Here is a breakdown of the 34 players who spent the most time and made the biggest impact with Oakland this season and what their roles for the A's may be heading into the offseason.

Catcher

Sean Murphy (first-year arbitration eligible): Murphy surpassed Oakland’s expectations in terms of workload as he played in 119 games despite dealing with a scary situation in mid-February when he underwent emergency surgery to repair a collapsed lung just before the start of Spring Training. He should enter 2022 as the club’s starting catcher.

Yan Gomes (free agent after World Series): Gomes proved to be a valuable trade acquisition thanks to both his production at the plate as well as his veteran leadership behind the plate and his ability to guide the younger pitchers through outings over the second half. Though he made a good impression, this offseason Gomes is likely to land on a team that can offer more playing time than he would get with the A’s.

First base

Matt Olson (second-year arbitration eligible): Coming off an MVP-caliber season, Olson will enter the 2022 season established as one of the elite players in baseball.

Mitch Moreland (free agent after World Series): The A’s were hoping that Moreland would turn out to be another of the trademark savvy free-agent signings they’ve managed to hit on in recent years, but the veteran first baseman saw a dropoff in production as he battled a few injuries. With Olson proving to be durable, expect the A’s to let Moreland walk and search for a cheaper backup first baseman.

Second base

Jed Lowrie (free agent after World Series): At age 37, Lowrie surpassed everyone’s expectations with a career rejuvenation on a Minor League deal after going through back-to-back injury-plagued seasons with the Mets from 2019-20. Given Lowrie’s comfort level with the organization, there’s a good chance the A’s will look to bring him back on another one-year deal.

Tony Kemp (second-year arbitration eligible): Kemp received more playing time than in any previous Major League season and he responded with career highs in several offensive categories. Though his ability to play multiple positions makes him a valuable utility option, Kemp could find himself in line to step up as the A’s primary second baseman for 2022.

Josh Harrison (free agent after World Series): Harrison arrived to the A’s from the Nationals at the Trade Deadline and he provided a much-needed spark at the top of the lineup over the second half. His profile certainly fits the mold of a player the A’s value -- he can play every position (outside of catcher and pitcher) -- but Oakland may have to bid with several other teams for Harrison’s services after the strong season he put together.

Shortstop

Elvis Andrus (signed through 2022): Though Andrus did not produce at the level of his predecessor at shortstop (Marcus Semien), he immediately helped fill the void Semien’s departure as a leader and beloved teammate in the clubhouse. Set to enter 2022 as the club’s highest-paid player, Andrus is expected to begin the year once again as the A’s starting shortstop.

Third base

Matt Chapman (second-year arbitration eligible): Based on the high standards for Chapman, 2021 was a “down year” as he went through ups and downs at the plate and broke the A’s franchise record for strikeouts (202). But Chapman is still viewed as a star around the league and he could even draw some trade interest this offseason as he becomes more expensive through arbitration.

Left field

Mark Canha (free agent after World Series): As a Bay Area native, Canha has a special connection to the A’s fan base and he would likely be willing to return to Oakland. But with the club under tight financial constraints, Canha might find a better deal through free agency elsewhere while the A’s turn to one of their younger outfielders to handle left field.

Seth Brown (under club control): Brown took a big step in establishing himself as a big leaguer this year with the first 20-homer season of his career. With a couple of outfielders hitting free agency, Brown could benefit by stepping into an everyday role next season.

Center field

Starling Marte (free agent after World Series): Marte will go down as one of Billy Beane’s best all-time midseason acquisitions simply for the impact Marte brought to the A’s lineup. Considered one of the top free agent outfielders, the chances he'll return to Oakland are slim due to the high salary he’ll likely command.

Ramón Laureano (first-year arbitration eligible): Laureano still has 27 games left to serve on his 80-game suspension for a performance-enhancing substance. Once eligible to return, he’s expected to slot right back in as the club’s everyday center fielder and a middle-of-the-order bat.

Right field

Chad Pinder (third-year arbitration eligible): Pinder is looking forward to a hopefully healthier 2022 after multiple injuries limited him to just 75 games this season. He remains a valuable utility player that manager Bob Melvin can plug in all around the field.

