The Oakland Athletics are making significant moves this offseason as they look to bolster their pitching rotation for the upcoming 2025 season. Their latest acquisition involves talented left-handed pitcher Jeffrey Springs from the Tampa Bay Rays. This trade was finalized on Saturday, marking another strategic shift for the Athletics, who have been ramping up efforts to turn their franchise around after moving away from Oakland.
General manager David Forst has openly indicated his commitment to fortifying the team’s pitching staff, especially following the signing of veteran right-hander Luis Severino to a hefty three-year, $67 million deal earlier this month. The deal with the Rays not only brings promising talent to the Athletics but also exemplifies their renewed approach to team building.
According to reports, the deal will see Springs, 32, and fellow left-handed pitcher Jacob Lopez heading to Sacramento, with the Rays receiving right-handers Joe Boyle and Jacob Watters, as well as infielder Will Simpson and the Athletics’ competitive balance draft pick for 2025. This move signals the A's intent to increase payroll and invest more heavily as they transition to their new home.
For the Athletics, acquiring Springs is pivotal. He had previously shown promising results, having achieved impressive statistics with the Rays before undergoing Tommy John surgery in April 2023. During his 2022 breakout season, Springs achieved notable success, recording a 2.46 ERA across 135 and one-third innings, transitioning from relief pitching to being one of the more reliable starters on the roster.
After returning from his surgery, Springs made seven appearances last season, compiling a 3.27 ERA and showcasing his ability to strike out batters effectively, with 37 strikeouts over 33 innings pitched. What's more, his average fastball velocity is expected to rebound as he continues to adjust following his recovery, offering hope for his future performance with the A's.
Forst commented on Springs’ potential, stating, "He obviously has not had much of a workload the last two seasons. I don’t see any reason he couldn’t throw 160-plus innings this year." This optimism is fueled by Springs’ pre-surgery performances and the skill set he brings, particularly his elite changeup and growing arsenal of pitches.
Meanwhile, the Athletics are making headlines not just for their trades but also for how they are reorienting their roster. With the departure of former players and the influx of new talent, the team seems poised to become more competitive. By spending more on key players like Springs and Severino, they are signaling their intent to contend for the postseason.
On the flip side, the Rays are clear about their reasons behind this trade. Tampa Bay is entering the new season with already established starters such as Shane McClanahan and Ryan Pepiot, making Springs somewhat expendable. By trading Springs now, they aim to rid themselves of his impending salary, which is expected to reach $10.5 million annually for the next two seasons, and lean on their abundance of pitching depth.
Joe Boyle, one of the young right-handers heading to Tampa, presents mixed prospects for immediate impact. At 6-foot-7, he brings significant size and potential on the mound but is still grappling with control issues. This could mean Boyle requires developing time as he navigates the challenges at the major league level. His recent performances have shown flashes of brilliance peppered with inconsistency. The Rays, known for their success with developing pitchers, may well help him refine his control.
Another minor leaguer sent to the Rays is Will Simpson, who has shown promise during his time at the minor league level, putting up solid numbers but still with significant uncertainty about his potential transition to the majors. The Competitive Balance pick adds value to the deal, providing the Rays with more options as they seek to build for the future.
Back with the Athletics, their rotation is quickly becoming more stable. With the addition of Springs, the rotation now prominently features Severino and J.P. Sears, reshaping it significantly compared to their last season’s lineup. This secures the starting pitching core, providing the team with reliable pitchers as they approach the competition next season.
Jacob Lopez also arrives with his own assets. Having had limited exposure at the major league level, he holds minor league experience with remarkable stats, including posting impressive strikeouts against left-handed hitters. His ability to be versatile is viewed as it contributes to the A's depth.
With this latest trade, the Athletics signal their readiness to not only compete but also attract more fan interest with meaningful roster improvements. A more stable rotation might help them shake off the struggles of their previous seasons as they gear up to kick-off their inaugural campaign at Sutter Health Park and eventually build toward their future vision of establishing themselves back on the sports map.
Considering the balance of risk and reward, some may question whether Springs can truly bounce back to being the effective starter he once was. The volatility inherent to pitchers—especially those recovering from serious injuries—means it’s wise to temper expectations somewhat. The Athletics, having weighed their options, see Springs as their way forward.
Overall, the upcoming season promises to be one filled with intrigue and anticipation for Athletics fans as they look forward to the new roster filled with the potential of both young talent and seasoned contributors. Actions speak louder than words, and the Athletics are making their intentions clear as they build toward the 2025 campaign.
