Two Options I Overlooked

A few days ago I outlined a plan for the A's to take this offseason now that they were no longer interested in Rafael Furcal.  In my analysis, though, I missed two options the A's have for turning their roster into a contending one for 2009.

I noted that the A's should consider acquiring Adam Dunn, Pat Burrell, Jason Giambi, and Nick Johnson to play 1B in 2009 (and in the case of Dunn and Burrell for a few more years as well).  Each of these players have their warts, Dunn and Burrell would have to move to a new position and are unlikely to be positives on defense.  Additionally, both have played the last few seasons in favorable home ballparks, meaning their numbers may be a bit inflated.  Johnson and Giambi are big time injury risks and Giambi is not someone you really want playing the field very much.  Furthermore, Dunn, Johnson, and Giambi are all lefties, which is not ideal as the A's' best hitters (except for Holliday) are left handed.  That isn't to say that these guys have no place on the A's.  Each do have value to the A's and if the money is right, then the A's should pounce.  This list, however, leaves off (at least) one important name.

A free agent player who does not have these problems, albeit some problems of his own, is Casey Blake.   Blake hit .274/.345/.463 last season splitting time between the Dodgers and Indians.  His career line is .264/.334/.447. Granted, these are not the types of numbers you'd ideally like from a first baseman, and at the age of 35 next season, there's no reason to expect a big improvement on his career numbers.  That being said Blake provides a benefit that none of the other available first basemen provid: flexibility.  Blake has played first, third, and right field and is competent at all three.  This is important for the A's, as Blake can play third when Eric Chavez is unavailable (which he almost certainly will be for portions of the season).  Signing Blake would also give Daric Barton a chance to contribute to the big league team if and when the A's feel he's ready to do so.  Even if the A's want to start him on the big league roster, the A's can give the majority of the playing time to Barton at first, Chavez at third, Buck in right, and Cust at DH, but also start Blake at each of those positions once or twice a week.  Again, Blake may not be the best fit in the world as his offensive potential is a touch lower than that of some of the other options and is seeking a three year deal, whereas Johnson and Giambi would be signed only through this year.  If the price is right, however, Blake wouldn't make a bad signing.

Another area I suggested the A's focus was on starting pitching.  Given that the A's are interested in signing Randy Johnson, I assume they're open to signing any veteran starting pitcher (kind of like a pitching version of a Frank Thomas/Mike Piazza signing).  In addition to the Big Unit, the A's should also consider John Smoltz.  Even though Smoltz only pitched in 6 games last year, he pitched over 200 innings in the three years before that and has been anywhere from good to dominant virtually every year of his career (his career HIGH ERA is 4.14 in 1997).  Again, if the price is right, the A's should strike.