Athletics Nation
An SB Nation blog for Oakland Athletics fans
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Taylor Smith’s Improbable Quest: A Quality SP
The Athletics’ front office is scouting affordable starting‑pitching options for a 2027 push, eyeing either a trade or a low‑cost free‑agent deal. Candidates include Red Sox right‑hander Brayan Bello, whose 2026 turnaround yielded a 2.12 ERA and a sinker that generates 52.6% ground balls, and Tampa Bay’s Drew Rasmussen, a potential #1 starter whose 2027 salary spikes to $20 M and may be available via trade. Both fit Oakland’s budget constraints—Bello at roughly $12 M a year on a four‑year pact, Rasmussen potentially fetchable with savvy asset swapping—offering the A’s a quality SP without over‑extending their payroll.
Athletics Decline Club Options On Jeff McNeil, Jeffrey Springs
The Oakland Athletics have officially declined the 2027 club options for infielder Jeff McNeil and left‑handed starter Jeffrey Springs, making both veterans unrestricted free agents. Both players were owed over $15 million after under‑whelming 2026 seasons—McNeil posted a .264/.313/.368 line with nine homers, while Springs surrendered 35 home runs, 23 at Sutter Health Park, despite leading the team in starts (29) and innings (142.2). The moves clear roster space for younger talent, while the A’s await confirmation on Luis Severino’s $22 million option for 2027.
Elephant Rumblings: A’s Already Active This Offseason
The Oakland Athletics jump-start their offseason with a trade that sends 29‑year‑old Nate Eaton from the Red Sox for 18‑year‑old Dominican pitcher Jareth Rayo. Eaton, a versatile outfielder/third‑baseman with elite speed and arm strength, joins an A’s roster that may see Denzel Clarke and Carlos Cortes reassigned to Triple‑A. New president of baseball operations Taylor Smith, who just arrived from Boston, promises further moves as teams brace for a possible lockout on Dec. 1. The article also notes the Brewers’ first World Series parade and outlines upcoming roster decisions for Oakland.
Elephant Rumblings: Start The Clock On The Athletics’ Offseason
With the Brewers clinching their first championship, the MLB offseason officially kicks off and the Athletics face crucial roster decisions. A five‑day free‑agency clock starts now, but a looming lockout may prompt teams to lock in targets before Dec. 1. Oakland must decide on two $15‑$15.75 M player options—Jeff McNeil and pitcher Jeffrey Springs—both likely to be declined, while right‑hander Luis Severino’s $22 M option is expected to be exercised. The A’s have payroll flexibility to add a reliever and will need to replace McNeil and Springs, eyeing internal talent like Zack Gelof and external starters. The article outlines these moves and the broader offseason landscape for A’s fans.
World Series Game 5 Thread
Game 5 of the 2026 World Series pits the Milwaukee Brewers against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field on Oct. 28. After the Rays survived an extra‑inning elimination game, both clubs face must‑win situations. The Brewers start Cy Young hopeful Jacob Misiorowski (16‑5, 1.80 ERA), while the Rays counter with Drew Rasmussen (16‑5, 2.67 ERA) looking for redemption after a rough Game 2 start. With the series hanging in the balance, a win for either side could clinch the championship or extend what may become the greatest comeback in World Series history.
Elephant Rumblings: World Series Marches On as Offseason Approaches
Game 4 of the World Series delivers an extra‑inning drama as Brewers rookie Cooper Pratt’s solo homer gives a 3‑2 lead, only for the Rays to rally with two runs in the bottom of the 12th, tying the series for a decisive Game 5 tonight at 5 p.m. PT. Meanwhile, MLB faces a possible lockout starting Dec. 1 over a salary‑cap debate, threatening a delayed 2027 season and limiting offseason transactions. The Athletics, constrained by payroll, are unlikely to chase elite left‑hander Tarik Skubal but may target free‑agent arms like Clay Holmes or Nick Martinez, or seek trades under new president of baseball operations Taylor Smith. Fans are urged to enjoy the showdown before the looming offseason lull.
World Series Game 4 Thread
The Milwaukee Brewers lead the 2026 World Series 3-0 after a dominant 10-1 win over the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field, putting them one game away from a historic sweep. Left‑hander Robert Gasser tossed six scoreless innings, while the offense exploded for eight runs in the fifth. The Rays, facing an impossible 0‑3 deficit, must win Game 4 behind right‑hander Griffin Jax, who struggled earlier in the postseason, to stay alive. Brewers’ right‑hander Dustin May is slated to open, possibly followed by Shane Drohan. A win would make the Brewers the first team since the 1976 Reds to sweep both the NLCS and World Series.
Elephant Rumblings: A’s Max Muncy Undergoes Knee Surgery
Max Muncy undergoes a left‑knee debridement to repair damaged cartilage, with a 6‑8‑week recovery expected ahead of Spring Training. The 24‑year‑old, a former first‑round pick, posted a .230/.296/.387 line with nine homers and -1.2 WAR in 2026, struggling both offensively and defensively at third base. The small surgery gives him a chance to rebound before his final option year, but his role with the A’s remains uncertain. Meanwhile, the Brewers lead the World Series 3‑0 as the offseason looms for Oakland.
