Athletics: Breaking News, Rumors & Highlights

Athletics rumors: A’s have had contract extension discussions with their ‘younger players’

The Athletics are generating offseason buzz as emerging contract extension discussions signal a clear shift in organizational philosophy. Conversations surrounding the club’s young core, long-term roster outlook, and rebuild strategy point toward a commitment to continuity rather than the short-term turnover that has defined past eras.

Features

The Morning Bark

The Quiz of the Day

Reds To Sign Caleb Ferguson

The Reds are reportedly in agreement with reliever Caleb Ferguson on a one-year contract, pending a physical. Salary terms for the Excel Sports Management client have not been reported.

Athletics News / Athlon Sports / December 16

MLB's Highest-Paid Designated Hitters for 2026 season

The Pittsburgh Pirates made an offer. The Baltimore Orioles, Cincinnati Reds and several other teams were interested in Kyle Schwarber's services. But it was the Philadelphia Phillies who won the bidding war for the fan favorite to return to the City of Brotherly Love.

Athletics News / Oakland Athletics on SI / December 16

A's Release Former Chicago White Sox Lefty

The A's don't have a ton of left-handed options in their current bullpen mix, with Hogan Harris looking like the main option for the green and gold from the left side, and Brady Basso potentially serving as the second option in the big leagues.

Philadelphia Phillies News / Yardbarker Quizzes

The 'Active MLB home run leaders' quiz

How many of the most prolific power hitters in baseball today can you name in 5 minutes?

The 'Last 40-home-run season by MLB team' quiz

The 'MLB All-Star Game MVPs' quiz

The '50-home-run MLB seasons' quiz

Willie MacIver News / Athletics Nation / December 16

2025 Athletics Season In Review: Willie MacIver

Season In Review continues on this fine Tuesday and today’s player we reminisce on will be backup catcher Willie MacIver. The backstop was finally able to make his big league debut this past season, serving as primary starter Shea Langeliers’ backup How was he acquired?

Athletics News / Yardbarker

25 MLB players on the brink of stardom in 2026

The stars were out in full force during the 2025 World Series. From Max Scherzer in Toronto to Freddie Freeman, Mookie Betts, and of course, Shohei Ohtani, in Los Angeles, there was no shortage of the game's best under the brightest lights.

Athletics News / Athlon Sports / December 16

Cincinnati Reds Make Historic Announcement Amid MLB Offseason

Aaron Harang, Brandon Phillips, Lou Piniella, and Reggie Sanders have all been selected to the Cincinnati Reds Hall of Fame, the team announced on Tuesday.

Athletics News / Oakland Athletics on SI / December 16

Former A's Pitcher DFA'd by Atlanta Braves After a Week with Club

The MLB offseason is a time for plenty of moves to be made, and at times those moves come quickly. Last week during the Rule 5 Draft, the A's lost former first-round pick Daniel Susac to the Minnesota Twins, only for him to be traded to the San Francisco Giants.

Athletics News / Oakland Athletics on SI / December 15

A's One of Five Teams on Key Player's No-Trade List

The Athletics could use an upgrade at second base this winter, with Zack Gelof's injury timeline up in the air. They have some incumbent options like Darell Hernaiz and Max Muncy, and each is also in the mix as an option at third base as well.

Athletics News / MLB on ClutchPoints / December 15

2026 MLB Power Rankings, Vol. 1: Winter Meetings fallout

Less than two months after the Los Angeles Dodgers won their second consecutive World Series, we are back. The Winter Meetings provided enough to chew on, especially with Pete Alonso leaving the New York Mets and joining the Baltimore Orioles.

Athletics News / Oakland Athletics on SI / December 14

Could This Former Chicago Cubs Pitcher Make Sense For The A's?

In their pursuit of pitching, the A's will more than likely have to get creative to lure free agents to Sacramento. Adding to their pitching staff via the trade market is the route of least resistance, while not having to convince a player to sign with the club would be ideal.

Athletics News / Oakland Athletics on SI / December 14

A's Take Chance on Interesting Former Arizona Diamondbacks Prospect

With the winter meetings earlier this week, there has been plenty of stuff to talk about, from the draft lottery, to the A's pick in the big-league portion of the Rule 5 Draft, the subsequent trade, and then the signing of veteran relief pitcher Mark Leiter Jr.

