Oakland A’s getting more than just power bat from former All-Star Aguilar

MESA, Ariz. — The Oakland A’s signed veteran first baseman Jesús Aguilar to a $3 million, one-year contract this winter looking to add power to a lineup that severely lacked it in 2022.

The 32-year-old former All-Star has certainly proven he is capable of that to this point in his nine-year major-league career, but he offers the A’s much more than just power at the plate. A bright personality, a palpable sense of humor, and, perhaps most importantly, an undeniable ability to lead made Aguilar such an integral part of the five teams he was a part of since 2014.

Now, the A’s get to experience all of his shining qualities.

“He holds court in the morning on the couch, that’s for sure,” A’s manager Mark Kotsay quipped about Aguilar Tuesday. “I think he’s taken on that role really nicely. We do have a few younger Latin players, which is nice to have someone who is a veteran presence in there that has been in the states and been in the big leagues and can translate, can communicate, can empathize with these guys and what they go through. He’s a big impact for them.”

Among position players, Aguilar is the third-oldest member on the team behind Jace Peterson and Manny Piña, both of whom were acquired over the offseason.

But no player that the A’s added over the winter has the ability to be more impactful than Aguilar, who was a key piece with the Marlins over the last two and a half seasons. He hit .265 across 726 plate appearances in Miami between 2020 and 2021 before he was designated for assignment after struggling to produce through 113 games last season.

Aguilar maintains an optimistic attitude this spring with the A’s, drawing comparisons between his experience with the Marlins to what he’s observed in nearly a month since joining his new club.

“I like the challenge, I’ve been in this situation before in Miami,” Aguilar said. “I got there and where they were was almost in the same position.”

He hasn’t hesitated in making his presence felt among younger players.

Working closely with Rule 5 Draft selection Ryan Noda at first base, Aguilar said he’s been helping him and a number of others who have yet to make their major-league debuts stay grounded during camp, urging them to play free and loose.

“Enjoy the game, respect the game, but have fun, too,” Aguilar said. “I don’t know how many young guys are going to be on the team, but hopefully they can do those three things, and hopefully they can play the game the right way.”

JJ Bleday, a former teammate of Aguilar’s in Miami, attested to the mentorship Aguilar brings to the A’s, lauding his leadership skills as well.

“He’s a great guy to have in a clubhouse,” said Bleday. “Positive, funny and he’s a gamer. He’s going to go out and get serious when he needs to.”

Aguilar’s transition to the A’s is an opportunity he hopes he can capitalize on after making subtle adjustments in his swing, altering the placement of his hands in his stance so that his path to the ball is quicker and more efficient.

The slugger has socked 105 doubles and 109 home runs to this point, a career-best 35 homers coming during his lone All-Star season with the Brewers in 2018, when he placed 16th in National League MVP voting. His play in Miami saw him perform up to a similar level for the first two seasons, but he was unable to maintain such prowess last season when he posted a lowly .661 OPS, the worst of his career.

“Last year was a tough year for me,” Aguilar said. “I lost confidence a little bit last year, that’s the most important thing for me. I got my confidence back and now I can do the things and I’m going to compete, that’s the most important thing. If I stay healthy, I think I can do good things.”

Torn nail could sideline Blackburn

Kotsay said a torn fingernail might delay potential Opening Day starter Paul Blackburn’s start to the season.

The right-hander has a right middle fingernail avulsion (torn nail) — the same finger that he tore his flexor tendon sheath in last August — that Kotsay said stems from his first Cactus League appearance in Las Vegas against the Reds earlier this month. Blackburn will play light catch, but Kotsay noted that the injury will “push him back” in his recovery.

“It started in Vegas, we felt it would be OK, he had a fake nail,” Kotsay said. “Next start out with the fake nail, he didn’t feel any pain, but upon taking the nail off, the original nail had torn back off even further.”

— Piña, a veteran catcher who hasn’t played in a game since Feb. 25 due to calf soreness, is having his left wrist evaluated after “feeling something” during at-bats in minor league camp on Monday. It’s the same wrist that he had to receive season-ending surgery on last year with the Braves. Piña was expected to return to game action this week, but his status for Opening Day appears to be in doubt also.

Shea Langeiliers is the only other catcher currently on the A’s 40-man roster, which means Yohel Pozo or Kyle McCann could be in line to inherit Piña’s role to begin the campaign. But Kotsay doesn’t seem to be ruling out Tyler Soderstrom, Oakland’s No. 1 overall prospect, to fill that spot either.

“I think that Tyler could handle himself,” Kotsay said. “I also think from a polished, development side for Tyler I think it would be a bit rushed, but not to exclude him in the process for sure.”

— Freddy Tarnok, a 24-year-old rotation candidate who was acquired in the Sean Murphy trade from the Braves, is being evaluated due to right-arm discomfort. Kostsay said that Tarnok has been experiencing “tingling” in his right thumb, which is why he hasn’t pitched in a game since Mar. 8.

Tarnok is undergoing diagnostic tests and will be held out of throwing for now.