MESA, Ariz. – The Athletics are down to 46 players in camp with just under two weeks of Spring Training left, and while Monday’s roster cuts provided a bit more clarity, there appear to be some tough decisions coming down the pike.
The next couple of weeks will have a big impact on how the A’s decide to construct their 26-man roster for Opening Day on March 27 in Toronto. Here’s a look at where roster battles stood entering Tuesday’s 11-7 win against the White Sox at Hohokam Stadium.
Third base
Brett Harris was optioned to Triple-A Las Vegas on Monday, which puts the spotlight on three players for the third base battle: Max Muncy, Darell Hernaiz and Andy Ibáñez.
Muncy was the perceived favorite entering camp, and from an offensive standpoint, he’s strengthened his case this spring by hitting .292 with a .956 OPS in 11 games. His defense at third base, however, is something the A’s are still evaluating. Muncy is a natural shortstop who saw time at second and third base last year, but handling the hot corner on an everyday basis is something he continues to work on improving with A’s infield coach Bobby Crosby.
“It’s getting there,” Crosby said of Muncy’s defense at third last week on A’s Cast. “That’s what I’ll say. He’s a natural shortstop and a good athlete. At third, at times, he isn’t completely full Max Muncy. … My biggest thing for him is go out there and be free. I want him free mentally so he can let his athleticism come out.
“The progression is happening. It’s not going to be overnight where he feels completely free and great at third base, but it’s going to happen.”
Hernaiz is out of sight as he’s away from camp for the World Baseball Classic, but he’s very much still on the A’s mind. After hitting .455 through five spring games, Hernaiz is hitting .308 (4-for-13) in three WBC games and produced one of the highlights of the tournament with a dramatic walk-off home run for Team Puerto Rico.
“Darell not being here is a good thing,” manager Mark Kotsay said. “Because he’s helping his country advance and having a lot of fun while he’s doing it, which I love. He’ll be a part of that mix.”
Ibáñez entered Tuesday hitting .400 (10-for-25) through nine spring games. Claimed off waivers from the Dodgers last month, Ibáñez provides extra value as an experienced super utility player who has seen plenty of time at third, second, first and outfield in five big league seasons.
“Managing against him, when I was making a decision to bring a reliever in, he was scary,” Kotsay said. “When he came off the bench, it was a professional, aggressive at-bat. … It’s great to have him a part of this.”
There is a scenario in which all three make the roster, depending on how the A’s decide to construct their bench.
Bullpen
There is likely only one bullpen spot up for grabs and several contenders vying for that same role. Luis Medina, Nick Anderson and Wander Suero are pitchers still in camp who are in that mix, as are J.T. Ginn and Jack Perkins, both of whom are concurrently trying to push for a rotation spot.
Medina has looked electric, albeit with some shaky command, in his first three appearances this spring by touching 99 mph with his fastball. Because Medina is out of Minor League options, the A’s may have no choice but to put him on the Opening Day roster to avoid the risk of placing him on waivers and potentially losing the 26-year-old flamethrowing righty to another club.
Final rotation spot
After rotation locks Luis Severino, Jeffrey Springs, Aaron Civale and Luis Morales, the sense here is that Jacob Lopez, who made his Cactus League debut on Sunday after a delayed start to camp as he recovered from a forearm injury, has the inside track for the final spot. Ginn and Perkins have been building up as starters in camp, but their likely destination to begin the season is either in the A’s bullpen or the rotation at Triple-A Las Vegas, where both could provide valuable starting depth.
THE GELOF PLAN
After making his spring debut on Monday as the A’s designated hitter, Zack Gelof played in a game on the A’s Minor League side as the starting second baseman on Tuesday. Over the next two weeks, Gelof will get more reps at second and even some in the outfield, both with the A’s and in Minor League camp.