Jed Lowrie could be staying a while with A's

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Jed Lowrie's time with the A's was expected to be relatively short - two seasons and then, boom, out via free agency.

Now, though, Oakland has no shortstop waiting in the wings. Addison Russell, one of the top prospects in baseball, was projected to be the A's next starter there, and now Russell is gone, traded to the Cubs along with outfielder Billy McKinney and starter Dan Straily for pitchers Jeff Samardzija and Jason Hammel.

Lowrie - whose leadoff single Tuesday sparked the A's four-run third inning vs. the Giants - suddenly appears as if he might be the A's best bet at the spot.

Daniel Robertson, at Class-A Stockton, won't be ready for two or three more years. A free agent shortstop on the open market would be extremely pricey. If Oakland opts to give Lowrie an extension, though, the team might get a bit of a break: Lowrie's batting average took a hit during his funk in May and June, and he's part of a club that has put together the best record in baseball. If ever there is a time to get a good all-around shortstop at a slightly reduced rate, it would be now, because Lowrie certainly is happy playing for Oakland.

"We have a great group of guys here and we have a great opportunity," he said before Tuesday's game. "I'm just trying to enjoy it. If something works out where they offer me an extension, great, hopefully we can do that. You never say never. And if not, I'll explore free agency."

Third baseman Josh Donaldson, who has expressed his own interest in a long-term deal with the A's, would love to see Lowrie return next season and beyond, saying, "I think Jed has played awfully well since he's been here, and he's stayed healthy, which had been his only issue before he got here. Obviously, I want him here. He's done such a good job for us."

But from a business standpoint, Donaldson said, he might advise Lowrie to see what the market holds.

"There is such a value for guys like him, a switch-hitting shortstop. I'd tell him to test free agency," Donaldson said. "He's had some tough luck hitting this year, but I've noticed his defense is way better - way better."

Jed Lowrie (left), congratulated by coach Tye Waller after a hit against the Giants in the A's 6-1 victory, is in line to be a free agent if the A's don't sign him to a contract extension. Jed Lowrie (left), congratulated by coach Tye Waller after a hit against the Giants in the A's 6-1 victory, is in line to be a free agent if the A's don't sign him to a contract extension. Photo: Carlos Avila Gonzalez, The Chronicle Buy photo Photo: Carlos Avila Gonzalez, The Chronicle Image 1 of / 3 Caption Close Jed Lowrie could be staying a while with A's 1 / 3 Back to Gallery

Donaldson paused, laughed and said, "Jed would say that's because I'm letting him get to more of those balls."

Lowrie's average had dipped to .215 near the end of June, but he has multiple hits in each of his past four games, going 8- for-16, and in seven of his past 11 games (15-for-46). The four consecutive multi-hit games are a career high.

General manager Billy Beane declined to comment about a possible extension for Lowrie.