The Oakland Athletics are always making moves even when they are on top because General Manager Billy Beane will never be satisfied until he wins the final game of the season.  So it is willing to reason that after a second straight year of losing game five of the ALDS that Beane will be ready to make some moves in the offseason.  The following are five moves that Beane could be inclined to make to try and take this team to the next level in 2014.

Michael Morse

In the 2013 season opening series Morse absolutely murdered the ball in the O.co Coliseum.  In the four game series Morse hit three balls over the fence of the stadium that has long been looked down on as a tough place to hit the long ball.  For the Athletics finding someone who can hit the ball in the stadium is only the first challenge, though, being able to afford them is another one.  The good news for the A’s is that Morse struggled with injury for most of the 2013 season and could come at a lower cost because of it.  Add in the fact that he probably will not be able to play in the outfield much longer in his career brings down his value even further which could benefit the A’s greatly as they would use him as a primary designated hitter.

Peter Moylan

Moylan is just the kind of reliever that the A’s like, an Australian one.  Other than the fact that he’s an Aussie and will fill that spot when Grant Balfour likely leaves via free agency he’s a veteran that will come cheap thanks to struggles after having two great seasons with the Braves in ‘09 and ‘10.  Moylan could come in and fill the role that Dan Otero held this season as the first righty out of the bullpen now that Otero will likely move into the right handed setup role if Ryan Cook is moved into the closer spot.

Michael Gonzalez

Gonzalez would be a smart move for the A’s if instead of Cook left hander Sean Doolittle moves into the closer role.  He would also come cheap after a tough season in the Milwaukee Brewers like Moylan, but Gonzalez is a workhorse for a lefty.  Since 2010 he has worked a minimum of 47 innings while pitching 75 innings in 2013.  If Doo moves into the closer role that would move Jerry Blevins into the left handed setup role that was held by Doo and allow Gonzalez to take over as the lefty specialist.

Luke Gregerson

He might not be made available until the trade deadline but Gregerson would be a fantastic fit in the Athletics bullpen.  No matter who takes over the closers role another solid arm would be needed in the pen and that is exactly what Gregerson needs.  He has pitched over 60 innings in his five year career and has a career ERA of 2.88.  Anyone could use a player like that in the pen, and if the A’s do indeed lose Balfour to free agency and all of the guys in the pen have to be shifted around he would be a perfect fit.  What works the most in the A’s favor is that Beane has history in making deals with the Padres, and of course, has plenty of pieces in AAA to make a trade worthwhile for the Pads.

Michael Cuddyer

Cuddyer may be highly unlikely to move, but if the Rockies make him available he is someone the A’s need to go after.  Cuddyer has everything the A’s need out of a position player, he plays multiple positions, has decent power and hits for average.  Much like with the Padres, Beane has a history of trading with the Rockies and could make the deal work, but he may have to give up more than he wants for a player the caliber of Cuddy.  If the A’s can land him then they could slot him in at the DH or platoon him in both right field with Josh Reddick or at first with Brandon Moss.

With Beane only one thing is for certain, he will make a move.  While it is easy to see what holes the A’s may need to fill it is always hard to tell what Beane will actually do.