Elephant Rumblings: Projecting the A’s payroll-boosted 2025 roster

MLB news roundup

Happy Wednesday, Athletics Nation!

A’s pitchers and catchers report today! This marks the beginning of Spring Training, with the A’s first preseason game coming up against the Padres on February 22. If you’re interested in heading down to Mesa for some Cactus League action, you can purchase your tickets now.

Many A’s fans—like myself—are dispirited about the team’s departure from its home of 57 seasons in Oakland. But many are excited that the A’s have had a busy offseason, making substantial improvements to their roster with uncharacteristic moves like the free agent signing of Luis Severino for a franchise record sum and the five-year extension of top slugger Brent Rooker.

Ken Rosenthal at The Athletic noted that the A’s have seen the fourth largest payroll jump among MLB franchises so far this offseason, with growth of 17 percent. That’s well below the Orioles’ 56 percent increase, but at least the A’s aren’t cutting payroll, especially not so drastically as the White Sox, who seem to think that a 47 percent payroll cut is the way forward after setting a modern era MLB record of 121 losses in 2024.

MLB has new roster projections out for every team that lays out a pretty solid Opening Day lineup and starting rotation for the A’s via Martin Gallegos:

Lineup

1. Lawrence Butler, RF

2. Brent Rooker, LF

3. JJ Bleday, CF

4. Shea Langeliers, C

5. Tyler Soderstrom, 1B

6. Miguel Andujar, DH

7. Zack Gelof, 2B

8. Gio Urshela, 3B

9. Jacob Wilson, SS

Rotation

1. Luis Severino, RHP

2. JP Sears, LHP

3. Osvaldo Bido, RHP

4. Jeffrey Springs, LHP

5. Joey Estes, RHP

Gallegos notes that Rooker and Seth Brown may also rotate through the DH spot, while Estes may see some competition in Spring Training from Mitch Spence, J.T. Ginn and Hogan Harris for the fifth rotation spot. You really can’t have too much rotation depth, after all—well, maybe the Dodgers can.

The lineup looks pretty set to me, though prospects will surely vie to move up the depth chart with strong Spring Training performances. Of course, more roster moves are still possible, but I wouldn’t expect much at this point. I would, however, expect Jacob Wilson to move up the batting order in fairly short order if he progresses as he should.

So, AN: what do you think about Gallegos’ projections? Are there any worrisome holes that the A’s should move to plug? Any issues with the rotation picture? The bullpen isn’t considered here—any glaring deficiencies to address? Get it off your chest in the comments!

A’s Coverage:

• Athletics Community Prospect List: JT Ginn takes 12th spot
• 3 hot topics A’s are bringing to Spring Training
• Will Darell Hernaiz Break Camp With The A’s?
• Jose Canseco Bringing the Bash to Fans Fest
• Atlanta Braves to Sign Former Lights Out A’s Reliever

MLB News & Interest:

• Every team’s projected 2025 Opening Day lineup, rotation
• The teams with the biggest jumps (and declines) in payroll in 2025, plus more MLB notes ($)
• Dodgers To Re-Sign Clayton Kershaw
• Dodgers To Re-Sign Enrique Hernandez
• Angels To Sign Kenley Jansen
• A list of every MLB team’s top 20 prospects for 2025 by division ($)
• Royals Hire Ned Yost As Senior Advisor
• Twins To Sign Ty France
• Today in Baseball History

Best of X:

Latest minor league signing.

New A’s doc premiering soon!

Ah, the 1980 wax packs. First year I started buying them. I wonder where the Rickey rookie card I pulled is today.