
Bob Melvin and his staff will have some tough decisions to make if/when they have to narrow down Oakland's active roster from 40 to 25 for the postseason.
Playoff teams have to set their roster prior to each round and cannot make changes until the next series, except in the case of injury. The American League Wild Card Game does count as its own round, meaning the winner of that game can set a new roster for the American League Division Series.
With 11 games remaining in the regular season, the A's and Yankees appear to be headed toward a Wild Card showdown. With that in mind, we decided to take a stab at Oakland's projected roster and starting lineup.
Catchers: Jonathan Lucroy, Josh Phegley
Infielders: Matt Olson, Jed Lowrie, Marcus Semien, Matt Chapman
Outfielders: Stephen Piscotty, Ramón Laureano, Nick Martini, Dustin Fowler, Matt Joyce
DH: Khris Davis
Utility: Chad Pinder, Mark Canha
Pitchers: Mike Fiers, Blake Treinen, Lou Trivino, Jeurys Familia, Fernando Rodney, Shawn Kelley, Ryan Buchter, Cory Gearrin, Yusmeiro Petit, Daniel Mengden, Brett Anderson
Starting lineup (vs RHP)
1. Nick Martini - LF
2. Matt Chapman - 3B
3. Jed Lowrie - 2B
4. Khris Davis - DH
5. Matt Olson - 1B
6. Stephen Piscotty - RF
7. Marcus Semien - SS
8. Ramón Laureano - CF
9. Jonathan Lucroy - C
Mike Fiers - RHP
Starting lineup (vs LHP)
1. Ramón Laureano - CF
2. Matt Chapman - 3B
3. Jed Lowrie - 2B
4. Khris Davis - DH
5. Stephen Piscotty - RF
6. Matt Olson - 1B
7. Marcus Semien - SS
8. Mark Canha - LF
9. Jonathan Lucroy - C
Mike Fiers - RHP
You probably noticed Edwin Jackson and Trevor Cahill were left off this roster. Since it's only a one-game series, Mengden and Anderson could provide long relief if necessary. Jackson and Cahill would then be added to the ALDS roster, if the A's were to advance. Liam Hendriks would also likely join the ALDS roster so Melvin would have the option of “bullpenning.”
Jackson, Cahill, and Hendriks would probably replace Joyce, Fowler or Canha, and Mengden or Petit. Mengden would seem to be a better bet for the ALDS roster than Petit because of his success in “bullpenning” games. As for the outfielders, Melvin would have to decide what he values most -- Fowler would provide the best pinch-running option, but Canha has crushed left-handed pitching and could be a valuable pinch-hitter.
As we stated at the top, Melvin will have some difficult choices to make. But it's a nice problem to have.
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