Morning everyone!
The Athletics’ season has been a failure from a win/loss point of view. At 63-75 the playoffs have long been out the window and the players will be at home watching the postseason on their couch like the rest of us shlubs. The first year in Sacramento did not yield a surprise postseason contender as the club instead suffered through low attendance figures that dwindled even further as the season went on and the team tumbled in the standings. Still, the offseason is coming and we’re
all going to miss baseball in a few weeks’ time so enjoy the final month of the season while you can.
For all the problems off the field there has been progress in the rebuild. The club has welcomed two young core players to the big league roster in Jacob Wilson and Nick Kurtz. Both would be deserving of the Rookie of the Year honors in most other years but only one (Kurtz) can win. And they’re only rookies! Then you have catcher Shea Langeliers continuing to improve in just about every aspect of his game, both in the batter’s box and behind the plate. Brent Rooker continues to mash at an All-Star level and there’s still untapped potential in Lawrence Butler, who should be joining the 20-20 club soon. That’s a heck of a start if you’re building a playoff contender.
There is still plenty of areas the team needs to improve upon this offseason if they want to accelerate this rebuild. The offense is more or less set with the core in place. The name of the game has got to be pitching, pitching, pitching from here on out. The club got a start with the selection of lefty Jamie Arnold with their first round pick and he should be a quick riser but the club needs more out of the young options they’ve got right now.
Arms like Luis Morales, JT Ginn, Jack Perkins and others have the rest of the season to prove they belong in the starting rotation. September has a knack for sticking in people’s minds over the long offseason and the coaching staff is no different. Developing these young arms and getting at least one sure-fire starter out of them has got to be the priority the rest of the way. The offense will be fine. Just focus on the pitching.
Anyway, the A’s continue their series with the Cardinals later tonight, with first pitch set for 4:45 Pacific. Have a great rest of your day everyone!
A’s Coverage:
- Athletics Blow Out Cardinals 11-3
- Three Things To Watch For The Athletics In September
- A’s roster moves: Severino activated, McGough selected
- Standouts From A’s Hot Month of August
- A’s Swept By Rangers, Fall In Finale 9-6
- Biggest Threat To 2026 Contention: Soft Tissue Blues?
- Barnett flashes power and command in MLB debut
MLB News & Interest:
- Dodgers sign left-handed veteran Andrew Heaney, will be playoff eligible
- Cubs demote top prospect Owen Caissie back to Triple-A
- Mariners set to promote top catching prospect Harry Ford
- Braves claim infielder Ha-Seong Kim off waivers from Rays
- Marlins place starting pitcher Edwin Cabrera on IL with elbow sprain
- Astros designate former A’s first round pick Logan Davidson for assignment
- Fictitious ending? Story fly hits glove, pole for home run
- Today in Baseball History
Best of X:
Manager Mark Kotsay spoke about Luis Morales yesterday:
Keep an eye on the lineup to see if ‘Bangeliers’ is back tonight:
