Wouldn’t it be peachy-keen if the A’s could have their cake and eat it too? If they could get competitive in 2017 with a chance to be really good in 2018-2020, and not have to part with the players A’s fans keep trading in their simulations — exciting young talent like Franklin Barreto, Grant Holmes, and others who have been "traded" time and time again in order to bring the A’s an outfield?
Fact is, Oakland’s payroll situation is such that the A’s could elect to use free agency to complete a team good enough to compete in 2017 with a real eye on the years to follow.