About a month ago, Oakland Athletics general manager Billy Beane mentioned that the team may not pick up the 2014 option for catcher Kurt Suzuki.
Today the team announced that they will not pick up the $8.5 million dollar option and will allow Suzuki to test the market. He played somewhat decent for the team late in the season as he hit .232/.290/.337 this season with five home runs and 32 RBI’s between Washington and Oakland.
He returned to Oakland this season after spending a year in a half with Washington. Before Washington he spend six seasons with the Oakland Athletics dating back to 2007.
Suzuki could be a solid back up for an organization who needs help behind the plate. Hint hint Chicago Cubs.
The Oakland Athletics have also declined outfielder Chris Young’s option. They’ll give him a $1.5 million buyout as he batted .200/.280/.379 across the line after he was picked up during the 2012 off-season.
He’s a 30 year old outfielder who could pick up another big league contract, if not a minor league deal with a Spring Training invitation.
Veteran outfielder Coco Crisp did have his option exercised by the organization and will make $7.5 million next season. Crisp is coming off his first ever 20/20 season in his career.
They also exercised left handed pitcher Brett Anderson’s 2014 option which will give him $8 million for next season. He put up a 6.04 ERA and was once again over run by injuries this season.