The Athletics are heading into the offseason with a pretty clear to-do list after finishing 64-98, a result that looks even worse when you remember they were sitting above .500 and in control of the AL West back in May. If they want next season to go differently, the work starts with the spots that can swing the whole roster.
The biggest problem is the rotation, and it has gotten messy fast. Gage Jump and Jacob Lopez both had stretches this year that looked encouraging, but both pitchers finished the season looking rough.
That leaves two rotation spots that no longer feel secure. Luis Severino’s future is also unresolved, since his decision to stay with the club is still up in the air.
If he turns down his player option, the Athletics would need to add at least two more starters, especially with Jack Perkins and Jeffrey Springs appearing unlikely to be part of the rotation if the team is serious about pushing for a playoff spot.
The bullpen had been trading places with the rotation all year as the area needing the most attention, but the late-season struggles from the starters have pushed the rotation ahead in the priority line. That does not mean the relief corps is suddenly set. It just means the order of operations is clearer now.
There is at least a workable foundation in the bullpen. Elvis Alvarado and Hogan Harris give the Athletics a solid late-inning pairing, and Luis Medina has handled the middle innings like an ace.
Even so, the team probably only needs one or two more dependable relievers at most. Seth Johnson and Brady Basso have also shown they can be solid options for the most part, which gives the group some shape.
Catcher is another spot where the depth chart is thin. Shea Langeliers is already the anchor there, but beyond him the picture gets shaky.
Jonah Heim is likely not to re-sign, which would leave Brian Serven as the No. 2 option. Serven has been better than Heim lately, but that still does not mean the Athletics should stand pat.
Because of the nature of Langeliers' injury, he is expected to need more days off behind the plate next season. Serven could handle the backup role, but the Athletics still need to see what else is available this offseason. Among all the roster spots, catcher stands out as the place where the team has the fewest realistic answers.
In Other News...
Athletics Playoff Push Hinges On One Offseason Fix
The Athletics path forward this winter starts on the mound, where a weak pitching season left little doubt about the biggest item on the to-do list. To get back into the playoff conversation, the front office is expected to look at both trades and free agency to add stability to a rotation and bullpen that need more than just incremental help.
There is also some roster shuffling to consider if the club decides to make a bigger move, and the analysis around the team has already started to connect that search to a few familiar names. The offense could also be affected if Jeff McNeil is no longer in the picture, which would force Oakland to weigh outside help against internal options as it tries to fit the rest of the winter plan together. [Read more 🡒]
Athletics Young Core Is Raising Hope Faster Than Fans Expected
The optimism around the Athletics young core has started to feel a little more concrete, not just aspirational. Nick Kurtz has flashed the kind of production that can speed up a rebuilding timeline, while Boltes second-half offensive surge gave the lineup another reason to believe there is real growth happening underneath the surface. Even amid the usual growing pains that come with a young roster, the early returns suggest the As may have more pieces worth building around than expected.
Lawrence Butler has been the clearest reminder that development can arrive quickly, and his second half gave Oakland a much-needed jolt. Gage Jump, meanwhile, showed why patience still matters, with inconsistency on the mound leaving his future tied as much to refinement as talent. If the Athletics can keep getting this kind of upward movement from multiple young players, the bigger question may not be whether the rebuild is working, but how soon it starts looking complete. [Read more 🡒]
Zack Gelofs Injury Just Took A Turn As Fans Didnt Expect
Zack Gelofs injury has taken an unusual and potentially significant turn, with the Athletics infielder now pursuing a legal route over the July incident at Comerica Park. The lawsuit names the Tigers, Ilitch Holdings and the Detroit-Wayne County Stadium Authority, and it frames the play in question as a matter of ballpark safety rather than simply an unfortunate on-field collision.
According to the complaint, Gelofs knee struck exposed metal fencing because the padding there was inadequate, and the filing says the area was padded shortly after the incident. The case seeks compensation for a range of damages, leaving the broader question now centered on how the injury is being viewed and what comes next for a player whose season has already been affected. [Read more 🡒]