Spring Training was previously characterized by positive bullpens from Dallas Braden and a rather petite Brett Anderson, the plethora of young faces descending on to Phoenix Municipal Stadium, and the highly publicized arrival of "the" Manny Ramirez as he vocally proclaimed his new found optimism towards the game. And it seemed as though the first day of full workouts would be mundane and ordinary. But as Scott Sizemore was routinely fielding ground balls at third, something odd occured. An awkward step. A twist. A turn. An "audible pop" was heard by onlookers as Sizemore immediately collapsed in excruciating pain. He was helped off of the field and the mood around camp suddenly took a dreary turn. Two days later it was made official to the public that Scott Sizemore, at the one position Oakland could least afford to lose, had torn his anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) within the first hour of the first day of full workouts and he would effectively miss the 2012 season.
Only in Oakland, folks
Now with Sizemore missing the 2012 season, a very relevant question arises: Who is Oakland's starting 3rd baseman in 2012? After an offseason where most were fretful of how a major league outfield would come into exsistance for the Athletics and who would be proclaimed the starting DH and 1B now has to worry about fielding a major league thrid baseman... In late February. There is a lengthy list of possible suitors of which Oakland can choose from. But are any even qualified to produce in the major leagues? Let's take a look at the candidates:
I will combine Eric Sogard and Adam Rosales for the sole reason of both being the epitome of utility infielders. Trademarked by his choice of optical flair, Sogard has had a sucsessful minor league career batting .300/.391 and .298/.381 in 2010 and 2011. The sucsess has not caught up to him in the majors, however, batting .200/.243 stepping to the plate 74 times in 2011. Not to mention Sogard's K% ballooned to 17.8% in Oakland. While Sogard needs far more ABs to make a permanent verdict, he'd be more inclined to take to the utility role in 2012. Rosales could be characterized by his unique choice of choosing to sprint around the bases during his homeruns. This characteristic has endeared him to fans, but his numbers remain less than desirable. He took the honor of having a team worst WAR in 2011 (-1.0) batting a mere 7-61. Rosales, frankly, wouldn't have a major league bat to survive 140+ games at 3rd. The team has already stated that they viewed Rosales and Sogard has utility players in 2012 so don't anticipate seeing those glasses or Rosales sprinting around the basepaths very frequently in 2012.
Next up is the BYU product, Stephen Parker. Parker captured attention in AA Midland last season hitting .286/.373 playing in 132 games at 3rd. He was called up to play with the AAA club in Sacramento late in the season and batted .320 in 27 plate appearances. An area of concern, however, is his strikeout rate. He had a 18.6 K% in Midland that could easily grow to a 20+% in Sacramento and the majors. While Parker will most likely play in some spring training games with the major league club, he'll most likely start off in Sacramento.
Next is a non-roster invite, Wes Timmons. The former Braves darling played with Atlanta's AAA club for 5 seasons (2006-2010) and didn't have a single season with a strikeout rate of 8.7%. He played for Midland and Sacramento last season and hit .365/.402 and .321/.432 in Oakland's minor league system. He also was able to draw a 13.0 BB% compared to his miniscule 4.3 K%. He possesses the ability and major league intangibles to preform in Oakland next season and with Sizemore's injury he could seize his chance.
But the seemingly leading candidate is none other than former A's catcher, Josh Donaldson. With the addition of Derek Norris and Anthony Recker looking to become the backup to Suzuki in 2012, Donaldson added third base to his resume. Donaldson hit .261/.344 in Sacamento last season with a K rate over 20%. But apparently his metrics, as reported by Susan Slusser, improved at thrid in the minors and when he played thrid in the domincan winter league. The team seems to support Donaldson with his switch and he has shown monumental signs of improvement in camp.
The team has been rumored of possibly looking at Felipe Lopez or even Miguel Tejada to make a return to Oakland. But most recently with Sizemore's injury being season ending, the possibility of adding Alberto Callaspo presents itself to Oakland. Callaspo, the Angels thrid baseman, hit .288/.366 in 2011 while compiling a 3.6 WAR and 7.8 UZR in 475 PA. He also reflects Timmons' plate discipline with a minute 9.0 K% in Anaheim last season, but he trumps Timmons as far as major league experience. Callaspo seems extremely inticing, however, Oakland and Anaheim aren't exactly the most willing teams to comply in late February. And Oakland would not give Anaheim a multitude of talent as Callaspo would be a one year fix. Callaspo might be a difficult reality for Oakland.
With numerous possibilities, the race to claim thrid base promises to be a spirited exhibition within the organization as the spring continues to unfold.
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