The Oakland Athletics had a disappointing 2015 marred by injuries and a weak bullpen but management put in the work and made changes over the winter, trading with the Blue Jays in late November for the Australian Baseball Player of the Year, Liam Hendriks, in exchange for Jesse Chavez. In the off season, the Athletics took to the pen and inked Ryan Madison and John Axford with Sean Doolittle anchoring the bullpen.
Other trades included reacquiring Jed Lowrie and trading for Yonder Alonso. The health of Coco Crisp will also play a factor in the season. Last year, Crisp played in only 44 games and management are hoping to get more out of him this season, especially since they are paying him $11 million this season.