It’s Time To Acknowledge Cristian Pache Sucks
The Matt Olson trade is going to go down as a big time flop. If it wasn’t clear already, it is now. It’s time to acknowledge that Cristian Pache stinks and the A’s blew it. On a team that has basically zero talent, it’s been reported that Pache isn’t going to make the A’s Opening Day roster.
On a post written by the San Francisco Chronicle that’s locked behind a paywall so don’t bother reading it, they have reported that Pache is essentially showcasing himself for the rest of the league at this point. Esteury Ruiz will be the man who replaces him on the active roster.
Pache isn’t untalented. He’s still an elite defender and that should matter. Pache, 24, posted 5 Defensive Runs Saved, 8 Outs Above Average in just 646 innings in 2022. The problem is he can’t hit a lick. In 2022, Pache sported an ugly batting line of .166/.218/.241 through 260 plate appearances. AAA didn’t treat him much better in an extremely hitter-friendly environment (.248/.298/.389 slash (68 wRC+).
We have seen this many times before. The classic Lewis Brinson. Great athlete! Can’t hit a lick. Could never hit a lick. The same goes for Pache. Great, maybe in three years he tops out as a 4th outfielder and defensive replacement. You’re never giving up an arm and a leg for that player unless it’s for free.
Free is exactly what’s going to happen with Pache. He’s been removed from the 40-man roster. Likely because he’s run out of minor league options. Maybe the A’s feel like they can’t get something but I don’t see how unless the team has the option to send Pache back down to the minors. He’s likely going to clear waviers first and then become a pet project for someone else.
The A’s stink as it is and cannot afford to be botching returns on major pieces. The more they do, the more likely it is the team leaves and moves to Vegas or somewhere else. We’ve seen plenty at this point to just recognize Pache is a bust and anything they get out of Shea Langliers won’t be enough to justify the Olson trade.
