Skip to main content

CSN Bay Area

HOME  >  NEWS  >  SPORTS
Plenty left on A's to-do list as winter meetings arrive
Share This Post
Comments
Saturday, December 6, 2014 - 5:30pm
Follow @joestiglichcsn

Programming note: For the latest MLB Hot Stove news, tune in to SportsNet Central tonight at 6 p.m., 10:30 and midnight on Comcast SportsNet Bay Area

The A’s will arrive at the winter meetings having already set in motion an offseason roster makeover.

They’ve signed veteran designated hitter Billy Butler to a three-year contract and pulled off a stunning trade of third baseman Josh Donaldson. Will they continue to make waves during the winter meetings, which begin Monday in San Diego and run through Thursday?

That’s tough to forecast. They might already complete another move before they even set up shop at the Manchester Grand Hyatt hotel. Oakland has been negotiating with Cleveland on a deal that would send first baseman Brandon Moss to the Indians. Nothing was finalized as of Saturday afternoon. But the Cleveland Plain Dealer reported that if a trade does go down, it would be a one-for-one exchange, with minor league second baseman Joe Wendle a possibility to head to the A’s.

[RELATED: Possible Moss trade would be another blow to A's core]

Regardless of when – or if -- they trade Moss, the A’s should figure prominently as the winter meetings rumor mill gets churning. They’ve got a prime trade chip in right-hander Jeff Samardzija, and it would surprise no one if they deal their ace at some point before spring training. The fact that executives from all 30 teams will be in the same building together for four days offers a good chance for productive discussions. 

But will the A’s actually complete a move during the offseason’s headline event? Last winter, Oakland made three trades and signed free agent Scott Kazmir shortly before the meetings began. Incredibly, they kept the momentum going during the four-day event, dealing lefty Brett Anderson to the Colorado Rockies and reliever Jerry Blevins to the Washington Nationals.

In other years, the A’s have used the meetings to lay the groundwork for deals. In 2011, Oakland left the meetings in Dallas without completing any activity but then announced the following day that pitcher Trevor Cahill was dealt to the Arizona Diamondbacks.

As for Samardzija, he could fetch the A’s a nice package of young players in return, even though the acquiring team might only have him for one season. Samardzija is set to hit free agency after the 2015 season and he’s indicated that he won’t sign a long-term contract until testing the open market.

But if the A’s intend to trade Samardzija, they might wait until at least one of the big-ticket free agent starters signs, which could add urgency for pitching-hungry teams to want to trade for a starter. Jon Lester, Max Scherzer and James Shields are the top free agent pitchers, with some reports suggesting Lester could decide soon between a handful of interested teams, including the Giants.

The A’s are in need of a starting shortstop, and if a potential trade of Moss doesn’t bring them one, perhaps a Samardzija deal would.

Will Oakland make any more additions via free agency? General manager Billy Beane has said he probably won’t sign a free-agent shortstop, but an area in which the A’s have shown a willingness to spend in past years is the bullpen.

Setup man Luke Gregerson appears headed elsewhere via free agency, and the A’s could use a quality right-hander to replace him in the late-inning mix. Some of the names they could find enticing are Jason Grilli, Casey Janssen, Pat Neshek, Francisco Rodriguez, Sergio Romo and Rafael Soriano.

Also, it’s not out of the question the A’s could look for bargains on the starting pitching front simply to add some insurance toward the back of the rotation.

NBCBayArea.com

There is no data to display.

Video

Highlights: Stauskas scores 15 in Kings' win over Jazz
Malone: 'We were able to get stops and hang around'
Stauskas: 'About time something went in for me'
Highlights: Curry, Thompson lead Warriors to 13th straight win

Giants

Report: Mariners in lead to land Melky Cabrera
Diamondbacks finalize $68.5M deal with Yasmany Tomas
Conflicting reports: Lester to choose between Cubs, Giants?
Report: Giants meet with Lester's agent again, 'hoping to strike a deal'
Read More

Athletics

Samardzija trade on horizon for A's at Winter Meetings
Beane has turned A's into ultimate cyclical crop
Report: A's close to trading Samardzija to White Sox
A's players won't 'raise the white flag' despite trades
Read More

