It's finally decision time for the A's on the two high-priced free agents we have been chasing this offseason! Will we... and the players involved... ultimately make the right decisions?
that long hover over bamei as you built the anticipation and switched to lewis, absolute cinema, gave me a good chuckle 😂 The rivalry with the dodgers builds...can't remember FA's being such a pita since the first year in buffalo!
Good point, it's definitely been a while... although this probably would have happened earlier with Oakland if we had actually been competing for any top free agents before now!
Thanks. I'd love to have either of those guys for a season or two, especially this upcoming one, but felt like the money and years had gotten a little out of control... at least with what they claimed to want to come to Oakland!
Sucks that neither FA signed but agree it was the right move. Next step for you offline needs to be to scour the rosters of the rebuilding teams for veteran trade targets making decent money....that could replace your FA signing at hopefully a reasonable additional tariff. You definitely have to make a move on offense before the season starts.
I'd like to find that, but based on what I've been doing offline for the past few months of the episode, I'm not optimistic I'll have the type of guy I want before the season starts... but can always keep looking!
Dodgers will regret that Lewis deal, over 20 mil for a guy playing well in a contract year, is crazy, but a very Dodgers move. Hopefully you can put that money to Colt Keith if his demands are within reason.
I totally agree with this take...call it a win that you didn't have to overpay for a very good 70 games and give that cash to a guy who has been really, REALLY good since he's been an A.
Dodgers gonna Dodger... and A's gonna A... Last I looked, I think Colt's money requests were ridiculous for Oakland, but definitely something I should check in on again!
The Dodgers can absorb the Bamei deal regardless of whether he turns out elite or just good, but I can say with confidence that a season or two from now they're going to regret that Lewis deal and we're going to be happy that we dodged it. He's one unlucky TCR roll from an albatross and after 32 those rolls really only go one direction. I don't think that free agency went great this time around but big-picture this team is moving in the right direction. And those world beater international free agents come over every year or so now. I see them all the time in my saves. I'd bet that we have a shot at another one next year - which is good, considering we'll be fighting for our contract again. Could the A's use an upgrade to any of the coaching staff? Not a bad time to do that when you've got some cash flexibility. You could also consider using some of that cash to buy a new owner ;).
Ha, I'd definitely love a new owner! Coaching staff is still really high quality and gets along well, so I don't think there's much to do there. I spent a lot of time and money turning it over at the start of the series, so now it's largely just a matter of plugging in new guys who are just as good or better when contracts expire or guys retire. We should have a lot of money to spend next offseason (unless we regress big time and have our budget cut), so hopefully there will be one of those big time international free agents next year. A 27-year-old potential All-Star pitcher or a 28-year-old OF who can win a Silver Slugger would be nice...
Welp.. no one said it was going to be easy. If we were almost any other team, we could maybe overpay for a premium guy and damn the consequences. Unfortunately, this is Oakland. You've been steering the ship in the right direction all along, and sometimes that meant being conservative now to save resources for later. Knowing when to fold em is just as important. We carry on. This team will win on the mind this year, and bide our time waiting for the right man to come along.
Well, a positive IAFA group this off-season so that is good. Taking the broad view I can't say I am surprised by the two-faced negotiations. Not sure if you just got "lucky" in signing a Royce Lewis last time based on circumstances, but it sure looks like word is out that Oakland is NOT the place to be- for now at least. At this point I think you just have to do just as you said and be ready to sign a good opportunity while promoting and leaning on Oakland's prospect pool. It sure takes significant time to cycle them through what with a handful of bust-ish guys from the first couple years. But I can't say we are being treated unfairly based on our "Last Dog" status OSS. Just need to keep winning on the margins bud! As always, good luck this season.
Thank you... we'll still have some levers to press in free agency as players get desperate closer to the start of the season and in the trade market as teams fall out of contention, so I think we can still guide this team back into the playoffs!
I don’t think it’s “best case scenario” you lost out on a FA bat. However, you did try and knew when to back out. Austin Riley is still interesting, but not on a 4 year guarantee. I’d sign him to a 3 year deal with team options for the last two seasons (if I signed him). I know a right handed bat is still a priority for you, but it may be time to look for the secondary objectives since there isn’t a clear cut upgrade. No reason to spend money just to spend it. Keep some headroom to take on contracts at the deadline, but allocate the money back into at least player development while you have players in the development lab. (I dont know if having more money helps with success, but it feels like when I have more money and good coach relationships, I have a higher percentage of success)
Sneaky bugger that Bamei. All those negative vibes on his personality makes me show him the door. Even if joining the team he might be a problem. Since he isn't that very good on defense and looks to be HR quality alone (so slow, and probably never going to run out a hit to first base, thanks to his personality) Then I might have the same vibes as Endo, sadly it's gone personal. If your arm is twisted I would go with Royce. At least he is proven but still bad personality. Financial Lewsi was a better pick. But at the end of the day I might not have signed any of them. Sadly I never had time to cast my vote, but I think you knew in back of your head that it wouldn't have been Bamei. I voiced my complain earlier I think. Hm, of course the Dodger Blues stepped in and made "Yankee type" signings. Have the game AI Dodgers taken over the old style that Yankees signed all the big players sooner or later ? Hard to compete with fav clubs and ask players to come to Oakland. Royce really went bad asking for such a huge increase and obviously played out GMs against each others. Game wise it's cool, IRL it stinks. It was hard negotiations and difficult to swallow with my morning coffee 🤮 (Heck, Royce went up more than 30$m total) Much more relaxing watching The Open on Troon this morning 🤓, but your episodes are always cool to watch. (Don't call the non signings a failure)
Ha, yes, although you had not opined on the past episode, I did know your feelings on Bamei! Hope you are enjoying the Open! Too bad that Tiger didn't save some of the fire he directed at Monty to help his floundering golf game...
@@oldschoolsports It's nice to see the older stars still get their moment. I spotted John Daly in full beard now close to 60y. The chain smoking John that somehow might have carried over the status Craig Stadler once had. Anyone can play 🙄no matter shape or form.
