Elephant Rumblings: Not done adding?

MLB news roundup

Good morning A’s fans!

The Athletics have been busy this offseason, spending money and making trades in an effort to add talent and boost payroll as the club moves to Sacramento. The club gave right-handed starting pitcher Luis Severino a record-breaking contract and the team added Jeffrey Springs’ deal to the ledger. The club also gave third baseman Gio Urshela a modest contract to help solidify third base. The club is looking a lot better today than it did on the last day of the 2024 season.

Most fans would say it’s been a good haul for the club as they attempt to start winning again soon. Even with the additions though, the club is apparently still looking to add more to the roster, per general manager David Forst:

That bit of news was from Brent Rooker’s contract extension signing. If we’re to take Forst at his word then the club may yet not be completely done adding to the roster. And with most of the positions filled up it makes sense that the team would want to add even more pitching. You can truly never have enough pitching. As of right now the team has Severino, Springs, JP Sears, Mitch Spence, Joey Estes and Osvaldo Bido as starting options. Not a bad group but it’s easy to see how fast injuries or ineffectiveness can strain that group.

If the team is indeed interested in adding more to the starting pitching depth then it might make more sense to go the trade route. Many of the top free agent starters have already signed. The team could try to lure someone like Lance Lynn Kyle Gibson to help solidify the back-end of the rotation while pushing other younger options back down the pecking order. The trade market has some expensive arms that teams want to get off their books. Players like Marcus Stroman or Jordan Montgomery could find their way to Sacramento if the A’s are interested and willing to take on some salary.

The team could also always add to the bullpen, which besides closer Mason Miller is also young and inexperienced. There’s no way the team would consider taking Miller out of the role so they’re unlikely to target closers like Kenley Janson or Tanner Scott. They could look at former closers like Kirby Yates or Carlos Estevez to help beef up the late-game options for manager Mark Kotsay. Like with starting pitching, you can never have enough bullpen arms, and you better stock up on plenty of them while you can. If Forst is serious about adding just a couple more pieces, you can expect it to be pitching, pitching, pitching. That’s what will help this team the most in 2025.

So keep an eye out for another move or two any day now. Have a great Tuesday everyone!

A’s Coverage:

• Osvaldo Bido is the Most Underrated A’s Starter Heading into 2025
• Who Will Be The Next A’s Player To Get A Contract Extension?
• Twins sign former Athletic Armando Alvarez
• Columnist rips A’s owner for ‘Reign of Error’

MLB News & Interest:

• Roki Sasaki narrows list to Dodgers, Padres, Blue Jays
• Mariners add Donovan Solano on 1-year deal
• Dom Smith signs with Yankees on minor league deal
• Braves walked away from Jeff Hoffman deal after failed physical
• MLB bans two Yankee fans who interfered with Mookie Betts for life
• Reds games to air on FanDuel Sports Network
• Everything you need to know ahead of Wednesday’s International Signing Day
• Today in Baseball History

Best of X:

Rook on leadership:

We’ve all known this for a while now...

Verlander and Melvin in the same clubhouse: