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Kyle Muller is out of options. He'll either make the A's Opening Day roster in a few weeks, he'll be traded, or he'll be placed on waivers. The stakes are high for the 6-foot-7 left-hander, and so far this spring, he's responding.
The tall southpaw revamped his delivery over the offseason, per Martín Gallegos, by "raising his arm slot and adjusting his windup rotation from east-to-west to more of a north-to-south motion."
The results so far in camp have been impressive. Through two appearances, Muller has completed five innings, given up five hits, one walk, two runs (one earned), and struck out seven. The three hits he allowed against the Kansas City Royals on Friday afternoon were all singles.
Last season through two outings, Muller held a 5.79 ERA through 4 2/3 innings and had just been rocked for four runs (three earned) on five hits and a walk against the Royals. He seems to be trending in the right direction, but it's still pretty early in camp. Making hard conclusions at this time wouldn't be wise.
That said, the mechanics he's using in camp are similar to how he was throwing in the Atlanta Braves system back in 2022. He held a 3.41 ERA in Triple-A that season across 23 starts and 134 2/3 innings. He was also striking guys out at a 29.3% clip that season in the minors, and that K-rate just didn't develop in Las Vegas, where it sat at just 16.9%. Through five innings in camp he's at 33.3%. His walk rate in '22 was also a solid 7.4%, while it went up to 12.6% in the minors last year.
If Muller is going to be more in line with the pitcher that carved up the International League, then he could play a big role on the A's in 2024. Right now he has an outside shot at being the fifth starter in the A's rotation, but the more likely landing spot would be as a long-man out of the bullpen.
Rule 5 draftee Mitch Spence also seems like a candidate for bullpen work to begin the year, and Luis Medina, who's also out of options, could be the final member of the starting five. In that scenario, Joe Boyle would be left in the minor leagues, and he has been mighty impressive this spring in his own right, allowing just three hits and two runs (one earned) in 5 1/3 innings, striking out five and walking nobody.
The one thing working against Boyle here would be that he still has three options remaining, so if he didn't make the team, he could just report to Triple-A. If Muller or Medina don't make it, they're likely finding themselves on another club. Same goes for Spence, who would be placed on waivers and if he went unclaimed would be offered back to the New York Yankees.
From a roster construction standpoint, Boyle may be the odd-man out to begin the season, barring injury. Still, the additions of Alex Wood and Ross Stripling are seen as veteran arms that are looking to bounce back a bit, and are seen as trade bait around midseason. There will be opportunities to be had for all of the pitchers in the mix, but it may take some maneuvering to keep them all in the organization.
More must-reads:
- Tigers pull one-time All-Star pitcher off rehab assignment
- Las Vegas-bound A’s could return to relevance sooner than expected
- The 'Active 20-home run MLB seasons' quiz
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Braves appear to have dodged $172 million bullet in free agency
In baseball, especially for clubs that do not have a limitless payroll like the Dodgers or Mets, the deals you don’t make can sometimes be even more important than the ones you do. For the Braves, there have been several examples of this. At the 2017 trade deadline, ESPN’s Jeff Passan reported that Atlanta went hard after Jose Quintana, including Ozzie Albies and more in their offer. Thankfully, the Cubs said no thanks, or the Braves would have netted a player that pitched to the tune of a 4.36 ERA over the next three seasons for a three-time All-Star second baseman that went on to sign one of the most team-friendly contracts in the league. More recently, the Braves were in on Aaron Nola a couple of offseasons ago, with ESPN’s Jeff Passan calling them a “real threat” to land the All-Star pitcher. The contact offer the Braves made was even revealed by Scott Lauber of The Philadelphia Inquirer. “The Braves, off back-to-back 100-win seasons and divisional-round ousters by the Phillies, made a six-year, $162 million offer to Nola out of the chute, a source said Sunday. It was a sensible starting point. Atlanta’s bid equaled the Yankees’ deal with free-agent lefty Carlos Rodón last winter.” Had the Braves put pen to paper with Aaron Nola, the contract would have nearly tripled the largest ever handed out by current general manager Alex Anthopoulos. At the time, his thinking was rather clear. Nola, while not quite an ace, had proven to be a workhorse. From 2018 to 2023, he never missed a start, a rarity in today’s game when injuries to pitchers almost feel inevitable. However, just a couple of years into Nola’s $172 million contract with the Phillies, and there might already be some buyer’s remorse. The 32-year-old boasts a gaudy 6.52 ERA and has missed three months due to various injuries. Over the next five seasons, Nola is owed nearly $125 million. It is a contract that has quickly soured and looks like one of the worst in baseball. The kind of contract that would slam most team’s chances at the postseason completely shut. The Phillies can afford a significant gaffe like this, given their willingness to spend. But had the Braves made this deal, we’d likely be talking about a full-blown rebuild heading into 2026.
