It's a Make-or-Break Season For A's Mateo

Second baseman Jorge Mateo is in a heated competition for the Athletics' second base job, and he's out of options, so he's likely gone if he doesn't win a job

Is this the year that A’s fans get a look at Jorge Mateo?

That’s what spring training is all about. Mateo, a second baseman with exceptional speed, could run his way on to the roster or he could wind up being traded.

He’s out of minor league options and he’s part of the competition for the second base job. It’s a loaded field, with newcomer Tony Kemp, acquired from the Cubs, Rule 5 player Vimael Machin and longtime A’s middle infield prospect Franklin Barreto all in the competition.

Barreto, like Mateo, is out of options.

To complicate the situation, veteran utility player Chad Pinder could slip in to the lineup, although he hasn’t played much second base of late, just 21 of his 124 games last year were at second.

The A’s had considered getting Mateo to the big leagues at the end of last season if for no other reason than he might be able to steal a base in the postseason. He was injured, however, and so he’s still waiting for his Major League debut.

He doesn’t have much to prove at Triple-A. Last year at Las Vegas in 119 games, he put together a slash line of .289/.330/.504 to go with a good extra-base power – 29 doubles, 14 triples and 19 homers. He’s not a homer guy as such – Las Vegas is a launching pad – but the triples number is worth noting, because it’s indicative of just how fast he is.

He could wind up as the 26th man this year with Major League Baseball adding an extra player to rosters, almost all of who will certainly be position players; MLB teams are limited to 13 pitchers. He can play shortstop and center field in addition to second, and there is always a need for a player with those abilities on a roster.

But he’ll have to fight Barreto for the job, and Pinder can play all over the place, too.

That would mean Mateo might be traded toward the end of March rather than the A’s being willing to risk losing him on waivers.

The best way for Mateo to avoid that would be to play well this spring. He’s off to a good start after a nice game Monday. He had a single and a stolen base and covered a lot of ground to turn a tough ground ball into an out in the seventh inning.

“He’s done a nice job,” manager Bob Melvin said of Mateo after the game, a 14-4 loss to the Brewers. “Like I’ve said before, we’ve seen him play really well here at big-league camp. Last year he didn’t get a ton of at-bats, but he impressed.

“And playing a different position, he made a really nice play today, stole a base, got a hit. He’s off to a good start.”