Elephant Rumblings: Latest roster moves

MLB news roundup

Happy Friday, Athletics Nation!

Keith Law at The Athletic continued with his series of low appraisals of Athletics prospects again yesterday, rating the A’s farm system 27th among the league’s 30 franchises. This low ranking comes on the heels of Law’s exclusion of shortstop Jacob Wilson from his Top 100 Prospects list. Wilson is the A’s No. 1 prospect per MLB Pipeline, who also rank Wilson in the upper half of their Top 100, as does Baseball America. Hopefully, Law will be eating crow soon.

Meanwhile, the A’s made a pair of additions yesterday, with a pair of corresponding DFAs. First, they claimed Pirates righty Elvis Alvarado off waivers.

Alvarado, who turns 26 this February, had some decent results in his first Triple-A stint in the Marlins organization last year, logging a 2.79 ERA and 13.14 K/9 through 48⅓ innings in the upper minors. He clearly has some control issues to work through, having issued walks at a clip of 7.08 per nine innings, but his numbers also suggest ample swing-and-miss potential.

I like this move, and hope that Alvarado will prove to be another shrewd pickup from the Pirates’ scrap heap, just as Osvaldo Bido is shaping up to be. To make move for Alvarado, the A’s DFA’d another recent righty waiver pickup, Anthony Maldonado.

Later in the day, the A’s announced the acquisition of Marlins catcher Jhonny Pereda for cash considerations. The 28-year-old made his MLB debut late last season after hitting well in Triple-A though 459 plate appearances in 2023 and 2024. Kyle McCann has been designated for assignment to clear roster space for Pereda.

McCann got off to a pretty good start in his MLB debut last season, but hit very poorly after the All-Star break with a wRC+ of just 11 through his last 51 plate appearances. Apparently, the A’s saw the need for another option to back up starting catcher Shea Langeliers.

Have a wonderful weekend, AN.

A’s Coverage:

• A’s Add Catcher in Trade With Miami Marlins
• A’s Claim Right-Hander From Pittsburgh Pirates
• Athletics Designate Anthony Maldonado For Assignment
• Did Manfred Suggest He’s Open to Sacramento as an MLB Expansion Location?
• Texas Rangers Sign a Pair of Former A’s

MLB News & Interest:

• MLB 2025 farm system rankings: Keith Law ranks all 30 teams, Mariners are new No. 1 ($)
• Blue Jays To Sign Max Scherzer
• Mets Re-Sign Ryne Stanek
• Posey: Giants “Feel Pretty Set” With Current Roster
• Cubs, Padres Have Discussed Dylan Cease
• Today in Baseball History

Best of X:

Time to feast on the Dodgers’ leavings.