GLENDALE, Ariz. - With one week to go until the A's break camp and head north, there are still some roster issues to be cleared up.
The big-picture question regarding this team, obviously, is where it might be building a future ballpark.
With all this in mind, we try to provide some clarity on questions submitted via Twitter:
From @Cjkittrell: If the Raiders move to Vegas, does the Coliseum site jump to the top of the list of possible ballpark sites by default?
That's not necessarily the case. You have to remember what the A's crave more than anything in a ballpark location: A thriving surrounding area - with restaurants, bars, shops, etc. - that will make the ballpark an attraction beyond the baseball game itself. Team president Dave Kaval has talked of wanting a "ballpark village" around a new venue. A downside of the Coliseum is that there is nothing around the area right now that would attract fans besides the baseball. Other sites, including Howard Terminal, appear to have more potential as far as surrounding attractions.
This doesn't count out the Coliseum as an option. As Kaval has said, it's the only site of four being considered that the A's know is truly viable. There's comfort in that. And the BART station, freeway access and available parking are big plusses. But something else I'll mention in regard to the Raiders: Even if they announce a move to Las Vegas, they have lease agreements that would keep them playing football at the Coliseum at least through the 2018 season while their Vegas stadium is under construction. With the Raiders likely to be on the property for that period, it could complicate the A's own hypothetical construction plans for the Coliseum site.
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From @44BWells: With the emergence of Franklin Barrreto and the contract of Jed Lowrie, what's Joey Wendle's present and future?
They appear murky, don't they? First and foremost, Wendle has to recover from a sore right shoulder that's kept him out of exhibitions for a while. But the acquisition of utility man Adam Rosales meant Wendle probably wasn't going to make the club out of spring training anyway. He's got a fan in manager Bob Melvin, who was impressed with Wendle defensively last September. It was Wendle's glove that was the question mark when he arrived from the Cleveland Indians. Barreto has the star-caliber upside and the hype. Once the A's deem him ready, Lowrie becomes a trade possibility. But Wendle's advantage is that, to a degree, he's already proven himself in the majors. He's a known quantity at this level. If a second baseman is needed early in the season, Wendle could get a call-up before Barreto if Barreto gets off to a slow start.
As for Wendle's future beyond 2017, it would serve him well to be able to handle as many positions as possible. He realizes this. That's why he volunteered to play winter ball in Mexico this past offseason, where he played lots of shortstop. His role moving forward could be as more of a utility guy, because I see Barreto growing roots at second base.
@ONChristy: Do the A's have the pieces, both in the majors and minors, to make a run in 2018-2020?
Well, it's definitely tough to look down the road and forecast a three-year block. Here's a short answer for you: They better! All of the trades of the past couple seasons have been made with an eye toward stockpiling young talent - especially on the pitching side. Contending this year will be a tall order. But by the end of this season, I'd expect Barreto and third baseman Matt Chapman to have gotten their feet wet in the big leagues. There's a strong chance you'll also see young pitchers such as Frankie Montas and Daniel Gossett up. There's a large core of young players who are on the cusp of being major league ready.
Add to that some core veterans such as Khris Davis, Kendall Graveman Marcus Semien and (if he's not traded) Sonny Gray- who will all be under team control through 2019 at least - and the A's have a solid foundation for contending in that timeframe you mention. But let's face it, there's a lot that can and usually does happen over any three-year span that completely changes what we think we know going in.