World Series Game 3 Thread
The World Series shifts to Tampa Bay for Game 3 as the Brewers, up 2-0, look to clinch a historic title while the Rays face elimination. Tampa's ace acquisition Freddy Peralta (5-2, 3.25 ERA) makes his biggest start, aiming to stifle Milwaukee's potent lineup. Milwaukee counters with rookie left‑hander Robert Gasser (5-5, 3.87 ERA), who has allowed just one earned run in two postseason outings and could push the Brewers to a 3‑0 series lead. Both teams have posted their starting lineups, and the matchup promises a must‑win showdown.
Elephant Rumblings: World Series Continues Tonight
The Milwaukee Brewers lead the 2026 World Series 2-0 and aim to clinch tonight's Game 3 against the Tampa Bay Rays. Veteran right‑hander Freddy Peralta starts for Tampa Bay, while rookie lefty Robert Gasser makes his third postseason start for Milwaukee. A win would give the Brewers their first championship, and runs are expected to be scarce. The article also notes the Oakland A’s hiring Taylor Smith as president of baseball operations and hints at possible offseason lockout concerns.
World Series Game 2 Thread
The Milwaukee Brewers, celebrating their first World Series appearance in 44 years, aim to extend their 3-2 win over the Tampa Bay Rays with a Game 2 victory tonight at American Family Field. Rays ace Drew Rasmussen (16-5, 2.67 ERA) returns to face his former club, boasting a 2-0 postseason record and a 1.29 ERA. Milwaukee counters with rookie right‑hander Logan Henderson (11-3, 2.47 ERA), who has won every start at home but struggled in the NLCS. Both teams seek a crucial win as the series shifts to a 2‑0 lead or a tie.
Optics vs. Infrastructure: Taylor Smith’s First Dilemma
The article examines the dilemma facing new Athletics President of Baseball Operations Taylor Smith: should he prioritize high‑profile roster moves that offer immediate optics, like signing a pitcher such as Drew Rasmussen, or focus on behind‑the‑scenes infrastructure—analytics tools, scout hires, and player‑development upgrades—to close the A’s data gap? While early visible moves could win fan approval, Smith’s long‑term success may hinge on reshaping talent identification and boosting existing prospects like Luis Morales and Luis Medina. With the transaction window opening after the World Series, the piece predicts most of Smith’s impactful work will unfold quietly in November, setting the stage for a competitive 2027 roster.
World Series Game 1 Thread
The 2026 World Series kicks off tonight at Milwaukee’s American Family Field as the Tampa Bay Rays face the Brewers. The Rays start right‑hander Nick Martinez (15‑6, 3.10 ERA) while Milwaukee counters with ace Jacob Misiorowski (16‑5, 1.80 ERA), the NL Cy Young frontrunner. Both clubs line up their opening rosters, each hoping to claim their first championship. Game 1 begins at 5:00 PST on October 22, and the winner will take a crucial step toward a historic title.
Elephant Rumblings: Crucial Offseason Looms for the A’s
The Athletics face a decisive offseason as new president of baseball operations Taylor Smith, a data‑driven strategist, aims to revamp a struggling pitching staff and upgrade the roster before the team moves from Sutter Health Park to a $2.1 billion Las Vegas ballpark. Smith’s plan mirrors the successful Moneyball models of the Milwaukee Brewers and Tampa Bay Rays, leveraging scouting, analytics, and smart free‑agent moves or trades—potentially targeting prospects like Jamie Arnold, Wei‑En Lin, or veteran arms such as Jack Perkins and Jacob Lopez. With manager Mark Kotsay’s future on the line, the 2027 season could mark a turning point for the historic club.
Elephant Rumblings: Kotsay Staying Put?
The Oakland Athletics confirm that manager Mark Kotsay’s job is secure—for now—after new President of Baseball Operations Taylor Smith announced he’ll be hiring a GM and held a dinner with Kotsay in Las Vegas. Smith’s comments suggest a collaborative partnership, hinting no immediate dugout overhaul despite speculation surrounding the upcoming front‑office reshuffle. The article also notes the approaching World Series between the Milwaukee Brewers and Tampa Bay Rays and lists several A’s offseason topics, from the Las Vegas ballpark budget to prospect updates, but the central news is Kotsay’s continued tenure under the new leadership.
Elephant Rumblings: Midweek Update
The midweek update highlights the 2026 World Series showdown between NL champion Milwaukee Brewers and AL champion Tampa Bay Rays, set to begin Friday in Milwaukee. It notes the Athletics' recent hire of former Rays exec Taylor Smith as president of baseball operations and outlines the A’s off‑season challenges: adding pitching, navigating a possible Dec. 1 lockout, and deciding whether to pursue free agents like Clay Holmes or trade surplus hitters such as Zack Gelof and Shea Langeliers. The piece also mentions other front‑office moves, upcoming free‑agent timing, and the A’s quest to climb from last to first in the AL West.
