The Oakland A’s entered the offseason with a clear to-do list: reinforce a rotation that struggled mightily in 2025, shore up weak spots at second and third base, and find a new closer after dealing Mason Miller. But as we hit early February with pitchers and catchers just about ready to report, the roster doesn’t look drastically different from the one that wrapped up last season.
Let’s start with the rotation - the biggest red flag heading into the winter. As it stands now, the A’s are rolling into spring with a group headlined by Luis Severino, followed by Jeffrey Springs, Jacob Lopez, Luis Morales, and potentially Jack Perkins.
There’s talent in that mix, no question, but there’s also a lot of inexperience and uncertainty. Behind them are a handful of intriguing but unproven arms.
That’s not exactly the kind of depth you want when your starting staff was statistically among the worst in baseball a year ago.
The bullpen has seen some additions, but nothing that screams "problem solved." Mark Leiter Jr. brings a solid, steady presence - a good under-the-radar pickup.
Scott Barlow, meanwhile, is a bit of a wild card. He’s got swing-and-miss stuff, but also a history of issuing too many free passes and posting an ERA that hovers around 4.00.
The back end of the bullpen might have more options now, but it’s far from dominant.
On the infield, the A’s have made a couple of moves, though not exactly headline-grabbers. Jeff McNeil is a notable addition - a versatile, high-contact hitter who can plug in at second base.
Andy Ibañez also joins the mix, but he’s more of a utility option than a full-time solution. At third base, Max Muncy still holds down the spot, backed by Brett Harris and now Ibañez, with Darell Hernaiz potentially in the conversation as well.
So where does that leave us? Honestly, not far from where things stood at the end of 2025 - at least on the surface.
But here’s the thing: last year’s 76-86 record doesn’t quite tell the whole story. After a brutal 1-20 stretch that nearly sunk the season, the A’s finished strong, going 34-24 over their final 60 games.
That’s a .567 winning percentage - a 92-win pace over a full season. Strip out that disastrous slump, and you’re looking at a team that played well above .500 baseball the rest of the way.
That’s part of what makes this offseason so puzzling. The A’s identified clear areas of need, and yet, with just days until camp opens, the biggest additions are players like Ibañez and Barlow. So, what gives?
Well, let’s talk about the elephant in the room: Sacramento. The A’s temporary home in 2025 turned out to be a launching pad for hitters and a nightmare for pitchers.
That’s not exactly a selling point when you’re trying to lure free-agent arms. Pitchers with options - and let’s face it, most of the quality ones do - are understandably hesitant to sign up for a year in a ballpark that inflates ERAs and home run totals.
The A’s have likely made offers. The problem is getting guys to say yes.
That brings us to the trade market, where the A’s have been active - or at least engaged. GM David Forst has no doubt worked the phones, but the asking prices for quality starting pitchers have been sky-high.
It’s a seller’s market, with nearly every team looking to add arms. And when teams are asking for top-tier prospects like Tyler Soderstrom or Gage Jump in return, it’s understandable that the A’s have pumped the brakes.
Giving up long-term building blocks for short-term upgrades doesn’t always make sense, especially for a club still figuring out its competitive timeline.
So maybe the A’s are playing the long game. Maybe they’re waiting for the market to come back to them.
After all, there are still free-agent pitchers out there - including some big names - who remain unsigned. With each passing day, the chances increase that one of those veterans might reconsider and see Sacramento as a viable short-term landing spot.
You only need one to say yes.
It’s also possible the front office has its eyes more on 2027 or 2028 than 2026. In that case, the real reinforcements might already be in the system - guys like Gage Jump, Jamie Arnold, or Leo De Vries. If the A’s believe their next core is still developing, then staying patient this offseason could be part of a bigger-picture strategy.
Still, there’s a sense that something’s coming. The A’s haven’t added that mid-rotation arm yet, but there’s time.
The clock’s ticking, though. Valentine’s Day is around the corner, and so is the start of camp.
If the A’s are going to make a move, it needs to happen soon.
Because ready or not, it’s almost showtime.