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Could Josh Donaldson be walking off from Oakland Athletics?

By Brandon C. Williams

Sep 21, 2014; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Athletics third baseman Josh Donaldson (20) hits a walk off home run during the tenth inning against the Philadelphia Phillies at O.co Coliseum. Oakland won 8-6. Mandatory Credit: Bob Stanton-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 21, 2014; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Athletics third baseman Josh Donaldson (20) hits a walk off home run during the tenth inning against the Philadelphia Phillies at O.co Coliseum. Oakland won 8-6. Mandatory Credit: Bob Stanton-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Oakland Athletics woke up on Wednesday with the empty feeling that came from their all-in effort to reach the World Series, a dash that was derailed in a playoff loss to the Kansas City Royals.

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With little chance of signing pitcher Jon Lester, ESPN’s Buster Olney believes the A’s will look to retool by trading third baseman Josh Donaldson and/or closer Sean Doolittle. While pitcher Jeff Samardzija has one year left on his contract, Olney also feels the club will look to move him this winter rather than settling for a draft pick once Samardzija files for free agency after the 2015 season.

Donaldson, who will only be 29 on Opening Day of next year, would be highly sought after by clubs in need of both a solid defender and a power hitter whose numbers would take a step up simply by not playing half his games in O.co Coliseum. Donaldson hit just .255 this season, yet added 29 homers and 98 RBI while playing in all but four games despite nagging injuries. He has finished second among American Leaguers in WAR in each of the past two seasons along with leading the AL in range factor.

Doolittle is signed through 2018 and the A’s hold team options for 2019 and 2020. The club could still hold on to its All-Star closer, but with his value as high as could get, A’s GM Billy Beane could turn him over to a contender in need of a late frame stopper who averaged 12.8 strikeouts per nine innings.

Having traded OF Yoenis Cespades to the Red Sox for Lester and top prospect SS Addison Russell to the Cubs for Samardzija, the A’s could take a step back in 2015 if Donaldson, Doolittle and Samardzija all depart. The club has a wealth of prospects that are in range to contribute in 2016 and beyond, including SS Daniel Robertson, power hitting 1B Matt Olson and RHP Seth Streich.

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