The A's are still on the hunt for that crucial mid-rotation starting pitcher, and it’s becoming increasingly pressing as we approach the new season.
Just like many other teams in Major League Baseball, the A's put together a winter wishlist to enhance their performance. Key areas of focus included strengthening the second base position, enhancing their bullpen, and securing contract extensions for their promising young players.
The silver lining here is that the A's have made strides in each of these areas by bringing in Jeff McNeil, Mark Leiter Jr., and finalizing a significant seven-year contract extension for Tyler Soderstrom. However, these improvements—while beneficial—are ranked second, third, and fourth on the team's priority list. The top item was to reinforce the starting rotation, which proved to be a notable weakness during the 2025 season. Addressing this need is essential for the A's to remain competitive in 2026.
Despite numerous trades and free agent signings across MLB targeting starting pitchers, the A's have mostly remained passive while others have been making deals. The market for both top-tier and mid-tier pitching talent has shrunk, but it's not entirely devoid of options.
Free Agent Opportunities Still Available
Currently, two standout free agents, Framber Valdez and Ranger Suarez, are yet to find new contracts. However, I don’t foresee the A's being serious contenders for either player. There’s often a misconception that if a player is unsigned for an extended period, their market value must be declining. In reality, many lucrative contracts are finalized after the calendar flips to a new year. Both Valdez and Suarez will undoubtedly attract teams willing to offer more than what the A's can provide, especially considering they play in stadiums that are more favorable for pitchers.
Yet, there remains some hope for the A's to secure talent from the next tier of pitchers, although it might be a long shot. As more pitchers come off the board, the competitive landscape may shift, and teams with less aggressive bidding might find themselves with options that carry some risk, potentially making them accessible for the A's.
Among the most promising second-tier starters still available is Zac Gallen. He just wrapped up a less-than-stellar season but possesses a commendable career history, plus he showed marked improvement in his performance during the latter half of 2025. Additionally, there’s Chris Bassitt, who will be 37 when the upcoming season starts; nonetheless, he has proven reliable over the years, consistently posting between 2.3 and 2.8 fWAR in each of the last four seasons.
The classification of Lucas Giolito is somewhat ambiguous—whether he belongs in Tier II or III. Last season, he posted a solid 2.0 WAR, and his velocity remained intact throughout 2025. However, his underlying metrics suggest a potential downturn in performance; although he recorded an impressive 3.41 ERA last season, projection models forecast a regression to around 4.69 ERA in 2026.
Potential Trade Targets
Identifying trade targets presents its own set of challenges since teams rarely announce their intentions to offload players until the deal is finalized. It's uncommon for general managers to openly declare, "We’re looking to cash in on him." This offseason complicates matters further, as many teams are actively seeking to add, rather than subtract, starting pitching.
One clear target could be Kris Bubic, who has only one year remaining on his contract. The Kansas City Royals are actively in search of outfield assistance, having made some acquisitions but still facing weaknesses in that area. A trade involving Colby Thomas might gain traction as a possibility.
Another intriguing option could be Pablo Lopez, a talented pitcher known for his effectiveness, although he struggles with injuries. With two years left on his contract and demonstrating clear #2 starter capabilities, Lopez pitches for a Twins team that was quite active in shedding players at the trade deadline. A potential exchange involving promising controllable talents like Braden Nett or Mason Barnett alongside Tommy White could benefit both teams. Some estimates suggest that a Barnett-White combination would be a fair trade for Lopez, while a Nett-White swap could slightly overvalue the A's side. However, it’s important to note that Lopez carries a price tag of $21.5 million annually for 2026 and 2027, so any deal might require the A's to package additional talent along with some financial compensation.
So, are any of these five players viable and appealing targets for the A's? What kind of offers would make sense? Or could there be other candidates that the A's are considering as they deliberate over their remaining options? One thing is clear: the A's are likely to pursue new pitching talent as fortifying their rotation remains an unresolved priority.
With just six weeks until spring training kicks off, something has to happen soon. What do you think the A's should do next?
