One of the team’s bright spots the past few years has been Stephen Vogt, the A's lone 2016 All-Star. While Vogt isn't perfect, he’s provided offense at a position devoid of it across the league while admirably handling a young pitching staff. He’s not a great framer or a great defender by any means, but he’s fills an important spot on the roster and overall he fills it well.
In July, the A’s called up Bruce Maxwell. At first it seemed like a one-off sort of deal, the A’s filling a roster spot as Stephen Vogt attended to a family matter.