Oakland A’s report for spring training as Kemp’s veteran absence looms

MESA, Ariz. – On Monday, players from within the Oakland Athletics organization hit in the batting cages, stretched together and went through fielding drills — all signaling the first day of full-team spring training.

All 68 players invited to camp showed up ready to prove themselves. Despite a disappointing 2023 season, which saw the team finish in fifth place in the AL West with a 50-122 record, morale was high at camp on Monday.

“It’s a new year, a fresh start,” said manager Mark Kotsay. “Preparation for the season starts today.”

The core of the team features a group of players that was mainly assembled last spring and Kotsay mentioned that having a little less competition for spots, with more players coming in with big-league experience, is likely to differentiate this spring from last.

The major leaguers will have more of a chance to focus on coming together and progressing toward Opening Day, March 28.

New additions to the team include Miguel Andujar and Abraham Toro, who should provide some depth and experience in the infield. Yet, when looking around the locker room someone was noticeably missing.

That someone is Tony Kemp.

Kemp, a strong veteran voice in the clubhouse, spent the last four seasons with the A’s and is now a free agent, still looking to land a deal. Other longtime A’s players like Seth Brown and Paul Blackburn are most likely to step up and fill in the leadership gap left by Kemp.

“I think everyone here misses TK,” catcher Shea Langeliers said. “He was just one of those guys that was there for you whether it was baseball or just life in general.”

Langeliers did say Brown also filled a similar role last year and that he is comfortable going to Brown for advice. Kotsay agreed, saying Brown and Blackburn are crucial pieces when it comes to understanding where the team comes from, and lifting locker-room morale when the going gets tough.

Certainly, difficult stretches are likely to hit amid the A’s teardown as they are projected by Baseball Prospectus’ PECOTA engine to improve to 64-98 this season.

Another slightly under-the-radar player who could become a locker-room leader is 2023 All-Star Brent Rooker. Kotsay said he has used Rooker as an exemplary player in the team’s meetings and has stressed to younger players that they too could have the chance to break out and get time with the major league club.

Two new faces on the pitching staff have already been cited as potential veteran voices on the team: former Giants Alex Wood and Ross Stripling. Wood signed a one-year, $8.5 million deal while Stripling arrived via trade for minor-league outfielder Jonah Cox.