Welcome to Friday Junior everyone!
Firstly, congrats are in order to the Milwaukee Brewers after securing their first championship in team history. They’ve consistently been one of the best teams in the league over the past decade but finally have some hardware to show for it. Now there are only four teams still looking to win their first: Colorado, Seattle, San Diego, and the losers in this series the Tampa Bay Rays. So close.
Now the offseason truly begins for everyone else. With the end of the World
Series comes a five-day clock for free agency to open up. Unlike in other sports there’s not usually a major rush of signings on the first day, and that’s unlikely to change this year. That being said, with a looming lockout just one month and two days away, teams might want to lock in some of their top targets before December 1st to have peace of mind. New A’s President Tyler Smith has some room in the payroll to add. Could we possibly see a quick strike to add a reliever to get a head start on bolstering a beleaguered bullpen? Or are we going to see every front office hold their fire until they know the exact terms of the next CBA?
Along with free agency beginning, it’s time for official decisions regarding option decisions. For the Athletics, they have two options to decide on in the next five days: whether to pick up Jeff McNeil’s $15.75 million option, as well as deciding on starter Jeffrey Springs’ own $15 million option. Both are likely to be declined since neither had good years and are aging veterans. McNeil was one of the better hitters for the team in the second half and there’s a scenario where the A’s could bring him back, but not at that price tag. Springs meanwhile has made it known his fly ball style of pitching isn’t conducive to success at Sutter Health Park and it’s likely this is an easy divorce for both sides.
Then there’s Luis Severino. The right-hander has his own option to decide on, a $22 million deal to stick around in Sacramento for one more year. It’s highly likely he’s going to accept that since there’s no way he’d get more than that on the open market. While he’s been solid during his two years with the Green & Gold, he also missed a lot of the second half with a shoulder injury. Maybe there’s a chance he opts out simply because he’s 33 and wants to compete for the playoffs, but that’s a hefty payday to walk away from.
If things go as expected, McNeil and Springs will hit the free agent market while Sevy signs up for one more go-around with the A’s. The A’s will likely replace McNeil from within someone like Zack Gelof or Joshua Kuroda-Grauer at the keystone. Springs’ spot in the rotation is ripe for an outside addition to reinforce a weak rotation, which would have Sevy, JT Ginn, and likely Gage Jump. So start looking at free agent starters about to hit the open market and imaging which one you’d like on next year’s squad. Here we go folks. The offseason begins. Let’s hope it’s a good one for our A’s.
Have a great Thursday A’s fans.
A’s Coverage:
- 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
- A’s bring in Taylor Smith to run 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!
- Brewers’ William Contreras eighth catcher to earn World Series MVP honors
- How will the Giants resolve their 40-man roster predicament?
- Owner Mark Walter says he’ll keep Dodgers, ‘no matter what’
- Astros Interview Oz Ocampo For Assistant General Manager Role
- Super Two Status Set At 2.133 Years Of Service
- Today in Baseball History
Best of X:
AFL update:
That means we’re better than the Brewers, right?
Could be, but we’ll have to wait and see:
Not especially shocking:
