Happy Tuesday, A’s fans! I hope everyone enjoyed the three-day weekend.
Spring training in Arizona is in full swing. Yesterday, the team held its first full-squad workout ahead of Saturday’s opener against the Chicago White Sox.
Manager Mark Kotsay said that the A’s will not name a single closer to start the season, relying on a committee as they did successfully after last year’s trade deadline. Spring games will be key for determining who gets early save opportunities, with relievers like Elvis Alvarado, Scott Barlow and Hogan Harris all in the mix.
Third base is another position to watch. Darrell Hernaiz will leave camp to play for Team Puerto Rico in the WBC, giving Max Muncy, Andy Ibanez and Brett Harris more at-bats to vie for the Opening Day start at the hot corner.
Outfield depth will also be tested. Carlos Cortes and Colby Thomas showed flashes last year in their MLB debuts. Because he bats right-handed, Thomas may have a leg up on the fourth outfielder competition. He could start or pinch-hit for left-handed starters Lawrence Butler or Tyler Soderstrom against left-handed pitching. Could both make the roster? Time will tell.
Finally, keep an eye on young pitchers Mason Barnett, JT Ginn, Gunnar Hoglund and Jack Perkins. With the starting rotation mostly set, assuming Jacob Lopez and Luis Morales nab the two open spots, these four may begin at Triple-A unless they earn bullpen roles. Ginn and Perkins already have MLB relief experience, which could give them an edge. However, injuries always seem to occur in spring training, which is why pitching depth is so imperative.
Which players are you most looking forward to watching as games get underway soon? What goals do you have for the A’s as they get through spring training?
A’s Coverage
- A’s Community Prospect List: Baez Takes 13th spot
- Waiting For Gelof: What Do We Do?
- “Relievers Are Volatile”… But Why?
- A’s Trade Mitch Spence to KC Royals in exchange for minor leaguer
- Diamondbacks Claim Grant Holman
- Darrell Hernaiz to play for Team PR in WBC
- Are The Final Two Rotation Spots Really Up For Grabs?
- Story Lines To Watch As Spring Training Unfolds
- A’s Sign Starter Aaron Civale
- Athletics add developmental leaguer in trade with Yankees
- Little Signings Everywhere
- A’s Non-Roster Invites to Keep an Eye On
- A’s prospect Jump impressing in first big league camp
- What to know as A’s head to spring camp with high hopes for ‘26
- A’s Claim Andy Ibanez, Add Scott Barlow In Busy Roster Shuffle
- Extensions For Everyone! (Except Kurtz)
- Managers & Top Front Office Executives On Expiring Contract
- De Vries (No. 4 overall) leads Athletics trio on Top 100 Prospects lists
MLB News and Interest:
- Steven Cohen: Mets will never have captain while I own team
- Diamondbacks sign veteran starter Zac Gallen to one-year contract
- Cubs ink reliever Shelby Miller to one-year pact
- Padres signing free-agent pitchers Griffin Canning and Germàn Marquez
- Brewers Sign Luis Rengifo
- Bryce Harper addresses comments Dombrowski made about him
- Machaco embraces Dodgers’ big spending ways
- Rays generating interest in lefty reliever Garrett Cleavinger
- Boone: No restrictions for Judge this spring
- Castellanos embracing move to first base with Padres
- Roki Sasaki working on 3rd pitch
- A.J. Preller agrees to multiyear extension with Padres
- MLB TV strike zone box won’t indicate whether pitch is ball or strike due to ABS system
- Today in Baseball History
Best of X
Out of all the A’s starting pitching options, who do you think will be the team’s most reliable pitcher this season?
A’s future looks promising! First glimpse at Leo De Vries (El Mutante) and Jamie Arnold in an A’s uniform.
Nick Kurtz looks ready for the season to start. How many home runs do you think the A’s first baseman will hit this year?