MLB free agency: One free agent each team should sign

Oakland Athletics: Miguel Gonzalez

With signs of life coming from the A’s offense in the second half, Billy Beane is getting closer to fielding a ballclub that can contend again for a few years before it gets too expensive. For Oakland, cycles of contention have typically been led by the development of young starting pitching. This time around, it is the hitters leading the charge while the rotation takes its time to develop.

The A’s can either get lucky with pitching prospects or hitting prospects maturing and developing into All-Stars. Getting both at the same time would be next to impossible on their budget. Beane and his front office will gladly take what they’ve gotten from Ryon Healy, Matt Olson and Khris Davis while hoping Sean Manaea and Jharel Cotton can deliver on their immense potential.

Oakland will have to supplement their starting rotation with a little outside help this winter, and a name that makes some sense on a short-term deal is right-hander Miguel Gonzalez who split this season between the White Sox and Texas Rangers. Gonzalez was cut by the Orioles before the start of the 2016 season, but rebounded to go 13-20 with a 4.20 ERA since.

Gonzalez is a fly-ball pitcher who has been battered in his brief time with the Rangers this season. He is best suited for a park like Oakland’s that keeps home runs in the park. The A’s could do worse than adding a pitcher of his caliber on a two-year deal and hoping he can be flipped for more prospects at the trade deadline.