The A’s made a pair of roster calls on Friday that could reshape how they attack the rest of the offseason. Jeffrey Springs and Jeff McNeil had their club options declined, while Luis Severino exercised his option and will stay with the team for one more season.
That leaves Oakland with work to do, especially in the rotation and at second base. The pitching side feels like the bigger priority, and the A’s are expected to go looking for help there after being short-handed on the mound.
Springs’ 2026 season was rough. His ERA sat north of six, and the lack of confidence he showed on the mound was hard to miss. For a veteran, that’s not the kind of year that inspires much optimism.
Still, there’s a case for bringing him back if the price is right.
The A’s are likely to spend most of their money on pitching, and a low-cost innings-eater could fit what they need. Springs gave them plenty to like in 2025, when he led the club in innings pitched and was one of the more dependable arms over the final stretch.
That earlier version of Springs is why a reunion can’t be ruled out. If he can bounce back in 2027, the A’s could get a useful starter without paying much for him. After a season like the one he just had, he probably won’t command a big free-agent deal.
If Oakland did bring him back cheaply, Springs would likely slide into the back end of the rotation. He has served as the team’s second starter for the last two seasons, but last year’s performance would push him down the depth chart.
The A’s are also expected to add at least a couple of arms to the rotation, though they could still piece together a workable group even if they don’t land all the help they want.
JT Ginn was excellent last season and showed he can pitch like an ace. Jacob Lopez should also be in the mix for a rotation spot.
Beyond that, the rest of the openings are there for Taylor Smith and the front office to sort through.
In Other News...
Luis Severino Just Put Oakland's Rotation In A Tough Spot
Luis Severinos decision to stay put gives the Athletics a familiar name to build around, but it also keeps one of their biggest pitching questions right in the middle of the offseason. After a mixed stretch on the mound and a late-season absence because of a shoulder injury, Severino is still expected to factor prominently into next years rotation, which makes his status one of the more important items on the clubs winter checklist.
The wrinkle is that Oakland may not be done weighing its options. Severinos return adds stability on paper, yet it also leaves the As with a decision to make about how committed they want to be to him moving forward, especially with the rotation needing clarity and reliability. For now, he is back in the mix, but the way Oakland handles his situation could shape the rest of its offseason. [Read more 🡒]