Though Boston Red Sox manager John Farrell appears to be a runaway for AL Manager of the Year, Oakland A's manager Bob Melvin has a strong case to pull off the upset.
The Baseball Writers' Association of America announced the three candidates: Farrell, Melvin and the Cleveland Indians' Terry Francona. The winner will be announced on Tuesday, Nov. 12 at 6 p.m. ET on the MLB Network.
Of course there are those who will claim he has no chance, so let's take a look at the others first. In fact, this tweet doesn't even list Melvin in the debate:
In his first year ...
The Oakland A's have been building steam the past two seasons, making the playoffs as AL West champions in back-to-back years. To keep momentum and success rolling, there are a few things the team must do, such as filling holes left by veterans and adding more punch to the lineup.
Edward Creech of MLBTradeRumors.com jokes "the Athletics' main objective this offseason should be to figure out a way to beat Justin Verlander in an ALDS Game 5."
It would be funnier if it wasn't true.
In 2012, Oakland's lineup lit up the scoreboard during the late summer days of the season. Then it ...
"Welcome to AT&T Park, home of the San Francisco Giants and Oakland Athletics."
Don't laugh. We might actually be saying that in real life before long.
As reported by Phillip Matier and Andrew Ross of the San Francisco Chronicle, Major League Baseball is on board with the idea of having the A's play home games at the home of the Giants if officials for O.Co Coliseum can't get a new short-term lease agreement done.
If it happens, it would start next season and it wouldn't be a one-year thing. It would a two-year thing, one that would likely serve as a stepping stone for ...
Josh Reddick was a part of the Andrew Bailey trade between the Oakland A's and Boston Red Sox before the 2012 season. At the time it was seen as a typical star-for-prospects trade by Oakland's general manager, Billy Beane.
That was the thought before Reddick smashed 32 home runs in his first year with the A's and brought a gold glove to Oakland's outfield in 2012. Reddick's play was a factor in helping Oakland reach the playoffs for the first time since 2006.
Then came the 2013 season and with it came heightened expectations for the right-fielder as well as the rest ...
Oakland heads into the offseason with team control over nearly all of its roster and back-to-back AL West crowns, so chances are that there will be more tweaking than wholesale changes going on under GM Billy Beane's watchful eye over the next few months.
Then again, Beane has thrown the baseball world a curveball that seemingly comes out of nowhere—such as the team's decision to sign Cuban free agent Yoenis Cespedes before the 2012 season—so it's wise for A's fans to be prepared for anything.
Keep it here for the most up-to-the-minute rumblings about the A's along with analysis and everything else ...
From 2012 to 2013 the Oakland Athletics kept their roster mostly intact. In both seasons, they went as far as Game 5 of the ALDS. Chances are, they'll keep this roster in 2014 as well, but if they want to get over the hump, there are a few moves worth looking into.
Don't put it past general manager Billy Beane to make a move.
It might not be a wild, Matt Holliday-caliber move. Then again, this close to contending for a World Series berth, maybe he does decide to pull the trigger on a more high-profile player.
This list contains both. There are ...
Grant Balfour has been a force at the back of the Oakland Athletics' bullpen for the last three years, but could be on his way out now that his contract has expired.
After the A's second straight trip to the American League Division Series in 2013, MLB.com writer Jane Lee said the team wants to maintain its solid core.
Retaining Balfour would help the A's return to the playoffs, but he comes with a lot of baggage. A's general manager Billy Beane needs to weigh the advantages and disadvantages of bringing backs his closer.
Pros:
He Locks Down the Ninth Inning
Balfour served as a ...
Just as they do every offseason, the Oakland Athletics must make decisions on key free agents, arbitration-eligible players and potential trades. Yet this year, the stakes are very high.
The A's are coming off a repeat AL West championship. Unfortunately, they are coming off a repeat ALDS Game 5 loss. The core of the team—Josh Donaldson, Yoenis Cespedes, the young pitchers in the starting rotation—are all returning. For others, such as Jed Lowrie, Brandon Moss and Josh Reddick, it's just a matter of how much they'll earn.
But after two years of coming so close to an ALCS, fans should expect more. ...
The narrative for the Oakland A's under GM Billy Beane has been simple.
The A's front office builds a contender using young and inexpensive stars. Then tears it all down when those youngsters become too costly, and repeats the process all over again. Looking out onto the horizon, however, the story appears to be changing in Oakland.
With a few exceptions, the club's young core of hitters is under team control not just for 2014, but 2015 as well.
So, what will the A's lineup look like on Opening Day 2015?
Familiar faces will occupy nearly every spot. As back-to-back ALDS exits demonstrate, however, the ...
If there's anyone who can eventually lead the Oakland A's to a World Series, it's current manager Bob Melvin.
First and foremost, he's done an outstanding job as it is with this current group. Melvin took the helm two months into the 2011 season with the A's already nine games below .500. In the midst of turmoil and a managerial change, Melvin led the team to a 47-52 record under his tutelage.
From 2011 to 2012, Melvin increased the team's winning percentage from .475 to .580. That quick turnaround led to a "surprise" AL West championship and a 94-68 record. His leadership ...