The team that opens the season for the Oakland Athletics will look a lot different than the one that finished the 2021 campaign.
First baseman Matt Olson was traded to the Atlanta Braves on Tuesday. On Wednesday, third baseman Matt Chapman was dealt to the Toronto Blue Jays.
Olson was an All-Star in 2021 and finished eighth in American League MVP voting. Chapman had something of a down year in 2021, but he was an All-Star in 2019, finished sixth in AL MVP voting that year, and seventh the year before. Both are exemplary defenders, with Chapman having three Gold Gloves and Olson having two. Both are young as well. Olson will turn 28 in March, while Chapman will turn 29 in April.
The Oakland departures were not limited to the two Matts, either. They were merely two of what can only be described as a mass exodus.
Oakland A's notable offseason departures:
▫️ Mark Canha
▫️ Starling Marte
▫️ Chris Bassitt
▫️ Matt Olson
▫️ Matt Chapman
▫️ Josh Harrison
▫️ Andrew Chafin— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) March 16, 2022
Even worse for the Oakland fans, the deals are likely not done.
Tigers and Twins are among many teams trying to land either of two available A’s star starters — Sean Manaea or Frankie Montas. A’s fire sale continues.
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) March 17, 2022
On one hand, this is something that the A’s and their fans are familiar with. If you read or saw Moneyball, you know that.
Still, this much talent leaving in one offseason is not something Oakland has seen since the mid-70s, when the team that won three World Series in a row from 1972-1974 was broken up.
The A’s and their fans took to Twitter with commentary on the departures that was equal parts funny and sad.
Oakland A’s running some sweet promotions this year ya’ll! “First Nine Fans: Start!”
— Chris ⚾🌳🐘 (@MrChris80) March 16, 2022
The Oakland A’s mascot is Stomper because every 5 years they trade all their best players rip the hearts outta their fans chests and stomp on them
— Blake Anderson (@UncleBlazer) March 16, 2022
For sure going to need a Program to learn all the Players on this year's Oakland A's #Athletics #RootedInOakland #RepTheTown #RiseAndGrind #RideTheWave
— Will MacNeil (@RFWill149) March 16, 2022
POV: you are an A's vendor in 2022 pic.twitter.com/B0YkwufvwA
— Hal the Hot Dog Guy (@AsHotDog) March 16, 2022
The Oakland A's had a .579 winning percentage over the past four seasons, and are now going in full fire sale mode because of cheap owners. Yikes.
— Mike Mayer (@mikemayer22) March 16, 2022
I just don’t understand how the Jays think they could take a former left side infielder for the Oakland A’s coming off a down year and turn them into something worth while. Anyways, here’s two unrelated photographs. pic.twitter.com/IoQPrgnj3l
— Doug Doucette (@DeuceDoucette) March 16, 2022
“Fine, you want a team? See how you like it without any players!”
— Tipping Pitches (@tipping_pitches) March 16, 2022
Average Oakland A's game in 2022 pic.twitter.com/n2eqXdaIag
— Gomer (@GomesDaLegend) March 16, 2022
The “A’s” in Oakland A’s stands for triple-A, double-A, high-A, & low-A
— Jim Passon (@PassonJim) March 16, 2022
The Oakland A's to all of MLB: "YOU GET AN A, YOU GET AN A, EVERYBODY GETS AN OAKLAND A!" pic.twitter.com/NyqcQFV24K
— Doug McKain (@DMAC_LA) March 16, 2022
If history has taught us anything, the A’s are good at rebuilds. Chances are, they’ll be competitive again within three or four years.
Still, 2022 might be a rough season for an Oakland fanbase that is nothing if not faithful.
