has always been consistent in Oakland. Can we expect to see him back next year?
-- Erik C., Antioch, Calif.
I suspect the answer is yes. Lowrie has been so consistently productive this year that it seems the A's are planning on picking up his club option for the 2018 season, even with their top prospect, Franklin Barreto, ready to take over second-base duties. No A's hitter has been more reliable than Lowrie over the course of this year, and he's also looked better defensively.
Best-case scenario for the A's: They lock in Lowrie for next season, see him stay healthy and produce in a similar manner in the first half, and get something for him at the Trade Deadline.