The American League West champion Athletics’ postseason got off to a less-than-ideal start Tuesday with a loss to the Lucas Giolito-led White Sox, who held the A’s to just three hits in a 4-1 defeat. One of those hits came from infielder Tommy La Stella, whom the A’s could see depart in free agency once their season ends, though they’re interested in re-signing him.
Oakland executive vice president Billy Beane lavished praise on La Stella this week, saying (via Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle), “I’ve known about La Stella going back to the Braves (2014), but you don’t realize how good this guy is until you see him on an everyday basis, he just puts a good at-bat on you every single time.”
As far as possibly retaining La Stella goes, Beane stated: “I would normally say, ‘We’ll deal with it at the end of the season.’ But based on what I just said about him — well, you’d be crazy not to put him at the top of your list. I normally kind of hedge on everything because you never know, but goodness, he’s been so impressive it would behoove us to put him at the top of the list, at least have a discussion with him.”
The Athletics paid a fairly high price for La Stella when they acquired him from the division-rival Angels before the July 31 deadline, as they gave up former top infield prospect Franklin Barreto in a one-for-one deal. Barreto never got much of a chance to establish himself in Oakland, whereas La Stella broke out as an Angel a year ago and has kept that momentum going between the Halos and A’s this season. The soon-to-be 32-year-old has slashed .289/.353/.483 with 20 home runs over 438 plate appearances dating back to 2019.
Along with providing well-above-average offensive production since last year, La Stella has logged a significant amount of innings at second and third, which should up his earning power if he reaches free agency. If La Stella stays with the A’s, he probably won’t get much playing time going forward at the hot corner, where Matt Chapman should return from hip surgery in 2021. On the other hand, there’s far less certainty for Oakland at the keystone. La Stella has been the team’s top producer there, outdoing Tony Kemp and Chad Pinder.
I’ve turned into a big La Stella fan so I’m glad they’re interested in keeping him. He’s the scrappy guy they need.
Tommy was great for the Cubs in all situations but glad he played for maddon as a Cub and a Angel both was big part of Cubs winning
Great fit. Hopefully an Athletic for life from here on out
That cool new black man phrase I taught you
Dinkin’ Flicka
He’s 31 years old. He has maybe 2 good seasons left.
Fairly high price? I haven’t seen that referenced on this app previously
who wouldn’t want a guy that hits .300, average D, and can play a couple positions . 30 teams should get this guy, no matter what he gets paid, I’m sure it wont be enough. I’d go 2/$18mil
Nooo! We want him back!
I don’t know that calling Barreto a fairly high price is close to accurate. He hasn’t shown anything in the majors and looks like a Quad-A guy.
Feel bad for tony kemp, he was playing fairly well and then got benched. Beane should be saying semien is a priority because his durability, hard work, although he had a rough season. Maybe beane is expecting him to be way too expensive. Also this probably doesn’t help prospect Sheldon neuse chance for opportunity. If la Stella comes back.
The problem with Semien is that he looks exactly the same offensively as he did every single season of his career aside from 2019. It’ll be interesting to see what kind of contract he gets.
I’d think he tops out in the 50-55 million dollar range. Seeing that he is 30 and he only has 1 breakout season (which looks like a clear outlier) on his resume. If the A’s offer the QO I think he may really think about it.
Tony has been given enough opportunities He’s been around the block and he doesn’t produce he’ll go to the tigers next season
How exactly has Kemp not produced? His batting average was inline with just about everybody else’s average on the team.
The A’s are the only team that consistently under performs in the playoffs. It’s hard to watch year after year
Amen. Why tf would La Stella want to stay? To get a budget contract and watch his team crap the bed every late Sep/early Oct?
Have you seen the Twins?
Anybody know why Franklin Barreto can’t produce in the Majors?
Because it’s really hard, Brad
Because Major league pitchers exploit holes in players swings about 150x better than minor leaguers.
He has no concept of the strike zone and no plate discipline. He’s also unable to consistently play average defense at any position.
This guy can play. He would be a good signing for whichever team can land him. Very versatile, hard worker, good teammate. Sad it appears that my Halos have moved on from him, but I hope he does well with whichever team lands him.
Barreto was very unimpressive in his brief time in the Halos lineup before he got sent to IL. Doubtful he should be classified as “a fairly high price”. A’s are pretty smart at knowing when a guy isn’t going to produce. And they appear to have let him go for a reason. Eppler should have demanded a pitcher for him.
Funny, took the A’s four years to figure it out.
La Stella looks good in the batter’s box but not quite as nice in the field. Solid player, always gives effort. He’s facing a pretty crowded second base market so an extension might be good for both sides here.
No brainer for mine: keep La Stella!!! One of the few A’s that doesn’t look like a deer caught in the headlights in pressure situations. Rarely K’s…..love watching his AB’s…..and even batting over 250 (unlike every other Oakland starter). As for Marcus Semien…….meh. Great 2019 and happy to see him in green & gold next season, but not gonna cry if he moves on…..