Yesterday, the Athletics opened their final road-trip of the season with a 2-1 walk-off loss to the Tampa Bay Rays. Despite the tough defeat, right-hander Jack Perkins’ quality start gave the team a positive take away.
With 11 games remaining, time is running out for the A’s to evaluate certain players before the offseason begins. For instance, center fielder Denzel Clarke, who is elite in the field, could pose a challenge to Henry Bolte in center field if he can get his bat to match his glove. Yet,
the A’s will never know whether he has made improvements if manager Mark Kotsay continues to leave him on the bench.
In contrast, fellow outfielder Carlos Cortes has received plenty of at-bats, even with Clarke back. Cortes has not provided enough offense to offset his lack of speed and defensive ability. Rookie infielder Tommy White has similarly struggled to hit enough to make up for his defensive limitations. White has not lived up to his “Tommy Tanks” nickname, recording only two home runs and five doubles in his first 162 major league at-bats.
The Athletics are once again ranked near the bottom of the league in advanced metrics measuring defensive efficiency and runs saved. As a result, the new general manager must work with Kotsay to align the A’s defense in a way that helps, rather than hurts, the pitching staff moving forward.
If the A’s want an example, they should look to fellow small-market teams such as the Tampa Bay Rays and Milwaukee Brewers, two organizations that have used strong pitching and defense to compete with bigger spenders in their respective divisions.
Speaking of those two teams, the fact that they were the first two to clinch playoff spots this season shows that parity exists without a salary cap. The Athletics were in a similar position a few years ago, but now have plenty of work ahead to escape this losing rut and return to playoff contention. The looming offseason lockout could further complicate matters, potentially creating a unique crunch for player movement and free agency.
How should the A’s approach this upcoming offseason? What do you think of MLB’s latest salary-cap and salary-floor proposal?
A’s Coverage:
- Rays Walk-off A’s, 2-1, in Series Opener
- Injuries Out Of Control, But Why?
- No. 2 prospect in baseball De Vries undergoes successful shoulder surgery
- 2027 Infield Landscape Ever Changing
- A’s Win Series, Beat Mariners 8-7
- A’s Walk Off Blue Jays 6-5
- “Fast Movers” Might Be Key To Contention
- What the A’s Hiring Mike Rizzo would Signal and the Questions it Would Raise
- Bi-Polar Performance Arcs Make Evaluation Difficult
- A’s Designate José Suarez For Assignment
- Q&A: Clarke determined to finish strong with A’s after long IL stint
- It’s Been a Bummer Summer in Sacramento
- The A’s valuation rises with sales of 2 MLB clubs as Las Vegas move looms
- Your 2026 Hacktastic A’s
- Athletics Considering James Click For GM Vacancy
- Daejon Love case brings back Eric Byrnes’ bizarre story of an A’s bat boy impersonation
- 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
- 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
- Fustercluck 2026: The Real Reasons For A Disappointing Season
MLB News and Interest:
- VOTE NOW: Here are the 2026 Roberto Clemente Award nominees
- Brewers clinch fourth straight NL Central title, with Miz right in the thick of it
- Who wrote this script?! Alonso slugs HR No. 300 at Citi Field
- On Roberto Clemente Day, MLB has a Puerto Rico problem
- Stock Watch: Biggest 2026 success, disappointment for all 30 MLB teams
- 14 straight! Dodgers tie MLB record for most consecutive playoff clinches
- Edwin Díaz Not Guaranteed Spot On Dodgers’ Playoff Roster
- Luzardo (shoulder) lands on IL in big blow for Phillies; postseason status TBD
- Yankees check first box, head to postseason for third straight season
- Rafael Devers To Undergo Core Surgery
- Terry Francona encouraged by reports of Reds leaders’ return
- Diamondbacks Claim Jesús Sánchez
- Padres win 8th straight, maintain lead over Arizona in Wild Card chase
- PCA joins Hall of Famer Williams with 42nd homer on 4-hit, 4-RBI night
- Peters’ 18-pitch walk keys White Sox’s win vs. Guardians
- Braves Likely To Place Reynaldo López On Injured List
- Today in Baseball History
Best of X:
The A’s AFL Contingent!
Not surprising at all.
What do you think of MLB’s latest economic proposal?
The Athletics search for their next general manger continues to expand.
This is an encouraging sign.
