Athletics’ Pitching Rotation: Key Options for 2025 Season



The Oakland Athletics have had an offseason filled with tough decisions and an emphasis on restructuring their pitching rotation. With JP Sears as the lone consistent arm heading into 2024, the front office has worked to bring in reinforcements with the signings of Luis Severino and Jeffrey Springs.

These moves address some pressing needs but also come with risks, leaving gaps that may still need to be filled as spring training approaches.

Let’s take a closer look at how the A’s pitching staff is shaping up and what options remain on the table.

Key Additions: Severino and Springs Bring Talent and Risk

The most significant move by the Athletics this offseason was signing Luis Severino to a three-year, $67 million deal.

Known for his electric stuff, Severino has experienced injuries in recent years, which makes his addition both exciting and precarious.

When healthy, Severino has the potential to be a top-of-the-rotation arm. However, his availability remains a question mark, requiring strategic management of his workload.

Another notable acquisition was Jeffrey Springs, who was brought in via a trade with the Tampa Bay Rays.

Springs has quietly been one of the more effective pitchers in baseball from 2021 to 2024, posting ace-caliber numbers during that timeframe.

Like Severino, however, Springs also comes with durability concerns.

If these two pitchers can stay on the field, they instantly elevate the A’s rotation to a new competitive level.

Why Depth Remains an Issue

While adding Severino and Springs is a step in the right direction, the A’s rotation remains thin. Injuries could derail the team’s plans, which is why depth arms are so crucial.

General Manager David Forst has publicly indicated his interest in bolstering the rotation even further, though no major additions have been made since the initial moves earlier in the offseason.

Currently, the A’s have some internal options to fill out the back end of their rotation.

Mitch Spence, a Rule 5 Draft pick who performed reasonably well during the 2024 season with a 4.58 ERA in 151 1/3 innings, has emerged as a potential candidate.

However, Spence’s performance, while steady, doesn’t project him as a surefire solution at the Major League level.

Internal Options and Pipeline Arms

Beyond Spence, the Athletics have a collection of promising but largely unproven young arms.

Among those in contention to make an impact are:

• Ryan Cusick: A hard-throwing prospect who may be better suited for a bullpen role.
• Joey Estes: A potential starter with upside but likely to begin in the minors.
• J.T. Ginn: Still recovering from injury setbacks and needs more seasoning.
• Gunnar Hoglund: Viewed as a high-ceiling prospect but far from MLB-ready.

Additionally, the team’s 40-man roster includes names like Brady Basso, Osvaldo Bido, Jacob Lopez, and Hogan Harris.

While each of these pitchers could find opportunities during the season, none currently stand out as reliable rotation options.

Prospects Mason Barnett and Jack Perkins bring intrigue but aren’t likely to make a big-league impact in 2024.

The Need for Experience

Given the uncertain state of their pitching staff, the Athletics would benefit from bringing in a veteran starter to stabilize the rotation.

Adding a proven arm could lessen the burden on their youngsters and provide insurance against injuries to key contributors.

Remaining Options in Free Agency and the Trade Market

Forst and the A’s front office still have avenues available to improve the rotation.

In free agency, pitchers like Andrew Heaney and Kyle Gibson remain unsigned.

Each would provide the type of stability and innings-eating ability the A’s desperately need.

Heaney offers strikeout potential and versatility, while Gibson’s durability is an asset for a team looking to shore up its depth.

The trade route could also be a means to bolster the staff.

Two intriguing names are Chicago’s Marcus Stroman and Texas’s Jordan Montgomery.

Stroman is known for his ground-ball-heavy approach, which would fit well in the spacious Oakland Coliseum, while Montgomery’s left-handed dominance would balance out a right-heavy rotation.

A Difficult Yet Crucial Decision

The Athletics find themselves at a crossroads. While their offseason acquisitions offer promise, the need for additional pitching depth remains apparent.

Adding a veteran arm could be the difference between competing in 2024 or enduring another challenging season.

With free agents still available and trade opportunities on the horizon, all eyes are on David Forst as he looks to solidify the A’s pitching staff before Opening Day.

 
Here is the source article for this story: The Athletics’ Rotation Options