The Oakland A’s enjoyed a Cinderella season in 2018. Entering the summer a realistic goal was to avoid last place, but instead they charged all the way into the postseason with their highest win total in 16 years. There were plenty of heroes along the way and a handful of historic performances, but the most amazing may have been closer Blake Treinen.
Sure, Matt Chapman is an easy pick for Team MVP with his 8.2 bWAR and 6.5 fWAR, and Jed Lowrie put together his second straight career year at age 34. Ramon Laureano did some things we’ve never seen out of an A’s rookie, and Khris Davis turned in one of the best slugging seasons in franchise history.