Fansided

One free agent each MLB team needs to target this offseason

By Joshua Sadlock

WASHINGTON, DC - OCTOBER 27: Gerrit Cole #45 of the Houston Astros pitches in the first inning during Game 5 of the 2019 World Series between the Houston Astros and the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park on Sunday, October 27, 2019 in Washington, District of Columbia. (Photo by Alex Trautwig/MLB Photos via Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - OCTOBER 27: Gerrit Cole #45 of the Houston Astros pitches in the first inning during Game 5 of the 2019 World Series between the Houston Astros and the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park on Sunday, October 27, 2019 in Washington, District of Columbia. (Photo by Alex Trautwig/MLB Photos via Getty Images) /
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Mandatory Credit: Hannah Foslien/Getty Images
Mandatory Credit: Hannah Foslien/Getty Images /

Oakland Athletics: Jake Odorizzi

The 19-31 start and recovery to win the World Series for the Nationals has been well documented, but the Oakland A’s also had a similar poor start and rebound to make it back to the playoffs. The A’s started the year 19-25 before running out to 97 wins and claiming the top Wild Card for the American League. Per usual, Oakland did it with very few recognizable names and quality starting pitching.

The A’s have been the model small-market franchise for 20 years now, and have made the playoffs 10 times in the 21st Century. No other low-budget team comes close to matching their track record. The A’s have had only seven losing seasons in the 2000s, but the odds are never in their favor heading into a new season.

Oakland has an underrated but solid lineup, without a single weak link around the diamond. Filling out their starting rotation, where Brett Anderson’s one-year deal is up, is the biggest order of business for the offseason. The A’s paid Anderson only $1.5 million last year for 176 innings with an ERA+ of 111 – hard to beat that for a cash-strapped franchise.

If the A’s are serious about breaking through and getting past the ALDS for the first time since 2006, they’ll have to shoot a little higher this offseason. Veteran Jake Odorizzi is a great fit. The 29-year-old has the type of arsenal that would play well in pitcher-friendly Oakland. He is extremely stingy with the longball, and the A’s can lean on their strong bullpen and allow Odorizzi to play to his strengths and only face lineups twice.

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