MLB News / Yardbarker

The 25 greatest pitching seasons from the modern MLB era

America's favorite pastime has more memorable performances than any sport. As such, figuring out which pitchers had the best seasons ever is no easy task.

Athletics News / MLB on ClutchPoints / December 14

Mets’ perfect trade offer for Padres’ Mason Miller

The New York Mets face a critical offseason after failing to reach the playoffs in 2025. New York was expected to build on a successful 2024 campaign, when the team made a surprise run to the NLCS.

Athletics News / The Spun / December 13

Mets, Padres Reportedly Discussing Blockbuster Trade

There appears to be a blockbuster trade brewing between the New York Mets and the San Diego Padres. According to Dennis Lin of The Athletic, the Mets and Padres have been talking about a potential trade.

Click here to get Yardbarker's Quiz of the Day emailed to you!

The 'Active NFL 5-passing-TD games' quiz

The 'Last 10-TD season by NFL team' quiz

The '2025-26 bowl game host cities' quiz

The 'Active NBA PPG leaders' quiz

Mason Miller News / MLB on ClutchPoints / December 13

Padres rumors: San Diego’s Mason Miller trade possibility comes with ‘overwhelmed’ catch

Trade rumors are surrounding Mason Miller and the San Diego Padres, as there is speculation that the organization is looking to shake things up with the roster.

Brett Pill News / MLB Trade Rumors / December 13

Rockies Hire Brett Pill As Hitting Coach

The Rockies announced the hiring of former MLB first baseman Brett Pill as their hitting coach. The 41-year-old joins Warren Schaeffer’s staff after six seasons with the Dodgers.

Athletics News / Oakland Athletics on SI / December 12

Three Way-To-Early Draft Targets for the Athletics

Heading into Tuesday's draft lottery, the A's held the fifth-highest odds at earning the first overall selection in the 2026 Draft next summer. However, the results went as every lottery has gone for the team since it was introduced in 2023.

Stephen Vogt News / Field Level Media / December 12

Report: Guardians manager Stephen Vogt already has extension

So much for the idea that Cleveland Guardians manager Stephen Vogt was possibly headed into a lame duck season, with ESPN reporting Friday that the two-time American League Manager of the Year already signed an extension that never was announced.

Athletics News / The Forkball / December 12

Athletics Add Veteran Arm Mark Leiter Jr. on One-Year Deal

The Oakland Athletics moved quickly to reinforce their bullpen, securing veteran right-hander Mark Leiter Jr. on a one-year contract worth roughly $3 million.

Athletics News / Just Baseball / December 12

Which Unwanted Contracts Could Be Moved This Winter?

In an offseason that has already seen its fair share of fascinating trades, the Texas Rangers and New York Mets’ swap of their high-priced stars stands

Athletics News / New Baseball Media / December 11

What We Learned at the 2025 Winter Meetings

The 2025 Winter Meetings are officially in the books, one that saw the signings of several notable free agents. However, the offseason is far from done, and what happened over the last few days should set the tone for the winter.

Athletics News / Just Baseball / December 11

The Three Best Picks From the Rule 5 Draft

The Rule 5 draft is one of the most unique events in sports; It’s an opportunity to free career minor leaguers and grant them a fresh start with a new team.

Athletics News / Last Word On Sports / December 10

The A’s Offseason: Who They Could Add in Free Agency

As the offseason heats up, the Athletics continue their long-term rebuild, striking a balance between a young, promising core and the need for select veteran additions.

Athletics News / Field Level Media / December 10

Rockies select Tigers RHP RJ Petit in Rule 5 Draft

Coming off a 119-loss season, the Colorado Rockies selected Detroit Tigers right-hander RJ Petit with the first pick of the Rule 5 Draft on Wednesday. A total of 13 players were selected in the major league phase of the draft, including four players currently ranked among their organization's top-30 prospects by MLB.

Athletics News / New Baseball Media / December 10

Recap & Analysis for Every 2025 Rule 5 Draft Pick

One of the hallmarks at the end of the annual Winter Meetings is the Rule 5 Draft. The 2025 version of the event took place on December 10, and pitching was on the menu for this one.

Athletics News / Just Baseball / December 9

Predicting the Best Player Each AL West Team Will Add for 2026

The American League West ran through Houston for the better part of a decade, but there was a new sheriff in 2025. Less than nine outs away from making the World Series, the Seattle Mariners felt all the emotions of the postseason.