Oakland A’s roster breakdown: Only 2 homegrown talents with plenty of mystery on MLB’s lowest payroll

OAKLAND — The Athletics will enter another season with an identity crisis and heavy roster turnover that has included a handful of veterans to go with young players acquired in previous trades for some of their best players.

After a 60-102 season in 2022, A’s manager Mark Kotsay talked about an identity without being entirely sure what it will be.

The A’s should have more power but won’t rely on the home run. They’ll be faster and won’t rely solely on the stolen base, although Kotsay did say Esteury Ruiz, acquired from Milwaukee, could have the biggest stolen base impact since Rickey Henderson.

No pressure there.

The A’s will again mix and match at the corners a year removed from dealing away first baseman Matt Olson and third baseman Matt Chapman. They’ll mix and match at closer at the outset with Trevor May, Jeurys Familia and Dany Jimenez.

The starting staff will include a rookie Opening Night starter in Kyle Muller and a Japanese import in Shintaro Fujinami.

There are only two players on the roster who were drafted and developed by the organization — outfielder Seth Brown and shortstop Nick Allen.

Which means the A’s had better be pretty good at hunting bargains from other organizations to succeed with MLB’s lowest payroll at $43.145 million, according to Spotrac.com.

Here’s a look at how the A’s will open the season, although official rosters aren’t due to the league until Thursday morning:

PROJECTED ROSTER

PITCHERS

Domingo AcevedoHow acquired: Signed to minor league contract in 2020.What to expect: Sturdy right-hander led A’s with 70 appearances. Held opponents scoreless in seven of eight appearances in Cactus League. He’ll get lots of work.

Jeurys FamiliaHow acquired: Signed as free agent Saturday.What to expect: Lost a few ticks of his fastball but manager Mark Kotsay insists his sinker can still get plenty of ground balls. Will get some closing opportunities.

Shintaro FujinamiHow acquired: Signed as free agent in January.What to expect: Will begin as a Saturday starter. A 29-year-old rookie who played for Hanshin Tigers (2013-2022), strikeouts (20) and walks (17) have come in bunches during in 18 2/3 spring training innings.

Zach JacksonHow acquired: Selected in Triple-A phase of Rule 5 draft in 2020.What to expect: Six runs allowed in his last three spring training games. Was 2-3 with 3.00 ERA as non-roster invitee in 54 appearances last season.

Dany JimenezHow acquired: Signed to minor league contract in 2021.What to expect: Had 11 saves in 34 appearances with two stings on the injured list as a 28-year-old rookie. Down-breaking slider is a solid out pitch.

James KaprielianHow acquired: Arrived in 2017 in trade with Yankees involving Sonny Gray.What to expect: Had solid spring with 2-1 record, 2.81 ERA with nine walks and 15 strikeouts in 16 innings. Health and endurance concerns.

Trevor MayHow acquired: Signed as free agent in 2022.What to expect: Has experience as a closer and set-up man with Mets and Twins. Shut down after 26 appearances with arm trouble last year after 68 games with a 7-3 record in 2021.

Sam MollHow acquired: Arrived from Arizona in July 2021 in exchange for cash.What to expect: Uneven spring training (10 hits, five earned runs, five walks in 10 innings), but demoting Moll would likely leave A’s without a left-hander in the bullpen. Was 5-3, 2.91 ERA in 58 games last season with two stints on the disabled list.

Kyle MullerHow acquired: Arrived this offseason in three-way trade with Braves and Brewers involving Sean Murphy.What to expect: A 6-foot-7, 250-pound left-hander with a competitive streak who earned Opening Night assignment vs. Shohei Ohtani.

Adam OllerHow acquired: Arrived in 2022 in trade with Mets involving Chris Bassitt.What to expect: Last two spring starts have been shaky after a solid start. Had rough go of it with the big club last year in two stints, going 2-8 with 6.30 ERA in 19 games. May or may not be in starting rotation.

J.P. SearsHow acquired: Arrived in 2022 in trade with Yankees involving Frankie Montas and Lou Trivino.What to expect: Was 3-3 in 10 games and nine starts with the A’s after going 3-0 with the Yankees. Has been told he made club without specific role assigned.

