Elephant Rumblings: Projecting the A’s next acquisition

MLB news roundup

Happy Wednesday, Athletics Nation!

The A’s are expected to spend at least $105 million on payroll this year to avoid a grievance from the MLBPA, and with this week’s announced extension of top slugger Brent Rooker, they have about $8 million left to play with.

Dylan Quinn at SI.com notes that the A’s are in need of a good lefty reliever, and suggests that one of the most obvious options is free agent and familiar face Scott Alexander. The 35-year-old pitched well for the A’s in 2024, serving as a somewhat higher leverage companion to fellow 35-year-old lefty T.J. McFarland, whom the A’s have already signed for the coming season.

If the A’s can bring Alexander back on a deal similar to last year’s one-year, $2.25 million contract, it would fortify the bullpen and leave a bit of money to spare for another reliever, a buy-low starting pitcher, or perhaps someone to provide more depth in a defensively weak outfield.

Quinn also suggests Tim Hill and Ryan Yarbrough as potential targets with higher ceilings; both made big comebacks in 2024.

Assuming the A’s won’t spend much beyond that $105m target, let’s put on our front office caps and discuss how the A’s should round out their roster for 2025. Would you bring Alexander back and make a couple more small moves, or make a stretch and go after another starter such as Jordan Montgomery and then fill out the bullpen with in-house options? Perhaps you have something altogether different in mind. Sound off below!

A’s Coverage:

• Rooker Extension Not A Slam Dunk, But Still A Lay Up
• Athletics 2024 Season In Review: Shea Langeliers
• Who Can Fill The A’s Vacancy at Left-Handed Pitcher?
• The Opener: Athletics, Relief Market, MLBTR Chat
• Checking In On A’s Players in the Dominican Winter League

MLB News & Interest:

• Giants To Sign Justin Verlander
• What to make of the Braves’ slow offseason so far, plus more MLB notes ($)
• MLB All-Free-Agent-Team v. 2.0: Options are dwindling in middle infield, top of rotation ($)
• MLB contenders’ weak spots: The 15 biggest roster holes and what can be done to fill them ($)
• Yankees Shopping Marcus Stroman
• Rangers Sign Chris Martin
• Today in Baseball History

Best of X:

Congrats, Ken!

A nod for Cavnar.