On New PBO Taylor Smith: What’s In A Number?
Oakland Athletics appoint 31‑year‑old Taylor Smith as their new President of Baseball Operations, making him the youngest PBO in MLB history. Smith brings nine seasons of front‑office experience, including seven with the data‑driven Tampa Bay Rays and two with the Red Sox. The A’s have left the general manager role open, potentially placing a veteran GM under Smith—a rare hierarchy that could see 48‑year‑old former Rays GM James Click reporting to him. The hire sparks debate over age versus experience in modern baseball analytics.
Elephant Rumblings: Welcome Aboard, Taylor Smith!
The Oakland Athletics have appointed 31‑year‑old former Red Sox assistant GM Taylor Smith as their new head of baseball operations, making him the youngest front‑office leader in MLB. Smith will immediately begin building his staff, likely pulling in familiar faces from Boston and Tampa Bay and deciding whether to retain long‑time A’s executive Billy Owen and manager Mark Kotsay, who is under contract through 2028. With a solid core left by outgoing GM David Forst, Smith faces key roster moves, including a potential trade of catcher Shea Langeliers and a major bullpen overhaul, while focusing on bolstering the rotation and developing prospects like Jacob Lopez and Jamie Arnold as the A’s transition to their new Las Vegas ballpark.
League Championship Series Day Nine Game Thread
The Tampa Bay Rays head into Game 6 of the ALCS with a chance to clinch their third American League pennant, one win away from the World Series against the Milwaukee Brewers. After splitting the first two games in Tampa and taking two of three in Cleveland, the Rays aim to secure the series at Progressive Field. Freddy Peralta, the September AL Pitcher of the Month, makes his third ALCS appearance, while the Guardians opt for a bullpen game with Shawn Armstrong opening and Gavin Williams saved for a possible Game 7. The winner advances, leaving the Brewers waiting to learn their opponent.
Athletics Hire Taylor Smith As Next President of Baseball Operations
The Oakland Athletics announce the hiring of former Red Sox assistant GM Taylor Smith as President of Baseball Operations. Smith, a former Rays analyst turned director of predictive marketing and Boston's analytics lieutenant, steps in after the organization rejected Sam Fuld. At just over 30, Smith brings fresh, data‑driven ideas but limited front‑office experience. He inherits a roster with strong position players but a struggling pitching staff, and must assemble his own front office before deciding on the future of manager Mark Kotsay, who is under contract through 2028. The move marks the A’s first outside hire in decades as they prepare for the upcoming offseason.
Elephant Rumblings: ALCS Game 6 Tonight; Still Waiting For A GM
The Tampa Bay Rays, now one win away from the World Series, head into Game 6 of the ALCS against the Cleveland Guardians, who must win two straight on the road to stay alive after squandering a home‑field advantage. Meanwhile, Oakland Athletics fans wait anxiously for a new front‑office leader as the club juggles a GM search—candidates include Red Sox assistant Taylor Smith, former Phillies president Sam Fuld, and others—while preparing for its upcoming Las Vegas ballpark. The article ties the high‑stakes ALCS drama to the Athletics’ offseason decisions, highlighting the urgency to name a GM before the World Series concludes.
League Championship Series Day Eight Game Thread
The ALCS is tied 2-2 as Game 5 looms at Progressive Field. Tampa Bay sends ace right‑hander Drew Rasmussen (16‑5, 2.67 ERA) against Cleveland rookie left‑hander Parker Messick (12‑9, 2.56 ERA), who makes his fourth postseason start. A win puts the victor on the road to the World Series, while a loss forces the Guardians into a 3‑2 deficit heading back to Tampa. Historical data shows Game 5 winners capture the series 67% of the time, and teams leading 3‑2 at home win 74% of those matchups. The high‑stakes showdown kicks off at 2:08 PM PST.
League Championship Series Day Seven Game Thread
After the weather didn’t cooperate yesterday the Guardians and Rays are ready for another try to get Game Four of the ALCS in this evening. Tonight isn’t an absolute must-win game for the Rays but it’s pretty close. They’ll need to steal one either tonight or tomorrow in Cleveland if they want to force this […]
Let’s Hope The Next A’s GM and PBO Are Watching
The post-season is always a blend of exciting and frustrating. Exciting to see games with so much riding on every pitch and to see some of the best teams strut their talent. Frustrating that the A’s are not one of those teams and to reflect on the gap between how the best teams play and […]
League Championship Series Day Six Game Thread
On Thursday, the Milwaukee Brewers completed a four-game sweep of the two-time defending champion Los Angeles Dodgers, clinching the team’s first National League pennant and first World Series appearance in 44 years. According to MLB, Milwaukee became the first team to sweep an opponent in a postseason series one year after that same opponent swept […]
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