With Spring Training only a few more weeks away, any chance the A's will get another starter or some relief help?
-- Jeff W., San Jose
Yes, it just remains to be seen how the A's will go about doing so. They don't seem inclined to part with any big prospects for a proven starter, and they're not in position to spend frivolously on free agents. That means they'll hang around to pick up the leftover pieces and hope a gem is among them. Sources indicate that the A's have been in talks with a few familiar faces, including Edwin Jackson and Brett Anderson, and it will be interesting to see if they reach out to more -- Giovany Gonzalez, perhaps? Parker Bridwell is a nice add-on, but they still need pitching help.
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How is Jharel Cotton's rehab going?
-- Chas D., Sacramento, Calif.
Cotton has been progressing on schedule in his recovery from Tommy John surgery and is already throwing pitches from flat ground. A.J. Puk is on a similar schedule after having the same procedure, so both could become available to the A's by midseason, barring any setbacks. The A's allowed Cotton to return home at season's end and continue his rehab in Michigan. He's since returned to Arizona to throw under the watch of the team's training staff.
<jsp:include flush="true" page="/components/news/mailbag/include_oak.jsp"> With our outfield logjam, including a potential Franklin Barreto move out there, can we anticipate a Mark Canha trade?
-- Logan M.
I wouldn't necessarily anticipate one, but I also wouldn't be surprised to see one matriculate -- and, if not Canha, then maybe Barreto or Dustin Fowler. Canha proved highly valuable against left-handed pitching last year, especially off the bench, and I just don't see the A's trading away so much power. Barreto and Fowler bring obvious talent to the table, yet so much of it is untapped, so perhaps the A's risk losing one of them if they needed to present a big-time asset in trade talks.
Do you think the A's will try to pick up another catcher? If not, who do you think will end up winning the starting catcher job?
-- Aaron A., Voorhees, N.J.
The A's have said they'd be comfortable starting the season with a platoon of Chris Herrmann and Josh Phegley, but they'd obviously prefer an upgrade if the club can swing it. Looking at the very reasonable contract the Angels gave to Jonathan Lucroy, I still wonder why the A's passed on matching that number and wonder if they'll be more aggressive when it comes to other available catchers -- a group that includes Martin Maldonado, Devin Mesoraco and Matt Wieters.
Do you think the A's would take a chance on Bartolo Colon again?
-- Carl F., Camarillo, Calif.
I wish. Unfortunately, I don't see it happening.