The A’s enter next season with room for turnover, and two relief arms have put themselves in the conversation for 2027. In a bullpen that could still be reshaped this offseason, Scott Blewett and Brady Basso have both given the club something to think about.
Blewett’s path has taken him through several organizations, but he finally found some traction after landing with the A’s. The Cardinals gave him a chance earlier in the 2026 season before he was dealt to Oakland, and the move came after he had been designated for assignment. The A’s likely made the deal with an eye toward keeping him out of another team’s hands, and he turned that opportunity into a strong showing in West Sacramento.
His numbers make the case clearly enough: a 3.13 ERA over 37.1 innings in 2026. For a pitcher who has spent much of his pro career searching for a big-league foothold, that kind of run matters.
The A’s bullpen remains unsettled, and Blewett’s production could be enough to earn him a real look when Spring Training arrives. That said, nothing is guaranteed, since the club could still add relievers over the winter.
Basso is a different kind of candidate, but he’s in the same basic lane. He’s been in the organization for years and was still viewed as a ranked prospect into the 2026 season. Injuries and inconsistency have slowed him down, yet the left-hander still has a shot to carve out a role, especially with a bullpen that leans heavily right-handed.
The 2026 stat line wasn’t pretty on the surface: a 6.07 ERA in 43 innings for the Green and Gold. But there were better signs underneath.
His ERA was 4.42 in away games, he turned in a 2.79 ERA in July, and he followed that with a 3.21 ERA in August. If the A’s don’t bring in dependable left-handers this offseason, Basso could be one of the more realistic dark-horse options for the 2027 roster.
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As Front Office Search Just Became More Important Than Ever
The Athletics front office search has taken on a sharper edge as the postseason picture elsewhere keeps moving. With the Rays one win away from the World Series after their latest victory over Cleveland, Oakland is still sorting through one of the most important decisions in the organization, looking for a new leader to guide a team that needs clarity as much as anything.
Several names have surfaced in the process, including Red Sox assistant GM Taylor Smith, who is being mentioned as a favorite for the opening. The As have also reportedly offered the title of president to Phillies executive Sam Fuld, but no official announcement has been made on a new general manager, leaving the clubs next step very much unresolved. [Read more 🡒]