The A’s are used to significant roster turnover. It’s custom on a team trying to compete with a lower payroll, solid player development and a penchant for trading stars over extending them.
The front office has generally managed to field quality teams under those circumstances, but even successful execution of the A’s strategy has its drawbacks.
Team chemistry starts from darn close to scratch every spring.
The start of this year’s training camp, however, was not your typical meet and greet.
It was a reunion.
“This is one of the first years where you show up in the spring and you basically know everyone,” right-handed pitcher Chris Bassitt said.