Less than a day after the World Series wrapped up, the Athletics and Red Sox were already back in business.
On Thursday, the A’s landed outfielder Nate Eaton from Boston in exchange for Minor League right-hander Jareth Rayo, making the deal the first trade of the offseason between the two clubs. At the same time, Oakland announced a wave of roster moves, with right-handers Henry Baez, Joey Estes and Geoff Hartlieb; catcher Brian Serven; infielder Michael Stefanic; and outfielder Johnathan Rodriguez all clearing waivers and being outrighted to Triple-A Las Vegas.
Eaton, 29, has had only a small Major League sample with Boston over the last two seasons. He played in 24 games for the Red Sox in 2026 and finished with a .160 average, a .560 OPS, one home run, two doubles and six RBIs.
He brings a flexible glove, too. Eaton has logged time at all three outfield spots and even some third base, and with Boston dealing with a 40-man roster squeeze, he looks set to give the A’s some added outfield depth at Triple-A.
Rayo is only 18 and signed with Oakland during the 2024-25 international signing period out of Nicaragua. In 2026, he made 11 appearances in the Dominican Summer League, including nine starts, and posted a 5.50 ERA with 36 strikeouts and 20 walks over 36 innings.
The move also gives the A’s their first official transaction since hiring new president of baseball operations Taylor Smith. Smith already knows Boston well, having worked in the Red Sox front office under chief baseball officer Craig Breslow from 2024-26.
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Athletics Face Early Offseason Calls That Could Reshape The Roster
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There is already plenty of chatter around how those calls will land, especially because each player sits at a different point in the teams winter plans. The As do not have much room for ambiguity here, and the resolution on those options should offer an early read on how aggressively they want to remake the roster before the market really starts to move. [Read more 🡒]
A's Offseason Pitching Plan May Start With A Familiar Arm
With a new offseason and a new president of baseball operations in Taylor Smith, the Athletics are expected to look hard at pitching upgrades as they try to reshape a staff that needs more help. Left-handed arms are part of that search, with names like Aaron Ashby in the mix as Oakland looks for options that can bring both depth and flexibility to the mound.
One familiar possibility is Sean Newcomb, whose past time with the As gives him a built-in familiarity with the organization. He has worked both as a reliever and a starter, which makes him an appealing fit for a club that can use pitching in a variety of roles, and Oakland may be willing to explore a multi-year arrangement if the reunion makes sense on both sides. [Read more 🡒]
A's First Offseason Move Raises A Bigger Roster Question
The offseasons first reported trade sent outfielder Nate Eaton from Boston to Oakland, giving the Athletics an early move to sort through as the roster begins to take shape. Eaton arrives as a player still trying to establish himself offensively at the major league level, but the change of scenery gives him a fresh opportunity to keep his career moving with a club that can use depth and competition across the outfield mix.
What makes the deal more intriguing for the As is the lack of clarity around the return, which leaves the transaction feeling more like the opening note in a longer offseason conversation than a finished move. For Oakland, every early addition matters as it tries to build out a roster that still has plenty of questions to answer, and this one hints that the front office is willing to start doing that work now. [Read more 🡒]