Drew Steckenrider — How acquired: Signed as free agent in 2022. What to expect: Pitched in team-high 11 games during spring training. Has 11 strikeouts in 11 2/3 innings. Was 5-2 with 14 saves for Seattle in 2022.

Ken WaldichukHow acquired: Arrived in 2022 in trade with Yankees involving Frankie Montas and Lou Trivino.What to expect: Will open as a lefty in starting rotation but had it won’t be for long if spring control issues continue (12 walks in 13 1/3 innings with an 0-4 record and 10.54 ERA).

CATCHERS

Carlos PerezHow acquired: Signed as free agent in 2023.What to expect: Veteran backup (age 32) for Langeliers with some pop. Homered vs. Giants and had back-to-back 31-homer seasons in Triple-A with Las Vegas and Albuquerque.

Shea LangeliersHow acquired: Arrived in 2022 in trade with Braves involving Matt Olson.What to expect: With Christian Pache traded to Philadelphia, the Olson trade will be judged on how Langeliers fares.

INFIELD

Jesús AguilarHow acquired: Signed as free agent in 2023.What to expect: An All-Star with Milwaukee in 2018 when the 6-3, 277-pound first baseman hit 35 home runs and drove in 108. Had 16 homers, 51 RBIs last season for Miami and Baltimore.

Nick AllenHow acquired: Third-round draft pick in 2017.What to expect: Hit a modest .257 with no homers and two RBIs in 16 Cactus League games. Will open season as starting shortstop vs. left-handed pitching and defensive replacement.

Aledmys DíazHow acquired: Signed as free agent in 2022.What to expect: Will play shortstop vs. right-handed pitching, can also play third and second. Hit .255 with 32 homers, 129 RBIs for Astros over the 262 games over the last four seasons.

Tony KempHow acquired: Arrived in 2020 in trade with Chicago Cubs for Alfonso Rivas.What to expect: Primarily a second baseman, Kemp’s strong play after All-Star break (.278, with 13 doubles, five home runs, 32 RBIs in 62 games) paved way to return.

Ryan NodaHow acquired: Selected in Rule 5 draft.What to expect: Hit .208 with 26 strikeouts in 69 spring plate appearances but has a history of occasional power and getting on base. Will figure at first base and as a corner outfielder.

Jace PetersonHow acquired: Signed as free agent this offseason.What to expect: Third baseman who pushed spring average to .289 with late hot streak and also walked 10 times. Hit .236 with eight homers and 32 RBIs for Brewers. Has 62 career steals and could be a threat with bigger bases, new rules.

OUTFIELDERS

Seth BrownHow acquired: 19th-round draft pick in 2015.What to expect: Had 25 homers and 73 RBIs and hit .230 after a slow start. A .172 career hitter against left-handed pitching, although part of that is lack of opportunities.

Conner CapelHow acquired: Claimed off waivers from St. Louis in 2022.What to expect: Has limited MLB experience (22 games) with a .308 batting average and three home runs with some stolen base speed. Can play all three outfield spots. Hitting .250 this spring.

Ramón LaureanoHow acquired: Arrived in 2017 in trade with Houston for Brandon Bailey.What to expect: It was a lost season for Laureano with two stints on the injured list and one on the suspended list. Still looking to recapture 2019 form (.288, 24 homers, 67 RBIs) in 123 games.

Brett RookerHow acquired: Claimed off waivers from Kansas City in 2022.What to expect: Former first-round draft pick out of Mississippi State in 2016 has yet to stick at major league level with Minnesota, San Diego or Kansas City.

Esteury RuizHow acquired: Arrived as part of this winter’s three-team deal with Atlanta and Milwaukee that sent Sean Murphy to Atlanta.What to expect: Converted second baseman can cover ground in center field has 243 stolen bases and a .285 batting average in six minor league seasons.

INJURED LIST

Paul BlackburnHow acquired: Arrived by trade in 2016 in exchange for outfielder Danny Valencia.What to expect: All-Star game representative from Heritage High recovering from fingernail avulsion in camp and flexor tendon sheath on pitching hand last season.

Drew RucinskiHow acquired: Signed as free agent this offseason.What to expect: Slow-healing hamstring issue will delay 34-year-old’s opportunity after playing four seasons in Korea.