Spring Is Coming, and So Are the A’s - But Is the Pitching Ready?
As the sports world turns its attention to the Super Bowl and the Winter Olympics, there’s another important date quietly approaching for baseball fans - especially those in green and gold. Spring Training is just around the corner, and for the Oakland Athletics, it’s more than just a return to the field. It’s a chance to turn the page, sharpen the roster, and address a few lingering questions before the 2026 season begins.
Mark Your Calendars: Baseball’s Back
Pitchers and catchers report on February 12, with the A’s first full-squad workout set for February 17. Just four days later, the team opens its Cactus League slate against the White Sox on February 21. That gives Oakland just a few short weeks to finalize a roster that, while promising on offense, still has question marks on the mound.
**Offense? Check.
Pitching? Still TBD.
**
Let’s start with the good news: the A’s lineup looks ready to roll. The core returns intact from last season, headlined by Nick Kurtz, who’s coming off a rookie campaign that was nothing short of historic.
He’s not just a bat to watch - he’s a potential franchise cornerstone entering his first full season. Joining him is Jeff McNeil, acquired from the Mets to bring a steady glove and professional bat to second base.
McNeil’s presence adds balance and consistency to a group that already knows how to score.
But scoring wasn’t the problem last year - keeping runs off the board was. The A’s pitching staff struggled, particularly at home in Sacramento, where opposing hitters found too much comfort.
Run prevention was the Achilles’ heel of a team that otherwise showed flashes of competitiveness. And that brings us to the biggest storyline of the offseason: what’s being done to fix the pitching?
Rotation Needs Reinforcements
So far, the lone addition is reliever Mark Leiter Jr., a solid bullpen piece but not the kind of splash that transforms a staff. The rotation will once again be led by Luis Severino, who’s set to pitch for the Dominican Republic in the upcoming World Baseball Classic.
Severino brings experience and edge, but he’ll need help. Luis Morales is one to watch - he’s got breakout potential and could take a big step forward in his first full season.
Beyond that, the A’s are looking at a trio of lefty prospects - Gage Jump, Jamie Arnold, and Wei-En Lin - who’ve impressed in the minors. All three have the tools to become big-league starters, but banking on them to carry the load this season would be risky. This offense is good enough to compete now, and wasting another year waiting for the arms to catch up would be a tough pill to swallow.
Free Agent Market Still Has Options
One name still on the board? Zac Gallen.
The right-hander is coming off a down year in 2025, but the upside is undeniable. If he rebounds, he could change the entire complexion of the A’s rotation.
The catch? Signing him means giving up a draft pick, since he turned down a qualifying offer.
That’s a tough trade-off for a team that values its farm system - but it might be worth it.
If Gallen proves too costly, there are other routes. A reunion with veteran Chris Bassitt could provide leadership and innings.
Lucas Giolito and Zack Littell also remain available and could slot into the middle of the rotation. And if the A’s want to take a chance on upside, Michael Kopech could be a high-velocity addition to a bullpen that’s expected to go closer-by-committee once again.
Crunch Time in the Desert
With Spring Training around the corner, the clock is ticking. The A’s have a lineup that can hang with just about anyone, but if the front office doesn’t shore up the pitching staff soon, it could be another season of “what ifs.” There’s talent here - young, exciting, and ready to make noise - but it needs support on the mound to truly contend.
The pieces are close. The question now is whether the A’s will make the moves to complete the puzzle.