walk rate when he did take the field. Both relievers could be lottery tickets to benefit from the spacious O.co and shore up the bullpen that was a hot mess this past season.

Nos. 10 and 11: Chris Parmelee and Conor Gillaspie (MiLB deal with ST invite). Both hitters are just 28 years old with upside remaining. Parmelee is a patient power hitter who fits the A's mold. If you are looking for another Brandon Moss, this guy may be it. Gillaspie is more contact-oriented, and he can play second and third, possibly spelling Brett Lawrie every once in a while, and he is just a year removed from posting a 110 wRC+.

Trades

No. 1: Trade Jesse Chavez and Bruce Maxwell to the Dodgers for Jharel Cotton and Willie Calhoun. Jesse Chavez is a rumored favorite of Farhan Zaidi, and he could be a good fit as a starter or swingman for a loaded Dodgers team. The Dodgers may be the only team in baseball who could ride his strong starting for the first half then convert him to a reliever in the second half and keep dominating. They also show a trend of acquiring good defensive catchers who can pitch frame and have some offensive upside, and that is something that Bruce Maxwell can appeal to the Dodgers. Jharel Cotton is a favorite of many on AN, and for a good reason too. He combines a good strikeout rate with low walk rate and three above average pitches. He would probably start the season in Nashville before moving up later with Sean Manaea. Calhoun was the Dodgers fourth rounder this season after bashing 31 HRs in junior college this season. He has proved in the low levels in his debut that he can really hit, but where to place him defensively would be a challenge that the A's could readily accept.

No. 2: Trade Danny Valencia to the White Sox for J.B. Wendelken and Nate Jones/Jake Petricka. Jones and Petricka are two entirely different styled pitchers, but they would serve the same purpose. Both are hard throwing set-up men, although Jones lives by the strikeout and is coming off TJ and Petricka is a ground ball machine with lower K-rate. Wendelken is a near big-league ready hard throwing righty in the minors who has a good stuff and can get K's with a reasonably low walk-rate. They could help shore up the bullpen that struggled mightily last year.

No. 3: Trade cash to the Blue Jays for Steve Delabar. Delabar is coming off a bad season, but he can still throw hard and get strikeouts. He should be a viable candidate to acquire cheap and help the pen.

Final 25-man Roster

C: Stephen Vogt, Josh Phegley

1B: Mark Canha

2B: Joey Wendle, Brett Lawrie, Jimmy Rollins

3B: Brett Lawrie, Marcus Semien

SS: Marcus Semien, Jimmy Rollins

LF: Austin Jackson, Coco Crisp

CF: Billy Burns

RF: Josh Reddick

DH: Billy Butler

Bench: Josh Phegley, Coco Crisp, Jimmy Rollins, Eric Sogard/Dominic Brown/Conor Gillaspie/Chris Parmelee

Rotation: Sonny Gray, Wei-Yin Chen, Jesse Hahn, Kendall Graveman, Cliff Lee

Depth: Chris Bassitt, Sean Nolin, A.J. Griffin, Jarrod Parker, Aaron Brooks, Jharel Cotton, Sean Manaea

Bullpen: Sean Doolittle, Nate Jones/Jake Petricka, Ryan Dull, Drew Pomeranz, Jerry Blevins, Fernando Rodriguez, Steve Delabar/Ernesto Frieri/Bobby Parnell/Sean Nolin/J.B. Wendelken

Summary

According to this plan, the A's will try to develop their young talent while keeping the core intact and attempting to compete. This lineup is well rounded and solid defensively as well, with more help on the way inform of Matt Olson, Renato Nunez, Chad Pinder, and others. Of course, no one knows what Beane, Forst, and co. have up their sleeves, so let's just close our eyes and hope for the best.