Athletics: Breaking News, Rumors & Highlights

Athletics Designate Ken Waldichuk For Assignment

The Athletics announced that they have designated left-hander Ken Waldichuk for assignment. That open a 40-man spot for infielder/outfielder Jeff McNeil, whom they acquired from the Mets today.

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The Morning Bark

The Quiz of the Day

Mets trade Jeff McNeil to Athletics as David Stearns continues to overhaul roster

The Mets have received a young pitching prospect in return

Kyle Schwarber 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

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 / Oakland Athletics on SI / December 22

A's and New York Mets Come Together For a McDeal

The Athletics have finally addressed a big need this winter. According to Jeff Passan of ESPN, the club has acquired second baseman Jeff McNeil from the New York Mets, and he has been a target that we have proposed this winter.

Athletics News / The Hockey Writers / December 22

Brandon Pridham May Be the Maple Leafs’ Untapped Advantage

Every organization has people who do the talking and people who do the work. With the Toronto Maple Leafs, Brandon Pridham has always done the work. While general managers come and go, and philosophies shift, Pridham has remained a constant presence behind the scenes.

Athletics News / Oakland Athletics on SI / December 22

Former A's Lefty Signs with St. Louis Cardinals

The A's have been on the lookout to add on this winter, while the St Louis Cardinals have been making some big subtractions, trading away Sonny Gray and Willson Contreras to the Boston Red Sox, with more players left on the trade block to be moved.

Paul Blackburn News / Last Word On Sports / December 21

Yankees Re-Sign Blackburn, But Still Need More Pieces in the Bullpen

According to Jon Heyman of the New York Post, the New York Yankees have re-signed right-handed reliever Paul Blackburn to a one-year deal worth $2 million.

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 Trade Rumors / December 21

White Sox, Red Sox Among Teams With Interest In Munetaka Murakami

NPB slugger Munetaka Murakami’s posting window closes at 4pm CT time on December 22. With just over a day left for Murakami to sign with an MLB club, Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reports that the White Sox are among the teams that are presently engaged in talks with the slugger’s camp.

Athletics News / Oakland Athletics on SI / December 21

Los Angeles Dodgers Spending More on Taxes for Payroll Than A's Actual Payroll

With the 2025 season well behind us at this point, and the calendar about to flip to 2026, the final CBT payrolls were released this weekend for each club.

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

The 'Multiple 3-rushing-TD games in a season' quiz

The '2004-05 NFL passing leaders' quiz

The 'Most multi-rushing-TD NFL games' quiz

The 'NFL's active TD-catch leaders' quiz

Athletics News / Just Baseball / December 21

Top 10 Under-the-Radar Relievers Left in Free Agency

As this offseason has progressed, teams have been steadily upgrading their rosters every single day. Through all of these moves, the goal has been to refine the on-field product, slowly building towards competing in the near future.

Athletics News / Total Apex Entertainment / December 20

Pete Davidson and Elsie Hewitt Celebrate Parenthood With First Child

Pete Davidson and Elsie Hewitt have reached a joyful milestone in their relationship with the arrival of their first child together — a baby girl whose birth has filled the couple and fans with celebration.

Max Schuemann News / Athletics Nation / December 20

2025 Athletics Season In Review: Max Schuemann

Welcome to the weekend everyone. It’s finally here and now we can all relax. And whoever has all of next week off? You lucky monsters. For the rest of us we still have a couple days left before Christmas so power through everyone.

Athletics News / Oakland Athletics on SI / December 20

Tampa Bay Rays Land Former A's Starter with Upside

Last winter the Tampa Bay Rays brought in some rotation depth via trade with the Athletics, sending away Jeffrey Springs and Jacob Lopez in exchange for a slew of prospects, headlined by the hard-throwing Joe Boyle.

Athletics News / Just Baseball / December 20

Playing GM: 5 Moves To Complete the Baltimore Orioles Roster for 2026

The Baltimore Orioles told us they were going to sign an impact bat this winter, and they meant it. After whiffing on Kyle Schwarber, president of baseball

Athletics News / MLB Trade Rumors / December 20

Details On Ketel Marte’s No-Trade Protection

The seven-year contract extension Ketel Marte signed with the Diamondbacks last April included a five-team no-trade clause, which adds an interesting wrinkle

Athletics News / Oakland Athletics on SI / December 20

A's Pick Up Depth Reliever From Tampa Bay Rays

The Athletics have been busy adding relief options of late, picking up Mark Leiter Jr. for the big-league squad, and then adding right-handers Joel Kuhnel and Brooks Kriske as depth options for the bullpen.

Athletics News / Last Word On Sports / December 20

Phillies Shopping in December: Additions, Updates and Outlook

Picture the Philadelphia Phillies retaining Kyle Schwarber as a re-load of ammunition while the team waits for backup forces to help finish the job. After re-inserting the National League home-run king into the lineup, the Phillies front office doubled down on their commitment to win a World Series with the current core.

Athletics News / Athlon Sports / December 19

MLB's Highest-Paid Third Basemen in 2026

Anthony Rendon's contract may be one of the worst in modern baseball history. Coming off a World Series title with the Washington Nationals in 2019, Rendon tested free agency and signed a monster contract with the Los Angeles Angels that December.

Athletics News / Athlon Sports / December 18

MLB's Highest-Paid Outfielders in 2026

Juan Soto is baseball's highest-paid MLB player in 2026. The New York Mets will pay the All-Star a hefty $46.8 million this season, thanks to a 15-year, $765 million contract, the largest deal in professional sports history.

Ha-seong Kim News / MLB on ClutchPoints / December 17

The $48 million Athletics offer turned down to stay with Braves

Ha-Seong Kim signed a 1-year contract with the Atlanta Braves on Monday to return to the team after ending the 2025 campaign in Atlanta. Kim began his career with the San Diego Padres, playing four seasons and establishing himself as a fan favorite.

Athletics News / Fastball on SI / December 17

Athletics Viewed As Potential Landing Spot For Mariners 2-Time All-Star

The Seattle Mariners are coming off a tough week in free agency. On Saturday, they lost playoff hero Jorge Polanco, who signed a two-year contract with the New York Mets.

Ha-seong Kim News / Larry Brown Sports / December 16

Report: Athletics got stiffed by ex-Gold Glove winner in free agency

One MLB free agent was apparently willing to turn down longer-term financial security in favor of not having to play for the Athletics. Veteran infielder Ha-Seong Kim signed a new deal with the Atlanta Braves this earlier this week (after already finishing out the last month of the 2025 season with Atlanta).

Athletics News / MLB on ClutchPoints / December 16

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.

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.

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 / 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