Stephen Piscotty (signed through 2022 with a club option for ‘23): The injuries have continued to pile on for Piscotty over the past couple of years, with wrist issues in 2021 leading to season-ending surgery in August. With younger outfield prospects close to big league-ready, Piscotty might be a candidate to be moved this offseason.

Designated hitter

Khris Davis (free agent after World Series): After the final game of the season, Davis stated that there is no other place he’d rather play than Oakland. Showing he still has some baseball left in the tank with a solid final month, the A’s should have a good chance of connecting with Davis for a deal to come back next year.

Starting pitcher

Chris Bassitt (third-year arbitration eligible): Had it not been for the unfortunate incident in Chicago on Aug. 17 when Bassitt was hit in the face by a hard line drive, he’d have likely found himself in the running for the AL Cy Young Award, based on his strong numbers to that point. Still, coming off the best season of his career, Bassitt will likely return as the club’s Opening Day 2022 starter.

Sean Manaea (fourth-year arbitration eligible): Entering his final year of arbitration, one has to wonder if Manaea could be a candidate to be traded so the A’s can get something back for him before he hits free agency. Assuming he returns, Manaea would slot right at the top of the rotation.

Frankie Montas (second-year arbitration eligible): Montas enjoyed a breakout 2021 season that will likey earn him a spot among the top five pitchers in AL Cy Young voting. He’ll enter next season as a co-anchor to the rotation alongside Bassitt.

Cole Irvin (on rookie deal): Irvin shocked the entire organization by beating out a couple of top prospects to earn a rotation spot out of Spring Training, and he put together a solid campaign. He should have a spot available as a back-end rotation member come next season.

James Kaprielian (on rookie deal): Though Kaprielian showed some fatigue toward the end of a season that saw him throw the most innings of his career, his overall emergence in the rotation was an encouraging sign for Oakland. He’ll likely begin 2022 in the A’s rotation.

Mike Fiers (free agent after World Series): Fiers spent most of the season on the injured list with a sprained right elbow and is unlikely to sign back with the team.

Daulton Jefferies (on rookie deal): Jefferies dealt with some injuries but with solid work both as a starter and reliever he might have shown enough to get a spot somewhere on the 2022 club out of Spring Training.

Paul Blackburn (first-year arbitration eligible): Blackburn did the best he could in a tough spot as he had to replace Bassitt in the rotation over the final month of the season. He’ll continue to provide pitching depth for the A’s and will likely start 2022 in the Minor Leagues.

Relief pitcher

Lou Trivino (second-year arbitration eligible): Trivino went through ups and downs that saw him earn, lose and regain the closer role. He remains one of the A's top back-end bullpen options on the current roster.

Andrew Chafin (mutual option for 2022): Chafin provided some big innings of late relief following his arrival from the Cubs via trade on July 26. The A’s will hope to bring him back, either on the mutual option or through a new deal in free agency.

Yusmeiro Petit (free agent after World Series): Petit has long been a favorite of Melvin’s and a trusted high-leverage option. If the veteran intends on continuing his baseball career next year, expect the A’s to make a push to bring him back.

Sergio Romo (free agent after World Series): Romo had some big moments for the A’s in what was ultimately an inconsistent 2021 campaign. Not exactly working out as the setup option Oakland hoped he would be, the club could let him walk in free agency.

Jake Diekman (club option for 2022): Diekman was another inconsistent reliever in an A’s bullpen full of them. Oakland will have to decide between paying the left-hander $4 million to return or using a $750,000 buyout.

Trevor Rosenthal (free agent after World Series): Much of the A’s bullpen struggles could be linked to Rosenthal, who was signed just before Spring Training to be their closer but ended up missing the entire year due to injury.

Deolis Guerra (first-year arbitration eligible): A Minor Leaguer for most of his career, Guerra seemed to establish himself with solid work as a multi-inning option out of the A’s bullpen.

A.J. Puk (on rookie deal): Puk is facing a make-or-break 2022. He’s still viewed as one of the club’s top prospects, but after dealing with injuries and inconsistencies the past few years the left-hander will need to prove he can stick at the big league level for a sustained period.

Domingo Acevedo (on rookie deal): Acevedo provided some encouraging innings out of the bullpen over the final month, and he could be an option to remain in the bullpen plans for 2022.

Sam Moll (on rookie deal): Moll will likely return to the Minor Leagues for depth, though he did provide some solid innings in short stints out of Oakland’s bullpen.