On the latest episode of Balk Talk, Jessica Kleinschmidt chats with Trevor Plouffe about how he found out he lost his spot on the A’s roster to his buddy Matt Chapman during the 2017 MLB season.
I don’t know about you, but I’m ready for spring training. It appears A’s starter Frankie Montas is as well.
He posted a few videos on his Instagram of him throwing bullpen sessions with people standing in as batters down in Phoenix, Ariz., and he looks healthy and ready to go.
Those who were standing in weren’t batting, just to clarify.
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Next season, the A’s look pretty great at the moment with their upcoming rotation.
A’s manager Bob Melvin during Winter Meetings said Jesús Luzardo is on track to be a top of the rotation guy.
Luzardo posted a 4.12 ERA in 2020 during his first season as a starter with 59 strikeouts in just as many innings.
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In addition to Montas and Luzardo, Sean Manaea will return in hopes of improving from his 2020 campaign while Chris Bassitt looks to have a similar season like he did in 2020.
In addition to a 2.29 ERA, he went from hoping to be in the starting rotation to being the A’s most dependable starter.
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A.J. Puk faced a few setbacks last season with injury, but he could be successful in either a starting or bullpen role. Both of which he’s capable of.
NBC Sports California’s own Dave Stewart believes this to be one of the best rotations in the game heading into next season.
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“I don’t think there’s a better rotation than this rotation with the young pitchers, the way that they progressed through the years now," Stewart told NBC Sports California in December. "They’re no longer rookies, they’re guys that have had experience -- both in the playoffs and in 162 game-schedule."
If Montas shows up to the 2021 season pitching as well as he is characterized to, the A’s have a very strong and underappreciated squad.