2024-25 MLB Offseason Recap: Athletics

The Athletics officialy shut the door on their Oakland era in 2024, as the team moved to Sacramento on an interim basis until their new stadium in Las Vegas is built. But armed with an exciting offensive troupe, the Athletics added both starting and relief pitching this past winter to complement their team.

Notable Additions

• RP Jose Leclerc (0.0 bWAR)
• SP/RP Jacob Lopez (0.0 bWAR)
• RP Dylan Floro (0.8 bWAR) (ML deal)
• SP Luis Severino (1.6 bWAR)
• SP Jeffrey Springs (0.9 bWAR)
• INF Luis Urias (0.4 bWAR)
• INF Gio Urshela (0.7 bWAR)

The A’s head to Sacramento with an exciting core, one that’ll be kept together for the next few years with Brent Rooker extended past his arbitration-eligible years.

With Rooker, Lawrence Butler, and Jacob Wilson, among others, up in the Majors, the focus was on completing their 2025 rotation. The Athletics picked up two notable starters, in Luis Severino — who signed the largest free-agent deal in franchise history — and Jeffrey Springs.

Severino tweaked his approach to hitters in 2024, increasing his sinker usage, using a sweeper as his primary breaking ball, and having immense success limiting well-hit contact (5.7% Barrel%) last season with the Mets.

As for Springs, the left-hander boasts a plus changeup and carrying fastball. Springs missed most of 2024 thanks to Tommy John surgery but was highly effective in 2022 and early on in 2023. The 32-year-old struck out 144 over 135.1 IP in the 2022 season as a starter.

Jose Leclerc will join the Athletics’ bullpen for 2025. Leclerc comes over after spending his entire career before this season in Texas. The veteran right-hander didn’t click as a full-time closer early last season. But, Leclerc can get batters out with a diverse group of pitches and excels at the swing-and-miss.

The A’s also signed Cal State Fullerton product Dylan Floro to a Minor League deal. Floro rebounded from a tough 2023 to post a 2.06 ERA in Washington last season. The sinkerballer, however, didn’t perform well with Arizona after the D-Backs acquired him, as he posted a 9.37 ERA over 16.1 IP.

Infielders Luis Urias and Gio Urshela came over to the A’s in free agency.

Notable Losses

• RP Austin Adams (0.5 bWAR)
• RP Scott Alexander (1.2 bWAR)
• SP Alex Wood (-0.2 bWAR)

The then-Oakland Athletics benefitted greatly from Austin Adams, who the A’s acquired last March from the Mets for cash. Adams, a heavy slider/four-seam hurler, posted a sky-high 35.3% Whiff% in 2024, netting whiffs and making himself a viable right-hander despite his command troubles.

Adams posted a 3.92 ERA over 41.1 IP, his most work in an MLB bullpen in three seasons. Boston signed him to a Minor League deal in January.

Scott Alexander, also part of what was a good bullpen for the A’s in 2024, joined the Rockies.

What to Expect in 2025

The Athletics won’t have it easy in 2025, as Houston, Seattle, and Texas all figure to be the top three teams in the AL West this season.

However, the A’s are getting closer. Athletics hitters combined to finish eighth in home runs last season, and one has to wonder — between friendlier hitting confines in Sacramento and team progression — if 2025 could be better for the team’s offense.

The Athletics’ pitching, though, will be the key. Oakland didn’t have reliable starting pitching last season, although there were bright spots. Osvaldo Bido emerged as a reliable arm when healthy, while JP Sears and Mitch Spence were innings-eaters.

If Severino and Springs can deliver more than what the team got in 2024, the A’s could easily improve from their 69-win total in 2024.