One offseason move each MLB team needs to make

Oakland Athletics: Sign Jason Vargas

Oakland A’s wizard Billy Beane and his front office have hit more often than they have missed in the past few years after seeing their window for contention slammed shut after the 2014 season. The trade of Josh Donaldson for Brett Lawrie and the signing of Billy Butler stand out as the only obvious mistakes for the A’s in the personnel department.

The Athletics have been able to flip a few key players for big prospect returns, and Beane’s low-risk signings of Rich Hill and Ryan Madson have yielded some of his best returns and showcase his savvy. Oakland also pulled the trigger at the right time on their trade of Sonny Gray while keeping a few more chips in the fold to trade this year.

Oakland has been at their best during this rebuilding process when they identify veterans and sign them to middling contracts with an eye on trading them a year or two later. It’s a way for them to essentially add extra draft picks. Left-hander Jason Vargas is a target for this winter that fits that bill.

Vargas led the major leagues with 18 wins this year but finished with a 4.16 ERA and an ugly FIP of 4.67. He was helped out by pitching in spacious Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City. Oakland’s ballpark suppresses home runs even more and would be a place where Vargas could thrive. He will be 35 next February and has one more chance to cash in.