The Athletics are starting to put the pieces together. They posted their best record since 2021, and for the first time in years, there’s something that feels like a foundation taking shape.
Their rookie class carried them this season. Brent Rooker, Jacob Wilson, and Nick Kurtz all had solid years, but it was Kurtz who really announced himself.
The slugger hit .290/.383/.619 with 36 home runs and 86 RBIs across 117 games. He just took home AL Rookie of the Year honors while the Braves’ Drake Baldwin won on the NL side.
Now that they’ve got some young talent performing, the A’s need to add the right pieces around them. Starting pitching sits at the top of that list.
There’s plenty of options on the market for 2026 and beyond. But ESPN’s Jeff Passan thinks he knows exactly who they should target if they’re willing to open the checkbook.
“While it’s not in owner John Fisher’s nature to spend on players, bringing in a high-groundball, low-homer southpaw whose stuff would play even in the nightmare pitchers’ environment in Sacramento would be the sort of move that could push the A’s that much closer to their first playoff spot since 2020. Sign free agent left-hander Ranger Suarez.”
Ranger Suarez ranks among the top arms available this winter. It’d be a shock if the A’s actually pulled off this kind of signing, but with their young core performing, maybe it’s time to make the leap.
They haven’t reached the postseason since 2020. Adding a pitcher like Suarez to what they’ve already got could change that narrative entirely.
