It has been a busy offseason for the Athletics, who have plenty of new faces in the organization after making some big trades in March.
The A’s dealt infielders Matt Olson and Matt Chapman to the Atlanta Braves and Toronto Blue Jays last month, receiving a total of eight prospects in return for the two fan favorites. They also shipped starting pitcher Chris Bassitt to the New York Mets and received two prospects in that deal, too.
Through the trade market and free agency, Oakland acquired 13 new players this offseason.
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NBC Sports California’s Brodie Brazil and Bip Roberts broke down who they believe are the most intriguing additions to the A’s organization on the 2022 A’s Season Preview Show, and there’s plenty for fans to be excited about.
“Those three trades alone, they netted 10 players in return,” Brazil said. “That’s essentially a starting lineup, plus one.”
One name among the many new faces that stands out to Roberts is Cristian Pache, who is now ranked as Oakland’s No. 4 prospect by MLB.com. Though he’s still technically a rookie, the 6-foot-2, 23-year-old outfielder made his major league debut in 2020 for the Braves, where he had just eight hits in 67 career at-bats.
But Roberts believes there are big things in store for Pache in Oakland.
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“This guy has so much talent that we are going to see something special, again, bloom in the big leagues,” Roberts said. “He’s coming in with great talent. Everyone I talk to says he’s an 80-plus grade when it comes to big league prospects, which means he ranks really high. Now it’s just a matter of can he transition that into the major leagues?”
In 10 games for Oakland this spring, Pache is hitting .179/.233/.321 across 28 at-bats. He’s widely regarded for his speed in the outfield as well as his arm, and MLB.com predicts he could eventually earn multiple Gold Gloves.
“It’s safe to say, though, we don’t even really know what the package is going to be yet,” Brazil said of Pache. “The box has been opened, but I don’t think we actually know what’s inside in a very good way.”
While there’s still much to learn about Pache’s abilities, Roberts is encouraged by his high rank as a prospect.
“We do know that these guys are ranked high when it comes to Major League Baseball, when it comes to prospects, and Major League Baseball normally is right on point with that,” Roberts said.
A’s fans can also expect to see some heat from the mound in coming seasons thanks to right-handed pitcher Ryan Cusick, Oakland’s No. 9 prospect according to MLB.com.
Standing at 6-foot-6, the 22-year-old is a foreboding presence on the mound thanks to both his stature and his 95-100 mph fastball. Coupled with an impressive breaking ball, Cusick and his velocity compiled a 2.76 ERA with 34 strikeouts for the Low-A Augusta GreenJackets in 2021.
“Flamethrower,” Roberts said. “Our resident pitcher, Dave Stewart, I called him and asked him about this trade. He said, ‘B, this guy can bring it.’ And I started to look at some of his highlights and he will just challenge you with that fastball.
“... When you have a guy throwing 102 [miles per hour] and then he can break you off a curveball that changes the eye level, he’s going to be tough to hit. He’s something that the A’s need to replace a guy like Chris Bassitt.”
Both Pache and Cusick came to Oakland from the Braves organization as part of the Olson trade.
And while the A’s nabbed plenty of valuable prospects for some of their key players, a familiar, seasoned face is also returning to the Oakland Coliseum this season in Stephen Vogt. The 37-year-old catcher could see time at first base or even in the outfield this season after signing a one-year, $850,000 contract with the A’s.
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Brazil believes his presence in the clubhouse will be invaluable for Oakland this year as it navigates life without some of its biggest stars. Vogt played for the A’s from 2013-17 and is familiar with the organization -- so familiar, in fact, that he even has his own fan-created chant.
“Some people will say, ‘What’s this all about? You’re going back to the future here?’” Brazil said. “Stephen Vogt, clubhouse leader. And in a season like this where there’s so many unknowns, you want someone you can rely on on and off the field. Let’s be honest: he’s going to manage a Major League Baseball team someday.”
Despite losing several of their star players this offseason, A’s fans certainly have a future to look forward to thanks to young prospects and a beloved veteran.