The Oakland Athletics had no trouble putting runs on the board in 2025. With a young core stepping up in a big way-Brent Rooker, Nick Kurtz, Shea Langeliers, Tyler Soderstrom, and Lawrence Butler all made their presence felt-the A’s offense turned heads across the league.
They finished the regular season with a .253 team batting average, tied for fifth-best in MLB. That’s the same mark as the Dodgers, a team fresh off back-to-back World Series titles.
Not bad company to keep.
But while the bats brought the heat, the pitching staff couldn’t keep pace. The rotation struggled to find consistency, and Luis Severino in particular looked like two different pitchers depending on the zip code-solid at home, shaky on the road.
As a unit, the starting staff posted a 4.70 ERA, ranking 27th in the majors. That kind of number makes it tough to stay in the playoff race, no matter how many runs your offense puts up.
So far this offseason, the A’s have been quiet on the pitching front. The only addition has been veteran reliever Mark Leiter Jr., signed to a one-year deal to bolster the bullpen.
It’s a modest move, and it doesn’t do much to address the glaring need for rotation help. There are still arms available on the market, but the A’s haven’t made a push-at least not yet.
Instead, the buzz around Oakland right now is about a potential move to add more pop to an already potent lineup. The A’s have been linked to free agent third baseman Eugenio Suárez, one of the top bats still available.
It’s an interesting possibility, especially considering the team’s recent pursuit of Nolan Arenado. Oakland was reportedly willing to take on more money than Arizona in the Arenado sweepstakes, but the five-time All-Star ultimately chose the Diamondbacks-likely influenced by the A’s current home situation.
Let’s be real: playing home games at Sutter Health Park in Sacramento-a Triple-A stadium-makes it a tough sell for high-profile free agents. Veterans with options are naturally going to lean toward more stable, big-league environments.
That’s the challenge Oakland faces right now. But the fact that they were willing to commit to a multi-year deal for Arenado shows they’re not afraid to spend when the fit is right.
Suárez could be that fit. He brings power, experience, and a steady glove at the hot corner.
And with the A’s already fielding a young, energetic lineup, adding a veteran bat like his could help balance the roster and provide leadership in the clubhouse. The question is whether he’s willing to sign on given the team’s current situation-and whether Oakland is ready to make a serious offer.
Pitching remains the elephant in the room. The A’s can hit, but unless they shore up the rotation, they’ll be asking their offense to carry too much of the load again. Still, adding Suárez would be a statement-proof that the front office is looking to compete, even while temporarily calling a minor league ballpark home.
For now, we wait to see if Oakland can land Suárez-and if they do, whether it’s the first domino in a broader plan to address the rest of the roster. Because if this team wants to take the next step, it’s going to take more than just offense.