A’s must decide how young they want to go in 2017

OAKLAND — The A’s offseason, never boring, should bring about plenty of intrigue following a second consecutive last-place finish in the American League West.

Never stagnant during the winter months, A’s executive vice president of baseball operations Billy Beane and Co. will have plenty of decisions to make, beginning with a handful of non-tender candidates. Once their roster is subsequently pared down, the A’s will be left to examine which parts of a mostly youthful group they want to keep in place.

The outfield is seemingly their weakest link, and the rotation, brimming with talent and depth, should be their greatest strength heading into the new year.

• A’s pivot during ’16, usher in youth movement

Changes will surely abound, but not before the A’s decide just how much they’re willing to lean on a youth movement that carried them through the second half of the 2016 season.

Arbitration-eligible: RHPs Henderson Alvarez, Sonny Gray, Liam Hendriks, Jarrod Parker, Fernando Rodriguez; LHP Felix Doubront; 1B Yonder Alonso; INF Eric Sogard; OF Khris Davis; OF/INF Danny Valencia; C Stephen Vogt

Free agents: LHP Ross Detwiler, OF Sam Fuld

Rotation: The A’s have a slew of rotation options entering next season. Behind Gray, who will be looking to return to form following a disappointing 2016 campaign, any combination of these options could be in play: Kendall Graveman, Sean Manaea, Jharel Cotton, Raul Alcantara, Daniel Mengden, Dillon Overton, Jesse Hahn, Andrew Triggs and rehabbing arms Chris Bassitt and Felix Doubront.

Bullpen: The A’s relief corps is in good shape heading into the offseason, with several key components from their 2016 group expected back — including closer Ryan Madson, who is under contract through 2018, and Sean Doolittle, John Axford, Ryan Dull and Hendriks. Though this group stumbled at times this season, it was mostly solid and figures to be a strength for the club again.

Catcher: The A’s …

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