The Oakland Athletics have not reached the playoffs since losing the American League Wild Card to Kansas City in 2014. Years ago, Oakland’s roster was once filled with talented fan favorites such as Sonny Gray, Brandon Moss, Yoenis Céspedes and Josh Donaldson. This group lead the A’s to consecutive Division Series appearances; by no coincidence, the organization has not seen a shred of comparable success since their departure
American League foes such as Toronto and Boston have gutted the A’s roster with little to no pushback from the big man upstairs – Billy Beane. Despite early struggles, as Oakland now sit on an 8 10 record
Kendall Graveman Jersey, the A’s have noticeable young talent developing before our very eyes. It is time the Athletics commit to the next rising crew they have been so fortunate to acquire. This starts with investing in third baseman Matt Chapman who has headlined the roster as of late.
Chapman has tallied up a defensive highlight reel through 18 games that many players will not match in a season; it would be foolish to suggest he will not be in the conversation for a Gold Glove Award come November. He is locking down the hot corner in the Oakland Coliseum while boasting the highest WAR in the AL to compliment a .982 fielding percentage. Offensively, he has scored 14 runs and batted in 12 thanks to a .313 average at the plate. Making tremendous strides since his rookie season with the Athletics, Chapman is proving he not only belongs but will lead.
Matt Chapman’s agent, Scott Boras
http://www.athleticsfanaticsjersey.com/marc-rzepczynski-jersey-c-11.html, has since been approached by the A’s with interest in negotiating a long term deal. Scott Boras has made it clear that he and Chapman are not interested in a conversation at the moment. While Chapman is yet to play a full 162 game season, he has proven his worth to the organization. It has not gone unnoticed contrary to claims of most critical fans.
A massive problem for Oakland is their payroll. The A’s yield the lowest payroll in baseball and have criminally gotten away with paying key players the league minimum at around half a million per year. This includes starting second baseman Chad Pinder, first baseman Matt Olsen, starting
http://www.athleticsfanaticsjersey.com/andrew-triggs-jersey-c-12.html pitcher Sean Manaea and of course Matt Chapman. All four of these players are young and promising; unfortunately for Oakland, all four are also sitting on expiring one year contracts.
The Athletics do not have the Red Sox payroll or the Yankee’s prestige; however, they have hope. It is crucial for Oakland’s management to keep the groundwork laid and dig themselves out of their recent hole. The A’s are last in the AL for attendance and that number has trended downward in a linear pattern since the 2014 Wild Card. Clearly
http://www.athleticsfanaticsjersey.com/matt-mcbride-jersey-c-13.html, it is a response to the lack of product on the field. The solution to this issue is simple. It starts with cuffing Matt Chapman to a long term deal and retaining the support around him. Oakland needs to pay up and give these players the money they deserve or someone else will.
The Athletics gave Chapman his shot at the big leagues in 2014 when they drafted him in the first round at 25 overall. His commitment is a crucial step forward in the organization’s rebuild, and the A’s should waste no time getting it. He is the franchise player Oakland needs; unfortunately, he just might be smart enough to know it.
