A's undertake massive rebuilding project

The Philadelphia Athletics have burned down the house, undergoing a massive roster rebuild in which they have dealt away nearly all of their talented veteran base in return for high-end prospects and draft picks.

After moving Mike Trout, Julio Urias, Aroldis Chapman, David Bednar, and Edwin Diaz during the 2022 season, another half-dozen Hot Stove trades in October continued that process. 

Sent to Las Vegas was catcher J.T. Realmuto. 

Off to Detroit went Bryce Harper, Clayton Kershaw, Freddie Freeman, Trea Turner, and Jorge Lopez. 

Portland received Jacob deGrom, Jean Segura, Cody Bellinger, Christian Yelich, and Gregory Soto. 

To Cleveland went Whit Merrifield and Clay Holmes. 

Alabama received Aaron Nola, Luis Severino, Tyler Glasnow, and prospects Ryne Nelson, Edwin Arroyo, and Deyvison De Los Santos.

In a deal with Horsham, a half-dozen prospects were sent to the division rivals.

Given their outright release were veteran pitchers Adam Wainwright and Zack Greinke.

And then, manager Chase Utley let the organization know that he would not be returning to fulfill the final season of his contract in 2023.

"We were sad to see Chase leave, but we understand his concerns after these big moves and our organizational change in direction," said GM Matt Veasey. "He guided the club to three pennants and the 2021 WFBL Championship as manager, and is a legendary member of our team Hall of Fame. Chase will always be a member of the Philadelphia baseball family and we wish him well."

A search for Utley's replacement immediately commenced, with Torey Lovullo, A.J. Hinch, Raul Ibanez, Chris Coste, and Mark DeRosa known to have been brought in for interviews. In the end it was DeRosa who got the job and a five-year contract. He will guide the club moving forward.

As the calendar flipped to 2023, the deals and moves kept coming. A big package was sent to Eugene in order to obtain top pitching prospect Grayson Rodriguez, and Robert Hassell went to Georgia for a future first rounder. Now it is rumored that Rodriguez himself will be moved as the season opens.

The Athletics organization has been infused with highly-rated young players and prospects, either directly or as a result of 2022 picks obtained in these deals: pitchers Matt Manning, Brayan Bello, Bryan Abreu, and Grayson Rodriguez. Infielders Curtis Mead, Marcelo Mayer, Zack Gelof, Colson Montgomery, and Termarr Johnson. Outfielders Riley Greene, Zack Veen, Druw Jones, Jackson Chourio, Sal Frelick. 

As further tools to help the rebuilding process, the A's now control 11 first Round picks over the next few years. The club also picked up a number of 2023 and 2024 Majors Draft picks with which to help add more immediate talent.

Veasey has been here before. "We underwent intentional rebuilding projects after the 2002 and 2010 seasons" said the GM. "This one is more like that 2002-03 rebuild. But it is even more comprehensive than that one. We're turning over all of our veteran star caliber players for very high-end prospect talent and high draft picks."

The A's rebounded quickly from that 2002 postseason rebuilding project to register the WFBL's only one-loss campaign in league history, going 17-1-4 in 2003. This time around it is likely to take a few years before the winning can be expected to materialize.

The 2011 season resulted in a 6-16 mark, the worst in franchise history. Unfortunately, in the short term, that may be what fans can expect. But players obtained in that rebuild, especially outfield cornerstones Bryce Harper and Mike Trout, helped the club become longer term contenders once again. That is the hope here.

"We're asking our fans to be patient again, and to trust our track record." That track record includes 22 of 25 winning seasons, 21 playoff appearances, 13 Owens/East pennants, and four WFBL championships.

Headed into the 2023 season the A's lineup hopes to feature youngsters Kelenic, Greene, Spencer Torkelson, Jeremy Pena, Alec Bohm, and Bryson Stott. The youthful pitching staff is planned to feature George Kirby, MacKenzie Gore, and Matt Manning with Nate Pearson playing a role as well.

"We'll fill in some holes and create as much depth as we can at the Majors Draft," said Veasey. "But make no mistake, we're going with as many of our youngsters as possible in 2023 and beyond. We're going to let the kids play, as much as health and their MLB roles allow."