Sharks

Sharks' Kennedy out indefinitely, forward on way from AHL
Sharks' year of transition showing signs of promise
Shot of the Game: McGinn scores off Marleau's backhand saucer
Instant Replay: Oilers put end to Sharks' win streak
Read More

49ers

Steve Young: 49ers leaders share blame for poor showings
Steak takes bite out of Harbaugh
Harbaugh supports Kaepernick through 'rough patch'
Decision time for 49ers LB Bowman nears
Read More

Raiders

Sparano wants to remain Raiders head coach
Sparano reacts to Moore calling out Kaepernick on Instagram
Raiders Week 14 victory over 49ers: Three negatives
Raiders Week 14 victory over 49ers: Three positives
Read More

Warriors

Bogut on knee injury: 'Nothing too serious'
Instant Replay: Warriors beat T'Wolves, run streak to 13
Curry reminds Lacob of Warriors history, shows off throw-weight
NBA Gameday: Warriors big favorites in Minnesota
Read More

NCAA

Three finalists headed to NYC for Heisman presentation
San Francisco shoots past Houston Baptist, 85-54
Wallace scores 29 to lead Cal past Nevada
Stanford accepts Foster Farms Bowl invitation vs. Maryland
Read More
  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • MLB Standings
  • Insider Andrew Baggarly
  • Amy G
  • Buy Giants Gear
  • Buy Giants Tickets

Latest News

Report: Mariners in lead to land Melky Cabrera
(2)
CSN Bay Area staff

GIANTS VIDEO

YSTL: Do Giants need to sign Lester?
YSTL: Do Giants need to sign Lester?
See more >

GIANTS INSIDER

There is no data to display.

  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • MLB Standings
  • Insider Joe Stiglich
  • Buy Athletics Gear
  • Buy Athletics Tickets

Latest News

Samardzija trade on horizon for A's at Winter Meetings
Joe Stiglich

A's VIDEO

Was Donaldson traded over feud with GM?
Was Donaldson traded over feud with GM?
See more >

A's INSIDER

  • Samardzija trade on horizon for A's at Winter Meetings
  • A's players won't 'raise the white flag' despite trades
  • A's ship Moss to Indians for infield prospect
  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • NHL Standings
  • Insider Kevin Kurz
  • Buy Sharks Gear
  • Buy Sharks Tickets

Latest News

Sharks' Kennedy out indefinitely, forward on way from AHL
(2)
Kevin Kurz

SHARKS VIDEO

McLellan frustrated over slow start, lack of polish
McLellan frustrated over slow start, lack of polish
See more >

SHARKS INSIDER

  • 49ers Notes: Goodwin not worried about fumbles
  • Harbaugh sticking with Akers
  • Boone, 49ers have hands full with Wilfork
  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • NBA Standings
  • Insider Monte Poole
  • Buy Warriors Gear
  • Buy Warriors Tickets

Latest News

Bogut on knee injury: 'Nothing too serious'
Monte Poole

WARRIORS VIDEO

Highlights: Curry, Thompson lead Warriors to 13th straight win
Highlights: Curry, Thompson lead Warriors to 13th straight win
See more >

WARRIORS INSIDER

  • Critics should look to Gwynn when judging Sandoval
  • Poole's Baseball Hall of Fame ballot unveiled
  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • NBA Standings
  • Insider Bill Herenda
  • Buy Kings Gear
  • Buy Kings Tickets
  • Channel locations

Latest News

Instant Replay: Kings use big fourth to beat Jazz 101-92
Bill Herenda

Kings Video

Highlights: Stauskas scores 15 in Kings' win over Jazz
Highlights: Stauskas scores 15 in Kings' win over Jazz
See more >

There is no data to display.

