Marcus Semien leaves Oakland for Toronto — what’s next for the A’s at shortstop?
The free agent mass exodus out of Oakland continues. And this one could hurt a bit.
Marcus Semien, the Bay Area native who transformed into an MVPcaliber shortstop, agreed Tuesday to a one-year, $18 million deal with the Toronto Blue Jays, as first reported by ESPN.
Semien, 30, said after last season that he hoped to return to his hometown team, and the A’s appeared to be working to get Semien back to Oakland, at least on a short-term deal. But $18 million would top their most expensive contract by more than $1 million (Khris Davis will earn $16.5 million next year). The A’s did not extend Semien a qualifying offer in November, which was worth $18.9 million.
The Blue Jays are in spend mode, having recently signed outfielder George Springer to a six-year, $150 million deal earlier this month. With Jays phenom Bo Bichette handling shortstop duties, Semien is expected to play mostly second base with the Jays, too.
Along with Liam Hendriks, Robbie Grossman and Mike Minor, Semien is now the fourth free agent to leave Oakland this offseason; the A’s had 10 to start.
Who might replace Semien? If they don’t chase a new face in free agency, the A’s have some options and depth in the middle infield. Chad Pinder could be an immediate option to slide into a regular shortstop role. Nick Allen, a non-roster invite to spring training, is still a year or so away from a big leagues. But the A’s No. 4 prospect is known for his flashy glove at short and is projected to be one of the top defensive shortstops in baseball.
The A’s are used to this whiplash of watching beloved players leave and having to turn their attention to the next in line. Semien came to Oakland in 2014 along with Chris Bassitt and Josh Phegley in a trade that sent Jeff Samardzija to the Chicago White Sox. First known for his defensive struggles, the A’s — with a lot of help from then-infield coach Ron Washington — helped him become a solid shortstop who earned a Gold Glove nomination in 2019.
Semien’s work in Oakland peaked that 2019 season, when he batted a career-high .285 with a .892 OPS and registered a 8.9 WAR, the third best in the majors behind the Dodgers’ Cody Bellinger and the Astros’ Alex Bregman. It earned Semien a thirdplace finish in that year’s MVP voting.
Having been the longest-tenured Athletic in the clubhouse, Semien was a team leader and MLB Player’s Union representative for the A’s. Not only will the A’s miss his production on field, but his leadership off of it.