Happy Friday A’s fans!
Last night, the Athletics kicked off a four-game series against their division-rival the Seattle Mariners with a 7-4 victory.
With 21 games remaining, the team’s focus should be on building for next season while trying to avoid the dreaded 100-loss mark. The Athletics have a golden opportunity to play spoiler in upcoming matchups against the Mariners, Cleveland Guardians and Houston Astros, three teams vying for playoff berths. Given how tightly contested the American League
West is, how the Mariners and Astros fare against the A’s could help decide who represents the division in the postseason.
When assessing what went wrong, individuals will justifiably single out the pitching staff, which for a second straight season failed to pitch effectively during home games at Sutter Health Park. That resulted in the dismissals of pitching coach Scott Emerson and general manager David Forst, while manager Mark Kotsay remains employed for now.
However, the A’s have enjoyed some positives. Top prospects Henry Bolte, Joshua Kuroda-Grauer, Tommy White and Gage Jump have made their MLB debuts, with Bolte and Jump particularly proving they have the ability to be pivotal pieces of the team’s roster moving forward. Right-hander J.T. Ginn emerged as the most consistent member of the club’s starting rotation, while Hogan Harris and Luis Medina became the most reliable members of the below-average bullpen.
Down on the farm, the Athletics’ top two picks of the 2025 MLB Draft, left-handed pitcher Jamie Arnold and outfielder Devin Taylor, showcased their vast potential in their first professional season. Additionally, fellow left-hander Wei-En-Lin’s Double-A dominance earned him a spot among MLB Pipeline’s Top-100 prospects before he suffered season-ending Tommy-John surgery.
Finally, in the low minors, recent international signing Breyson Guedez put his name on the map with a standout first season in the U.S., while this year’s first-round pick, Drew Burress, began his professional journey with a flourish at Single-A Stockton.
Despite all the losing, there remains hope that improved roster construction and better injury luck could help the Green and Gold return to prominence next season. That is, of course, if there is a season. How many games do you think will be missed because of the looming lockout?
A’s Coverage:
- A’s Outlast Mariners 7-4 in Wild Clash
- A’s Escape Texas With A Win, Beat Rangers 9-2
- A’s Designate José Suarez For Assignment
- White exits with back tightness as A’s injury woes continue
- A’s Rally Too Late in 8-5 Loss to Rangers
- Your 2026 Hacktastic A’s
- Athletics Considering James Click For GM Vacancy
- Get the best of Athletics Nation on the new SB Nation app
- How defensive whiz Clarke’s return will impact A’s
- How A’s catcher Bruce Maxwell brought taking a knee to MLB and what happened afterwards
- A’s Plan to Test Top Pitching Prospect Jamie Arnold at Next Level
- Separating The Wheat From The Chaff Not So Easy
- Amidst The Despair: The Position Player Talent Is There
- What Are The Next Steps For The A’s? ($)
- Where Each A’s Player’s Contract Stands Entering Offseason
- Why Athletics Will Have Scary Offense in 2027
- Red-hot Bolte looking to build on lessons from rookie season
- ’Kid has been grinding’: Butler’s resurgence, leadership fuel A’s
- Underdog Athletics prospect Cole Conn playing like a big dog for Aviators
- Behind the Plate, the A’s Face an Offseason Reckoning
- Why The New GM Needs To “Clean House”
- A Seemingly Rock Bottomless Glass
- MLB Trade Grades: A’s Have Quiet Trade Deadline
- This key change(up) could unlock big success for A’s prospect
- Fustercluck 2026: The Real Reasons For A Disappointing Season
MLB News and Interest:
- MLB players on salary cap, CBA talks, potential lockout, more
- 250 for 250: Top 10 individual seasons
- MLB hot seat: Which managers and execs have jobs on the line this month?
- Rookie of the Year races in AL, NL coming to conclusion as favorites pull away
- Cheers, then TWO homers! Rutschman makes memorable Camden return
- New Rays Owner: Stadium Deal Should Lead To Significant Payroll Increase
- Each team’s hottest pitching prospect right now
- Ranking the 10 most impactful Trade Deadline moves, one month later
- Dodgers get Will Smith, Rushing, Wrobleski back from IL
- Mike Trout on ‘needed’ sale of Angels: It’s a ‘fresh start’
- Angels Notes: Stadium, Trout, Front Office
- Rays, Austin Slater Agree To New Minor League Deal
- Today in Baseball History
Best of X:
What do you think of this person’s take? If there is a season next year, which pitcher should the A’s target in free agency this offseason to strengthen their rotation?
Quite the Triple-A introduction for Devin Taylor. His rapid ascent through the minor leagues puts him firmly on the A’s radar as a potential impact call-up next season. Taylor could replace Brent Rooker as the team’s designated hitter, take over one of its corner-outfield spots or even be used as trade bait to acquire a talented pitcher for the Green and Gold.
An impressive turnaround for the southpaw.
