Who will man the hot corner for the A's?

This story was excerpted from Martín Gallegos’ A’s Beat newsletter. To read the full newsletter, click here. And subscribe to get it regularly in your inbox.

MESA, Ariz. -- Coming into Spring Training, no position is more wide open on the A’s roster than third base.

Oakland utilized six third basemen in 2023, with no player getting more than 63 starts at the hot corner. Those six combined to hit .192 with a .556 OPS and 10 home runs in 618 plate appearances.

“I would say it is up for grabs,” A’s manager Mark Kotsay said of the club’s third-base picture. “There’s a collection of guys in this camp that are going to compete for that position.”

Jordan Diaz and Aledmys Díaz are the only returning players from last year’s group of third basemen. Let’s take a look at the rest of the options joining them in competition for that spot:

Abraham Toro

Acquired from the Brewers this offseason in exchange for Minor League right-hander Chad Patrick, Toro spent most of last season at Triple-A Nashville, hitting .291 with eight home runs and 58 RBIs in 96 games. He appeared in nine games with Milwaukee, going 8-for-18 (.444) with two homers and nine RBIs. Over five big league seasons, Toro is a .211 hitter with a .636 OPS.

The A's know Toro well from his days in the American League West as a member of the Astros and Mariners from 2019-22. Versatility might help his roster case, as he brings an ability to play second and first base, as well as some outfield, in addition to third. Toro is also a switch-hitter.

Brett Harris (A’s No. 10 prospect)

There is excitement among the A’s coaching staff with Harris, who is participating in his first big league camp as a non-roster invitee. In a combined 105 games between Double-A Midland and Triple-A Las Vegas last season, the 25-year-old hit .279 with an .807 OPS along with nine homers, 10 stolen bases and 62 RBIs.

Even if Harris does not make the Opening Day roster, the feeling is that he will join the Major League club at some point this season.

Darell Hernaiz (A’s No. 9 prospect)

Hernaiz will get most of his reps at shortstop as he competes for a roster spot this spring, though Kotsay indicated that the 22-year-old will also get a look at third base.

Added to Oakland’s 40-man roster this offseason, Hernaiz combined for a slash line of .321/.386/.456 with nine home runs, 32 doubles, 71 RBIs and 13 stolen bases in 131 games between Double-A and Triple-A last season.