The A’s are still early in their offseason work, but the pitching market already points them toward a familiar kind of target: someone with upside, some risk, and a chance to make a real difference if everything clicks.
So far, Oakland has added Nate Eaton from the Red Sox and has not made any pitching moves. That leaves plenty of room for the front office to keep digging, whether that means the trade market or free agency. Former Dodgers closer Evan Phillips has already landed with the Braves, and the offseason is still young with only a few names off the board.
One arm that makes sense for the A’s is Milwaukee right-hander Brandon Woodruff. He has spent all nine of his major league seasons with the Brewers, and that kind of long run can make any possible separation complicated. Still, his injury history could open the door for a change if Milwaukee decides to move on from the 33-year-old starter.
That injury record is the big question. Woodruff has not thrown more than 150 innings since 2022, and since then his high-water mark was only 67 innings in 2023. That kind of availability naturally lowers the price, even if the talent remains obvious.
When Woodruff is healthy, he looks every bit like a front-line starter. And that matters for a team like the A’s, who do not currently have a true ace. If they want to land impact pitching without paying top-of-market costs, Woodruff could be the kind of bet that fits.
There is also a broader roster angle here. Woodruff would make sense, but only if he is part of a larger winter plan and not the only addition. If the A’s want a legitimate shot at contending in 2027, they need more arms than one.
If Woodruff is fully healthy and ready by spring, he could even push for the Opening Day nod. Luis Severino has started on Opening Day for the club in each of the last two seasons, but his recent performance has not really locked him into that role for a third straight year.
A rotation built around Woodruff, JT Ginn, Severino, Gage Jump, and Jacob Lopez would at least give the A’s a more interesting mix. The issue is experience: outside of Severino and Woodruff, there is not much of it at the big league level. That is exactly why adding more established pitching has to be part of the plan.
With new GM Cam Castro coming from Milwaukee’s organization, the Brewers could be a natural place for Oakland to shop. Whether that means Woodruff or another former Milwaukee arm, the A’s should be active. And if Woodruff becomes available, they should be right in the middle of it.
In Other News...
A's Future Just Got Tied To Baseball's Next Big Fight
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Even with the stadium taking shape, the bigger financial question hanging over the club is still unresolved. MLB is staring at a potential lockout when the current collective bargaining agreement expires, and the leagues next labor fight is expected to center on whether a salary cap and floor should begin in 2028, a debate that could reshape how teams like the As are forced to operate. [Read more 🡒]
A's Could Make A Tough Shea Langeliers Decision This Winter
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For Oakland, the calculus is straightforward and uncomfortable. The As want to upgrade a pitching staff that needs help, and moving a premium catcher would be one way to chase it, even if it means parting with a player who matters both now and down the road. The Yankees have been floated as a possible match, but the real question is whether the Athletics decide the return is worth making a difficult call on one of their most valuable pieces. [Read more 🡒]
As New GM Is Earning The Kind Of Praise Fans Needed
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Arnolds endorsement mattered, too, because it framed Castro as more than just another executive with a rsum. He pointed to Castros broad coaching background and his ability to connect with players at every level, traits that can matter as much as any title when a front office is trying to build trust. For As fans looking for a fresh start, the appeal is obvious, even if the full shape of Castros path and what it says about him is still only beginning to come into focus. [Read more 🡒]