Fansided

Each MLB team’s expected call-ups for roster expansion

By Kyle Franzoni

May 11, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Archie Bradley against the Washington Nationals at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
May 11, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Archie Bradley against the Washington Nationals at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /
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Aug 6, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Athletics starting pitcher Aaron Brooks (36) throws a pitch against the Houston Astros during the first inning at O.co Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 6, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Athletics starting pitcher Aaron Brooks (36) throws a pitch against the Houston Astros during the first inning at O.co Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports /

Oakland Athletics

The Oakland Athletics went a very curious route in 2015. After mortgaging the farm for a run at the playoffs in 2014, the A’s decided to get pennies on the dollar for the players they landed in those trades and then shipped out All-Star third baseman Josh Donaldson in a separate deal. As expected, that led to a tough season that currently has Oakland sporting the worst record in the American League.

As expected, that leaves the A’s in full evaluation form. Given the fact that the deals that shipped out Donaldson and Jeff Samardzija last winter, and then subsequently Ben Zobrist and Tyler Clippard at the trade deadline, brought in mostly prospects, Oakland is in an ample position to get a good look at exactly what they acquired in those deals. Two pitchers highlight stand at the top of the pack in terms of those acquired.

Aaron Brooks has already seen some time with Oakland and has shown some potential (along with some struggles) in his brief stint with the big club. Giving him some extra time to iron out those kinks down the stretch will give the A’s a firsthand look at exactly what they have in the right-hander.

Likewise, Sean Nolin could get some time in the big leagues. Acquired in the deal for Donaldson, Nolin has looked good in 13 appearances in Nashville this season, but he’s had trouble being healthy for long stretches of time and as such, hasn’t seen a big league mound yet in 2015. With the minor league season ending soon, promoting Nolin in September will allow him to continue to get some innings on his arm and hopefully catch him up for 2016.

Outside of arms though, Oakland may struggle with bringing position players up. The team lacks any true DFA candidates that would clear room on the 40-man roster, limiting them to players already on it. That means players like Tyler Ladendorf, Rangel Ravelo, Renato Nunez, and Craig Gentry may seem some more big league time at some point in September.

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