{"numbering":"no_numbering","slides":[{"index":"","title":"Pinch me","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/archive/assets_media_gallery/bayarea/2020/10/30/colome_alex_usati_0_0.jpg","caption":"

MLB free agency will look completely different this year -- more than it ever has. Following a compressed 60-game season while being in the midst of a world pandemic will create a different approach to how teams will acquire players, starting with the monetary aspect.

Many teams are said to be tightening the budget, but the big names will get paid. For the A’s, that means the same thing as it typically does season after season, but there are names that the team could at least try for -- or wish for.

Here are five players in free agency the A’s could dream about placing on the roster.

"},{"index":"1","title":"RHP, Alex Colomé","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/archive/assets_media_gallery/bayarea/2020/10/30/colome_a_USATSI_15007138_0.jpg","caption":"

The A’s have a reputation to uphold with a strong bullpen. As Liam Hendriks heads to free agency, they would have to fill that void to maintain that league-best 2.72 bullpen ERA they had in 2020.

Colomé boasted a 0.81 ERA in 2020 with the Chicago White Sox. Yep, you read that correctly. He struck out 16 in 22 ⅓ innings while relying on his cutter a majority (71.6 percent) of the time. Hitters also didn’t hit hard off of Colomé limiting them to a .301 XSLUG.

"},{"index":2,"title":"SS, Marcus Semien","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/archive/assets_media_gallery/bayarea/2020/10/30/App-201015-marcus-semien.jpg","caption":"

The name sounds familiar, right A’s fans?

Marcus Semien heads into free agency after six seasons with Oakland. He led the league in 2019 with 747 plate appearances, starting in all 162 games -- a personal career goal of his.

His numbers dipped in 2020 hitting .223/.305/.374 with seven home runs and 23 RBI, but that could work in the A’s favor if they want to bring him back. Which, the team openly has said is a goal of theirs. General manager David Forst said he had been in contact with Semien after the A’s were eliminated from playoffs and made it clear they want him to return.

Imagining him in anything but green and gold would be weird, but he’s proven to be an asset to a team and the market will be interesting this offseason.

"},{"index":3,"title":"RHP, Trevor Bauer","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/archive/assets_media_gallery/bayarea/2020/10/30/bauer_t_USATSI_14931885.jpg","caption":"

LOL. Keep dreaming.

Look, I wish this would happen. Based on the organization alone, Trevor Bauer would be a great addition to the team with how fun the A’s can be, but don’t get your hopes up.

The A’s historically aren’t known to spend a lot of money on a player, let alone a starting pitcher who is in Cy Young Award talks.

In a galaxy far, far away, I always loved the idea of the A’s renting a prominent starter for a season. But while original reports said he more than likely would sign a one-year deal, his agent, Rachel Luba said he was open to all kinds of possibilities, including more than an initial deal.

Bauer boasted an NL-leading 1.73 ERA with two shutouts in 11 starts in 2020 with the Cincinnati Reds.

"},{"index":4,"title":"RHP, Liam Hendriks","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/archive/assets_media_gallery/bayarea/2020/10/30/app-201024-liam-hendriks.jpg","caption":"

Another familiar A’s name, yes. But this might be a little more difficult to bring Liam Hendriks back, but for good reason.

The recently named 2020 AL Reliever of the Year has been sensational over the last two years. He boasted a 1.78 ERA in 2020 and has come a long way. His story alone is interesting after being DFA’d multiple times to being arguably the best closer in the game.

He avoided arbitration with the A’s last year, signing a one-year, $5.3 million contract. He deserves more than that and should be getting a pretty penny wherever he lands. A’s fans hope it’s once again with Oakland.

"},{"index":5,"title":"RHP, Masahiro Tanaka","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/archive/assets_media_gallery/bayarea/2020/10/30/app-201027-masahiro-tanaka.jpg","caption":"

Do you sense a theme here? Yes, the A’s need starting pitching -- specifically a stellar starter. Masahiro Tanaka would be a dream addition, and believe it or not, it might not be too farfetched.

Now hear me out.

He might not come back to the New York Yankees in 2021 because the team isn’t considering him an ace, which is bad news for the Yanks, but positive for the A’s. A low 3.56 ERA this season, his lowest since 2016, could make the case for bringing him on the squad.

However, if the Yankees give him a qualifying offer, he’d probably take it.

"}]}

MLB free agency: Five dream players A's should target this offseason