MLB Power Rankings: Post Winter Meetings

ORLANDO, FL - DECEMBER 11: Giancarlo Stanton is introduced as a member of the New York Yankees during the 2017 Winter Meetings at the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Resort on Monday, December 11, 2017 in Orlando, Florida. (Photo by Alex Trautwig/MLB Photos via Getty Images) /

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SAN DIEGO, CA – SEPTEMBER 7: Stephen Piscotty #55 of the St. Louis Cardinals plays during a baseball game against the San Diego Padres at PETCO Park on September 7, 2017 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Denis Poroy/Getty Images) /

25. Oakland Athletics

The Oakland Athletics trade at the Winter Meetings for St. Louis Cardinals outfielder Stephen Piscotty was bigger than baseball. The Cards could have sought to trade him to several potential partners who were interested in acquiring him, but ultimately elected to deal him to Oakland so he could be closer to his mother as she battles ALS. Everyone wins in this classy move.

Piscotty will be looking to bounce back from a disappointing 2017 season in St. Louis. Peace of mind from being closer to his mother could help him come back strong from a season where he hit only .235/.342/.367 with nine home runs and 39 RBI in 107 games. Piscotty had hit .282/.348/.467 with 29 home runs and 124 RBI in his first two seasons at the MLB level and also starred in the 2015 NLDS where he hit three home runs in four games.

Oakland is quietly building one of the more underrated, young lineups in baseball, and it only gets better with Piscotty in the fold. The A’s were fourth in the AL in home runs and slugging percentage last year and will get a full year from Matt Olson, who hit 24 home runs in only 59 games.

The A’s aren’t likely to make a play on any of the bigger free agents left on the market, but could find themselves in the running to land a mid-tier arm on a pillow contract. They have also already signed relief ace Yusmeiro Petit. Slowly, but surely, the A’s are getting closer to being a competitive team in the AL West.

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