What's Happening?
The Oakland Athletics have signed Joey Meneses, a former breakout star with the Washington Nationals, to a minor league contract. Meneses, who debuted in the MLB as a 30-year-old rookie in 2022, initially
impressed with a .324 batting average and 13 home runs in his first 56 games. However, his performance declined over the next two seasons, leading to a slugging percentage of .370. After being released by the Nationals, Meneses spent the 2025 season with the Triple-A Syracuse Mets, where he batted .265 with 11 home runs. Despite his past success, Meneses is unlikely to return to his initial MLB performance level, but the Athletics, a rebuilding team, may offer him opportunities due to their less competitive roster.
Why It's Important?
The signing of Joey Meneses by the Athletics highlights the team's strategy of acquiring players with potential upside at a low cost, fitting their rebuilding phase. Meneses' experience and past performance could provide depth to the Athletics' roster, especially given their current lack of star power. This move reflects the broader trend in MLB where teams in rebuilding phases often take chances on players who have shown flashes of talent but have struggled to maintain consistency. For Meneses, this contract represents another chance to prove himself in the major leagues, potentially impacting his career trajectory and the Athletics' season.
