Report: A's remain interested in reunion with Semien, Soria

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At the end of the 2020 season, A’s general manager David Forst made it clear the team wanted to re-sign shortstop Marcus Semien after he hit free agency for the first time in his career.

The Athletic’s Jim Bowden reported, citing sources, the A’s indeed are among the teams that have been part of negotiations “to some extent” with the 30-year-old shortstop. Bowden also listed the Philadelphia Phillies, Boston Red Sox and Cincinnati Reds as potential suitors who have been involved in negotiations. 

Semien told NBC Sports Bay Area in November that the 2020 season with the compacted 60 games was not enough time to show what he or any other free agents were worth.

He came off a stellar 2019 campaign in which he finished third in AL MVP voting while slashing .285/.369/.522 with 43 doubles, 33 homers and 92 RBI in a league-leading 747 plate appearances and started in all 162 games at shortstop.

In 2020, Semien's numbers didn’t match what he was capable of doing. He missed a few games with an injury and slashed .223/.305/.374 with nine doubles, seven homers and 23 RBI in 53 games.

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Semien spent six seasons with the A’s and is a Bay Area native, so a potential reunion makes it a little more personal for him.

Additionally, the A’s could reunite with two-time All-Star reliever Joakim Soria, who also is a free agent.

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MLB Network’s Jon Morosi reported, citing sources, the A’s, and fellow AL West teams, the Los Angeles Angels and Texas Rangers, have shown interest in the 36-year-old.

With the A’s losing closer Liam Hendriks in free agency to the Chicago White Sox, bringing Soria back could help Oakland's bullpen maintain its strong reputation. Soria boasted a 2.82 ERA with 24 strikeouts in 22 1/3 innings in 2020.

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