The A’s wanted to sign Matt Joyce from the start of free agency, but Oakland’s newest outfielder wonders whether his destiny was charted much earlier.
In his introductory news conference with Bay Area media Wednesday, Joyce shared that he recently came across a kindergarten project he did as a youngster. On the back was posed the question: “What do you want to be when you grow up?”
The 5-year-old Joyce answered:
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SIGN UP HERE “I want to be a player for the A’s.”
This was the late 1980's, the height of Bash Brother mania in the Bay Area. But how on earth did a pre-grade schooler growing up in Carrollwood, Fla., even know about the A’s?
Joyce isn’t sure himself.
“I don’t know if that’s just fate or whatever it is, but I thought that was really cool.”
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On a much more practical level, Joyce seems a good fit after signing a two-year $11 million contract Wednesday. A left-handed hitter with a knack for getting on base, the 32-year-old Joyce is likely to get significant at-bats against right-handed pitchers, general manager David Forst said. He could fit as a platoon with Mark Canha in right field while also seeing time in a DH slot that can rotate between Joyce, Khris Davis, Ryon Healy, Jed Lowrie and others, pending further roster moves.
Forst said he’s on the hunt for the everyday center fielder the A’s badly need, and that addition could come via free agency or trade. The GM didn’t even rule out adding another corner outfielder. But Joyce was a player the A’s set their sights on early in the offseason.
“One of the first calls I made was to Seth Levinson (Joyce’s agent) and told him I thought Matt would be a good fit,” Forst said. “He’s a guy who’s played in the American League, spent a year in the American League West and has a really consistent track record of hitting right-handed pitching.”
As for that kindergarten project, which Joyce came across while visiting his grandmother’s house over Thanksgiving, the outfielder just chuckles. But he’d heard good things about the A’s from former Oakland catcher John Jaso, a teammate last season with Pittsburgh.
“We’re very similar, so I knew if he was comfortable and he enjoyed it, I would too,” Joyce said.
A lunch visit Tuesday with Forst, manager Bob Melvin, assistant GM Dan Feinstein and head trainer Nick Paparesta reinforced the good vibes.
Now Joyce is determined to earn as much playing time as possible. An All-Star with the Rays in 2011, Joyce was traded to the Angels before the 2015 season and hit just .174 in 93 games that year. He hooked on with Pittsburgh on a minor league deal last season and found his niche off the bench, leading the majors in RBI (15) for a pinch hitter and tying for the majors lead with four homers. He also drew a major league-record 21 pinch-hit walks.
Joyce credits his work with Craig Wallenbrock, a hitting instructor who’s had success with J.D. Martinez, and Bobby Tewksbary, a swing guru who’s helped Josh Donaldson, with helping him right the ship in 2016.
“You’ve got to search for answers, and no one’s gonna come knock on your door to give them to you,” he said.
The A’s are keeping their options open for a center fielder, though Forst noted in-house options Brett Eibner and Jake Smolinski. Dexter Fowler and Ian Desmond are the top free agents available, with mlbtraderumors.com pegging them for four-year deals in the neighborhood of $60 million. Carlos Gomez’s numbers have slipped the past couple of years but he’s still a big talent who could also command a large multi-year deal. Other options include Austin Jackson, an experienced but less dynamic player than the three mentioned above who comes with a cheaper price tag.
ESPN’s Buster Olney reported that Cincinnati Reds speedster Billy Hamilton could be available in a trade, though he would cost a hefty package in return because he has three years of team control remaining. Hamilton is an excellent defender and perhaps the game’s most dangerous base runner. The A’s are lacking in both areas, but landing that caliber of player would be costly.
“We know we need to improve our defense in every area,” Forst said. “We’re looking for guys who can go catch the ball. We need to improve the lineup and our ability to get on base. I can’t tell you all those things are available in one player that’s gonna be available to us.”