Flash back to the winter of 2013. The Oakland Athletics just came off of a tremendously successful 96-66 season. Although their postseason ended in yet another ALDS loss to the Detroit Tigers, the team still had a bright outlook for 2014. Most of their key pieces that made 2013 a success were expected to return, and the sentiment was that the club was just a few pitching tweaks away from transforming from a good team into a great team.
The front office was searching for a new closer to fill the shoes of Grant Balfour, who had just completed an all-star season while setting the record for most consecutive saves in Athletics franchise history (albeit over two seasons).