A's 2022 MLB win total, odds: Tanking Oakland down to 68.5 victories after Sean Manaea trade; Frankie Montas expected next dealt
The Oakland A's are clearly not trying to win this season.
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When sportsbooks opened 2022 MLB win totals several weeks ago, the Oakland A's were set at Over/Under 79.5 at Caesars Sportsbook off an 86-76 record last year, missing the playoffs for the first time since 2017. That win total has dropped all the way to 68.5 at Caesars after the tanking team sold off another top piece over the weekend in starting pitcher Sean Manaea. Billy Beane probably isn't done yet, either, with Opening Day starting pitcher Frankie Montas probably the next to go.
"It's the biggest win total shift I can remember," said Eric Biggio, Head Baseball Trader at Caesars Sportsbook. "Just by the nature of this year with the potential lockout, we knew there'd be a free-agent and trading frenzy. Pretty early on, the A's flew up the flag saying they were selling their parts. That's the biggest shift I've seen, this quick at least. But the A's know what they're doing with these trades, they've gotten quality returns on these deals in the past. I still think there's the possibility they can be competitive, win around like 75 games or so. So I think this shift might be a bit of an overreaction."
The A's had the highest payroll in baseball in 1991. It was $33 million that year. After trading Manaea to the Padres, Matt Olson to the Braves, Matt Chapman to the Blue Jays and Chris Bassitt to the Mets along with not re-signing some free agents, the team's payroll is currently $32.5 million. Five players will have a base salary larger than the A's payroll this season: Max Scherzer of the Mets ($43.3M), Corey Seager of the Rangers ($37.5M), Anthony Rendon of the Angels ($37.5M), Gerrit Cole of the Yankees ($36M) and Carlos Correa of the Twins ($35.1M). A few more also will make more than the A's when including bonuses, etc.
Manaea and Bassitt combined for 23 wins last season and 31 quality starts. Olson led the team in batting average (.271), home runs (39), RBIs (111), hits (153) and on-base percentage (.371). Chapman had 27 homers and 72 RBIs.
Because the A's have one of the worst stadium situations in American pro sports, John J. Fisher, a multi-billionaire, is basically forcing the city of Oakland to either build him a stadium or he will not put together a competitive roster. The A's averaged fewer fans per game in 2021 than anyone other than the Marlins. Many believe the A's will be moving to Las Vegas in the next few years.
The Manaea trade one can understand because he was set to become a free agent next winter and out of Oakland's price range. Montas is under team control through the 2023 season so he should bring even more back in a trade. The 29-year-old right-hander was 13-9 with a 3.37 ERA and 207 strikeouts in a career-high 187.0 innings last year. He has been linked with numerous teams, including the White Sox, Yankees, Angels and Cardinals.
New manager Mark Kotsay named Montas the Opening Day starter on Sunday – Oakland opens in Philadelphia on Friday afternoon. It may be wise to be fading the A's often this year.
Via SportsLine oddsmakers: Will Frankie Montas be with the A's after the 2022 MLB Trade Deadline?
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