How To Spend $68M Out Of The Blue

The Hot Stove is all about rumors, a solid 10% of which come to fruition. One such rumbling has the A’s committed to ramping up payroll to $100M, which happens to be $68M more than where it currently stands.

First of all, who knows if it’s true that the A’s intend to triple their payroll over the next 3 months, and who knows how easily they will even be able to what with desirable free agents looking at Sacramento’s AAA stadium and stifling a laugh.

But there are many ways to spend money in MLB, including taking on bad contracts, dipping into international waters, even offering extensions for the best young players you already have.

Here are a few ideas as to how the A’s, if so inclined, might make the proverbial splash if they have a big wad of cash to throw around...

Roki Sasaki

The 23 year old Japanese pitcher is set to be posted on January 15th and his stuff has been likened, by scouts, to “a healthy Jacob DeGrom”. The Dodgers have been mentioned as heavy favorites to sign Sasaki, but his agent has strongly denied any impending deal is in place.

What’s interesting is to note who Sasaki’s agent is. It’s Joel Wolfe, a former A’s prospect from the early 1990s whose ties to Oakland include his representation of Marcus Semien. If the A’s wanted to outbid the competition (believed to include the Dodgers and Padres), they could and they would instantly have a SP with a chance to sit atop their rotation a la Yoshinobu Yamamoto.

Jordan Montgomery

Montgomery has already been much discussed as a potential bad contract to absorb in the quest for a #2 SP, but I bring him up again here just to note that his agent happens to be...none other than... Joel Wolfe.

Montgomery’s 2024 season was ruined before it began as he followed Scott Boras’ advice and tried to “wait out the market” in search of a big deal that never came.

Montgomery wound up signing with the Arizona Diamondbacks on March 26th, posting an unsightly 6.23 ERA for the season — but not before firing Boras and switching over to Wolfe’s group.

A 10.3 WAR SP from 2021-2023, Montgomery is owed $22.5M in 2025 and as a result probably comes with a good prospect if you are prepared to rid the Diamondbacks of his salary. Arizona’s owner, Ken Kendrick, probably would not have publicly dissed Montgomery if the D-backs were planning to keep him.

Luis Robert

Robert is a gamble on two fronts: he is coming off his worst season by far in 2024 and he has had difficulty staying on the field over his career.

That being said, if you’re in position to take the risk of his contract Robert, 27, has the ability to check a lot of boxes for the A’s as he’s a talented CFer in his prime years.

Over his career Roberts rates as slightly above average as a CFer with +15 DRS thanks to positive marks in 4 of his 5 seasons. As a hitter Robert is a career .267./316/.474 (116 wRC+) and adds speed to his game with 69 career SB in 85 attempts.

Robert’s contract might actually be an ideal fit for the A’s current situation, as they have Denzel Clarke on the way but it’s not yet clear when Clarke will emerge or whether he will be successful — though hopes are high.

Robert is owed $15M in 2025 with $20M club options for 2026 and 2027 ($2M buyout). So the A’s would have the chance to put Robert in CF only for 2025 (a $17M commitment) or if Robert thrives and Clarke busts they could keep Robert around on a salary that is on the higher side but is not absurd.

Conclusion

Honestly, if the A’s were to nab all three of these players, I think you could go financially cheaper on a 3B solution, e.g., sign Josh Rojas or maybe trade for Luis Rengifo while awaiting the possible emergence of Max Muncy, and you would enter 2025 with a pretty darn competitive roster.

And the farm system would be virtually unchanged as you might gain a good prospect to add Montgomery’s salary and lose one to acquire your 3Bman.

Of course there are myriad ways to spend upwards of $68M in one off-season if the A’s really are willing to “ramp up payroll” in manner rumored. Do you like this plan or is there another you favor? I hear Aledmys Diaz is looking for work.