Rotation uncertainty, free-agent decisions loom for A’s

For their next trick, the Oakland A’s will have to try to figure out how to retain some key figures from their stirring 2018 run to the playoffs, and how to ensure that their rotation is far more stable and reliable than it was this year.

But not yet. First, the A’s brain trust will enjoy the unexpected 97-win season and trip to the wild-card game.

“Despite the disappointment of the other day, it was a very satisfying season,” A’s vice president of baseball operations Billy Beane said Friday at the Coliseum. “We finished strong last year, I think we had expectations we would get better, but these guys exceeded how much better with their performance.