Afrigather 5 video games into the brand new season, the Oakland Athletics are 1-4, and so they’ve seemed even worse than that document would lead you to consider. They’ve dedicated 13 errors, six greater than some other crew, and so they’ve allowed 11 stolen bases, two greater than some other crew. On the possession degree, the A’s have no real interest in fielding a aggressive crew, and it exhibits on the sphere.
Previous to Monday’s loss to the Boston Red Sox (BOS 9, OAK 0), the Athletics considerably surprisingly optioned outfielder Esteury Ruiz to Triple-A to clear a roster spot for waiver declare Tyler Nevin. Ruiz was the centerpiece in final offseason’s Sean Murphy commerce and he was off to a sizzling begin this season, going 3 for 7 with a double and a triple. He additionally led the AL with 63 steals in 2023.
This is what A’s GM David Forst mentioned concerning the resolution to demote Ruiz (via MLB.com):
“We talked about Esty a few occasions in the course of the spring,” A’s basic supervisor David Forst mentioned. “The place he suits within the lineup, on this crew, and the significance of him taking part in every single day. Seeing via the primary 4 video games, that wasn’t going to occur right here.”
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“Slicing down on strikeouts and getting on base are issues that we talked to him about all final season,” Forst mentioned. “He did make some good changes this spring. We noticed an enchancment in his exit velocity and a few higher at-bats. However the actuality is, to make use of his expertise, he must get on base. … He wants to have the ability to do this on a constant foundation. I am hoping with him main off every single day in Triple-A, it isn’t an extended keep for him down there.”
Ruiz, 25, didn’t have an particularly sturdy 2023 season regardless of the gaudy stolen base complete. He authored a .254/.309/.345 batting line that was 12% beneath common as soon as adjusted for ballpark. Additionally, regardless of his pace, Ruiz rated poorly within the outfield, registering minus-13 defensive runs saved. According to Baseball Reference’s calculations, he was a minus-0.1 WAR participant in 2023.
Reality be informed, Ruiz was not a lock to make the Opening Day roster this season. Miguel Andujar harm his knee in spring coaching and wanted surgical procedure, which opened a roster spot for Ruiz. It wasn’t till claiming Nevin that the A’s had a viable different for that roster spot. The recent begin to 2024 is sweet, however finally, sending Ruiz to Triple-A for additional improvement shouldn’t be outlandish.
Oakland acquired Ruiz from the Milwaukee Brewers because the headliner within the three-team Murphy commerce with the Atlanta Braves, and, to this point, that commerce has been an entire dud for the A’s. They acquired 5 gamers within the deal:
- OF Esteury Ruiz: Minus-0.1 WAR in 2023 and demoted to Triple-A in 2024
- LHP Kyle Muller: 6.99 ERA in 85 innings with the Athletics
- RHP Freddy Tarnok: Sidelined with hip surgical procedure
- C Manny Piña: Restricted to 4 video games with A’s by accidents
- RHP Royber Salinas: A’s No. 14 prospect per MLB.com
Along with Murphy, the Athletics additionally gave up righty Joel Payamps in that commerce, and Payamps emerged as one of many recreation’s prime relievers with the Brewers in 2023. He threw 70 2/3 innings with 77 strikeouts and a 2.55 ERA, and is a trusted late-inning arm. Murphy is an All-Star on the recreation’s most demanding place. For him and Payamps, the A’s did not get a lot in any respect.
This, sadly, is nothing new. The Matt Chapman and Matt Olson trades did not internet the A’s any important items — there’s nonetheless an opportunity catcher Shea Langeliers (Olson commerce) can develop right into a mainstay — and their farm system ranks as one of many worst within the recreation regardless of the firesale. MLB.com ranks the system 25th in baseball. Baseball America ranks them 25th as well.
In any case their trades, the Athletics ought to have extra younger expertise than they do. It is dangerous sufficient proprietor John Fisher has utterly abdicated his obligations as a steward of an MLB franchise, however the entrance workplace has additionally whiffed on far too many trades currently. Maybe Ruiz returns as a greater participant on the opposite aspect of the demotion. Proper now, this appears like one other A’s miss.