  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • NFL Standings
  • Insider Matt Maiocco
  • Buy 49ers Gear
  • Buy 49ers Tickets

Latest News

Steve Young: 49ers leaders share blame for poor showings
(33)
Matt Maiocco

49ers VIDEO

49ers Quick Hits: Kaepernick staying sloppy
49ers Quick Hits: Kaepernick staying sloppy
See more >

49ers INSIDER

  • Steve Young: 49ers leaders share blame for poor showings
  • Steak takes bite out of Harbaugh
  • Harbaugh supports Kaepernick through 'rough patch'
  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • NFL Standings
  • Insider Scott Bair
  • Buy Raiders Gear
  • Buy Raiders Tickets

Latest News

Sparano wants to remain Raiders head coach
(7)
Scott Bair

RAIDERS VIDEO

Raiders Quick Hits: Sparano wants to stay
Raiders Quick Hits: Sparano wants to stay
See more >

RAIDERS INSIDER

  • Sparano wants to remain Raiders head coach
  • Sparano reacts to Moore calling out Kaepernick on Instagram
  • Raiders Week 14 victory over 49ers: Three negatives
  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • MLS Standings
  • MLS Player Leaders
  • Buy Quakes Gear
  • Buy Quakes Tickets

Top Story

Galaxy beat Revolution for fifth MLS Cup title
Associated Press

Quakes Video

Wondolowski reflects on his World Cup experience
Wondolowski reflects on his World Cup experience
See more >

Shop

ANDREW BAGGARLY

Giants make Sandoval quick-strike offer
(39)
See more >

JOE STIGLICH

Samardzija trade on horizon for A's at Winter Meetings
See more >

MATT MAIOCCO

Steve Young: 49ers leaders share blame for poor showings
(33)
See more >

SCOTT BAIR

Sparano wants to remain Raiders head coach
(7)
See more >

MONTE POOLE

Bogut on knee injury: 'Nothing too serious'
See more >

BILL HERENDA

Instant Replay: Kings use big fourth to beat Jazz 101-92
See more >

KEVIN KURZ

Sharks' Kennedy out indefinitely, forward on way from AHL
(2)
See more >

RAY RATTO

Beane has turned A's into ultimate cyclical crop

FIND OUT HOW TO WIN 49ERS TICKETS!

49ers

Click here to find out how to win 49ers tickets!

SATURDAY NIGHT ON ICE SHARKS POSTER!

more

Click here to find out how to win a Sharks collectors edition poster!

AUTHENTIC FAN THURSDAY

Click here to buy your Sharks tickets in the Authentic Fan Thursday section!



NCAA

Stanford accepts Foster Farms Bowl invitation vs. Maryland
Alabama, Oregon, FSU, Ohio State earn Playoff berths

MORE

  • SaberCats
  • Fight Sports
  • Motor Sports
  • GolfChannel.com
  • Tennis
  • Ray Ratto

 

TICKETS

  • Giants Tickets
  • A's Tickets
  • 49ers Tickets
  • Raiders Tickets
  • Warriors Tickets
  • Kings Tickets
  • Sharks Tickets
Curry Jersey
Giants Fitted Hat
49ers Hoodie

Mega Menu: Shop

  • Giants
  • A's Shop
  • 49ers
  • Raiders Shop
  • Warriors
  • Kings Shop
  • Sharks Shop

Mega Menu: Shop - Tickets

  • Giants Tickets
  • A's Tickets
  • 49ers Tickets
  • Raiders Tickets
  • Warriors Tickets
  • Kings Tickets
  • Sharks Tickets

Latest Videos

Highlights: Stauskas scores 15 in Kings' win over Jazz
Highlights: Stauskas scores 15 in Kings' win over Jazz
See more >

ONLINE SHOWS

  • Carpool Confessions
  • Amy G’s Exclusives
  • Buster Knows Squat
  • Humm BB
  • Bullshootin'

TV SHOWS

  • All Videos
  • SportsNet Central
  • Yahoo SportsTalk Live

INSIDERS

  • Ray Ratto - Senior Insider
  • Matt Maiocco - 49ers
  • Scott Bair - Raiders
  • Monte Poole - Warriors
  • Bill Herenda - Kings
  • Kevin Kurz - Sharks
  • Andrew Baggarly - Giants
  • Joe Stiglich - A's
  • TV Schedule - Bay Area and California
  • Channel Locations - Bay Area
  • Channel Locations - California