MESA, Ariz. — The vast majority of the spring noticed the A’s clearing up their Opening Day roster by buying and selling their greatest guys off to different Main League groups, leaving holes at first and third base the place former All-Stars Matt Olson and Matt Chapman used to roam.
However as Opening Day nears, the sides of the roster are being determined, too, and Monday’s cuts appear to offer readability on who received key roster battles within the infield to exchange the Matts.
Oakland despatched non-roster invitees Eric Thames and Dalton Kelly to Triple-A Las Vegas, two main first basemen who have been competing to exchange Olson after the A’s traded the two-time All Star to Atlanta.
With the minimize of Thames and Kelly, it looks like Oakland is not going to have an on a regular basis first baseman however reasonably use quite a lot of gamers. Lately-signed veterans Stephen Vogt and Jed Lowrie determine to be within the combine at first base alongside Seth Brown, Chad Pinder and doubtlessly Billy McKinney, a non-roster invitee who continues to be among the many 32 gamers left in large league camp.
The transfer additionally hints that the A’s are more likely to maintain Austin Allen on the large league roster along with Vogt and Sean Murphy, the first catcher. With groups in a position to maintain 28 gamers for the month of April, two greater than the standard 26, and the designated hitter now being utilized in Nationwide League parks, Oakland seems to be planning to make use of Vogt at first base and DH in addition to catcher.
Along with Thames and Kelly, the A’s additionally reassigned non-roster invitee infielders Christian Bethancourt and Christian Lopes to Las Vegas, each of whom impressed within the spring. Bethancourt had eight hits, together with one house run, in simply 21 at-bats and Lopes had 9 hits in 23 video games to go together with a house run as effectively.
Oakland additionally outrighted infielder Vimael Machín to Las Vegas, utilizing one of many two remaining minor league choices he has left. for the 28-year-old. The transfer means Kevin Smith, the utility infielder the A’s acquired from Toronto within the Chapman commerce, will seemingly make the Opening Day roster.
A shortstop by nature, Smith has been primarily taking part in third base and will instantly slot in as Chapman’s alternative as quickly as Opening Day. On the plate, Smith has 12 hits in 36 at-bats, together with three homers and a team-leading 10 RBI.
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