Happy Friday everyone!
Today, the Milwaukee Brewers will hold their first World Series championship parade and celebration in downtown Milwaukee. After winning more games than any other team during the regular season, the Brewers stormed through the playoffs, losing just two games en route to a historic title.
Meanwhile, the American League champion Tampa Bay Rays fell short of winning their first World Series title in their third appearance this century. The Rays’ lineup lacked sufficient firepower,
while the team’s bullpen faltered at the worst possible time.
With the postseason over, attention turns to the offseason. Left-hander Tarik Skubal headlines this winter’s free-agent class, while teams will look to make trades to bolster their rosters or reduce payroll. Much of the player movement could take place in November before the potential owner-imposed lockout begins on Dec. 1.
The Athletics kicked off the offseason transaction period, as new president of baseball operations Taylor Smith got right to work. Unsurprisingly, he made his first trade with his former employer.
The Boston Red Sox traded 29-year-old outfielder Nate Eaton to the A’s in exchange for 18-year-old Nicaraguan pitcher Jareth Rayo, who appeared in the Dominican Summer League this year. Eaton, who can play all three outfield spots as well as third base, hit .160 with a .560 OPS, one home run, two doubles and six RBIs in 24 games this season.
The jury is still out on his bat, but his 96th percentile sprint speed and 97th percentile arm strength could give him a leg up when competing for a reserve outfield spot. Because Eaton is out of options, either offensively challenged center fielder Denzel Clarke or defensively challenged Carlos Cortes may begin next season in Triple-A, depending on how the A’s roster shakes out.
Let’s welcome Eaton to the Athletics. If today was any indication, the next few weeks have the potential to be busy as Smith works to reshape the roster into one built to contend for the playoffs. What trade or free-agent signing would you like to see Smith make next?
A’s Coverage:
- A’s trade RHP prospect to Red Sox for outfielder Eaton
- A’S OUTRIGHT CATCHER BRIAN SERVEN, FIVE OTHERS
- Three A’s Officially Elect Free Agency
- Q&A: Smith discusses his new role as youngest head of baseball ops in MLB
- Optics vs. Infrastructure: Taylor Smith’s First Dilemma
- Athletics Hire Taylor Smith As Next President of Baseball Operations
- On New PBO Taylor Smith: What’s In A Number?
- A’s Considering Hiring GM Under Taylor Smith
- Trade Candidate: Shea Langeliers
- A’s Max Muncy Undergoes Knee Debridement
- The five biggest questions facing the A’s this offseason
- Inside the A’s State-of-the-Art Las Vegas Ballpark
- How technology will shape fan experiences at the A’s Las Vegas ballpark
- Pitching prospect Huggins growing his game with the help of this A’s Hall of Famer
- ’Be a sponge’: No. 19 prospect leads A’s Fall League group with do-it-all mentality
- A’s LHP prospect Richardson shows off health and resiliency during Fall League homecoming
- Zack Of All Trades Tries To Get One More Win: In Court
- Important Dates For The Athletics This Offseason
- 12 A’s Players Out of Options Heading Into 2027
- How MLB’s Proposed Changes Would Impact the A’s
- A’s part ways with assistant hitting, quality control coaches
- After an outfield collision left him paralyzed, every gain in rehab is a big win for A’s Ryan Lasko
- Why 2027 Athletics Will Be Completely Different Team
- 2026: Year Of The “Didn’t See That Coming!”
- A’s Hoping Luis Severino Chooses to Stay
- Where the A’s Plan to Use Zack Gelof in 2027
- Drafting The Top AL Graduated MLB Prospects From 2026
- Devin Taylor: Athletics 2026 Minor League Player Of The Year
- Athletics 2026 MLB Draft Report Card
- Henry Bolte Is the A’s Next Budding Star
- Determining Athletics’ Offensive MVP for the 2026 Season
- 2027 Infield Landscape Ever Changing
- Get the best of Athletics Nation on the new SB Nation app
MLB News & Interest:
- Mighty Brewers prove they’re an unbeatable crew, capture first World Series!
- Your guide to MLB’s coming lockout: Why it’s happening, whether games will be lost, and when baseball will be back
- King opts out of deal with Padres to become free agent (source)
- Bichette bypassing opt-out, returning to Mets for 2027 season (source)
- Tatsuya Imai Will Not Opt Out Of Astros Deal
- Mariners pick up Muñoz’s option; Robles becomes free agent
- Ryan Helsley To Exercise Player Option
- Diamondbacks expected to listen to Ketel Marte trade offers once again
- Way-Too-Early 2027 MLB Power Rankings: Who’s No. 1?
- Brewers’ William Contreras eighth catcher to earn World Series MVP honors
- Milwaukee Public Schools to close for Brewers’ championship parade
- These Brewers World Series artifacts are heading to the Hall of Fame
- How will the Giants resolve their 40-man roster predicament?
- Owner Mark Walter says he’ll keep Dodgers, ‘no matter what’
- Brewers’ Matt Kleine Is Astros’ Top Target In GM Search
- Super Two Status Set At 2.133 Years Of Service
- Today in Baseball History
Best of X
Check out the latest episode of Beyond the Dugout if you want to learn more about A’s left-hander Hogan Harris.
This is not a good look. Hopefully, Henry Baez and fellow right-hander Braden Nett deliver bounce-back seasons next year. Baez is the most intriguing prospect in this list, while right-hander Geoff Hartlieb and catcher Brian Serven saw the most major league playing time this past season.
Curious to hear the community’s thoughts on this tweet.
Ariel view of the Athletics’ under-construction stadium in Las Vegas.
