The Oakland A’s finished the 2014 season in disappointing fashion.  A team that maintained the best record in baseball for nearly half the season, finished with a record of 88-74, and made the postseason as the second Wild Card team.  Oakland went on to play  the Kansas City Royals in the one-game playoff matchup, to lose 9-8 in 12 innings.  The Wild Card game summed up the A’s season quite well; got off to a hot start, faltered some, showed life, then ended up losing the game and their season.  

General Manager Billy Beane has quite a few decisions to make this winter.  With several holes to fill, he will no doubt try to keep his top players to make a run for a fourth consecutive postseason appearance, while also bringing in some much needed reinforcements.  Here’s a look at five players the A’s should consider this offseason via both trade and free agency.  

1. Howie Kendrick, Second base, Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim (Trade)

One of Oakland’s biggest problems this season was the production from the middle infield, particularly second base.  Nick Punto and Eric Sogard platooned at second and contributed very little both offensively and defensively.  While Sogard made a few spectacular plays, he struggled at times as well.  Punto finished 2014 with a very low average of .207 with only two homeruns and 14 RBI.  Sogard wasn’t much better with a .223 average, one homerun, and 22 RBI.  

The Angels have said they are willing to deal Kendrick, and not only is he a great improvement at the plate and on the field, but also brings a veteran presence to any clubhouse.  The Halos are in need of pitching, and the A’s are in desperate need of a proven second baseman; seems like a perfect fit.   If the A’s want to continue to make a postseason run, they need better offensive production, Kendrick can provide that, as he hit .293 with seven homers and 75 RBI in 2014.

2. Troy Tulowitzki, Shortstop, Colorado Rockies (Trade)

While this may seem highly unrealistic, it is a move the A’s should consider.  Oakland is in need of a shortstop after declining to make a qualifying offer to now free agent Jed Lowrie.  Lowrie was a good acquisition by Beane in 2013, contributing both offensively and defensively, and when he went down with a broken finger toward the end of last season, it was a blow to their offense.  

Tulo had a great season hitting .340 with 21 homeruns and 52 RBI.  Unfortunately, he only played in 91 games due to injury and had to have hip surgery, which ended his season early.  

Not only would Tulo solve the middle infield void, but also a void in the lineup.  This A’s club really struggled after Beane dealt Yoenis Cespedes to the Red Sox, and if the A’s were able to bring in Tulowitzki, they’d be essentially killing two birds with one stone.  

Right now, the A’s don’t have a viable shortstop, but luckily for them they have a few options whether it be via trade or free agency, there are shortstops on the market.  

3. Stephen Drew, Shortstop, Free Agent

The A’s and Drew already have a bit of a history, and the green and gold are reportedly showing interest in the free agent shortstop already this offseason.  Drew was a part of the 2012 A’s team where they pretty much came out of nowhere to win the AL West; Drew was acquired midseason via trade with the Diamondbacks.  

Drew had the worst season of his career last year with the Red Sox and Yankees.  The offensive production just wasn’t there as he hit only .162 with seven homeruns and 26 RBI.  

While his numbers aren’t flashy, he did well in an A’s uni just two seasons ago, and he is a great rebound candidate for 2015.  He also had a great 2013 season in Boston where he helped them win a World Series Championship.  Drew would be a cheap option on the free agent market and is a viable option for the A’s at short.

4. Asdrubal Cabrera, Second Base/Shortstop, Free Agent

Cabrera was traded by the Cleveland Indians to the Washington Nationals midseason last year and finished with a .241 average, 14 homeruns, and 61 RBI.  He is also durable in the middle infield as he can play either short or second, and the A’s need to fill both of those positions.  

The A’s have reportedly already shown interest in Cabrera and, like Drew, he would be a cheaper option on the free agent market and would allow the A’s to keep some key players rather than trade them to fill this void.  

5. Starlin Castro, Shortstop, Chicago Cubs (Trade)

Castro is an interesting trade option for the A’s because he is young, only 24, and put up some good numbers last season for Chicago.  In 134 games he hit .294 with 14 homeruns and 65 RBI.  

Beane has made a few deals with the Cubs over the last few years, most recently when he traded for Jeff Samardzija and Jason Hammel back in June.  Oakland is in need of a shortstop, and while Lowrie may still be an option via free agency, he wants to test the market and will draw some interest from clubs.  Castro presents a great option for the A’s, and is a player who could impact the the green and gold for a few years.  

The A’s front office has a lot to consider this offseason.  Last year was said to be their best shot at bringing another Championship to Oakland, but it just didn’t work out.  The middle infield has to be the top priority for Beane this winter, but offensive production without Cespedes is also a big concern.  Bringing in a guy, like, let’s say Kendrick, would benefit the offense, but the long ball threat is still missing; especially considering how Josh Donaldson and Brandon Moss struggled the second half of the year.  

Overall, this is set to be an interesting winter for Billy Beane and staff.  They will look to bring in players to fill certain voids, but at the same time can’t give up too much for the sake of not only this season, but the club’s future.