Minnesota Vikings Lose 2 Potential Practice Squad Members To Waiver Claims
The Minnesota Vikings struck out on this cycle’s waiver claims, coming away empty despite hopes of bolstering their roster. Meanwhile, two recent cuts—linebacker Dorian Mausi and cornerback Reddy Steward—were claimed by other teams, meaning Minnesota not only missed adding talent but also lost out on bringing back a pair of young players they likely viewed as developmental depth. In the big picture, it’s a minor blow, not a crisis, but one that nudges roster decisions heading into Week 1. Minnesota Vikings: The Waiver Wire Misses The waiver wire operates on a priority system based on the previous season’s standings, with the worst teams getting first dibs on available players. For a Minnesota Vikings team that made the playoffs in 2024, their position in the waiver order puts them behind quite a few franchises when it comes to claiming players. This system is designed to promote parity, but it also means that successful teams often watch potential contributors get snatched up by teams with higher priority. It’s the NFL’s way of saying “success has its price,” and that price sometimes includes missing out on players who could help your roster. The specific players the Vikings targeted haven’t been officially disclosed, but the fact that they put in claims suggests these weren’t random lottery tickets. General manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah and his staff identified players they believed could contribute to their 2025 campaign, whether as depth pieces or potential starters depending on the position. Missing out on these claims likely means the Vikings saw something they liked—perhaps a player whose skill set matched a specific need, or someone whose contract situation made them an attractive addition. The evaluation process that goes into waiver claims isn’t casual; teams do their homework before committing to adding a player and taking on their contract. Why These Claims Mattered for the Vikings Every roster spot matters in the NFL, but some matter more than others depending on timing and team needs. The Vikings, coming off a season where they showed both promise and areas for improvement, were likely targeting players who could address specific depth concerns or provide competition at positions where they needed it most. The waiver period often reveals organizational priorities. Teams don’t waste time putting in claims for players they don’t genuinely want, so the Vikings’ attempts suggest they identified real opportunities to improve their roster. Whether those opportunities were at positions of immediate need or longer-term development projects, the fact remains that Minnesota saw value they couldn’t secure. From a competitive standpoint, missing these claims means other teams in the NFC North or broader NFC could potentially benefit from players the Vikings wanted. That’s not necessarily a huge concern, but in a division where the Lions, Packers, and Bears are all trying to build sustainable success, every small advantage matters. The financial aspect can’t be ignored either. Waiver claims often represent cost-effective ways to add talent, especially when compared to free agency or trade markets. Players claimed off waivers typically come with manageable contracts, making them attractive options for teams trying to balance talent acquisition with salary cap management. What’s Next for Minnesota? The Vikings aren’t sitting around feeling sorry for themselves about missed waiver claims. Professional football moves too quickly for that kind of dwelling, and O’Connell’s staff will already be looking at alternative solutions to address whatever needs these potential claims were meant to fill. Free agency remains an option, though it typically comes at a higher cost than waiver claims. The trade market could also provide opportunities, especially as teams finalize their rosters and identify players who don’t fit their immediate plans. Minnesota has shown they’re not afraid to make deals when the right opportunity presents itself. Practice squad signings offer another avenue for adding players. While these moves don’t provide immediate roster spots, they allow teams to develop players and maintain flexibility for future call-ups. The Vikings have been active in this area before and likely will continue to scour practice squads for hidden gems. The bigger picture suggests this is more about missed opportunities than actual setbacks. The Vikings enter 2025 with legitimate playoff aspirations and a roster that O’Connell and Adofo-Mensah have carefully constructed. Missing out on a couple of waiver claims doesn’t fundamentally alter their trajectory or ceiling. What it does highlight is the competitive nature of roster building in today’s NFL. Every team is constantly looking for edges, and the fact that the Vikings were active on the waiver wire shows they’re taking that search seriously. Sometimes you win those battles, sometimes you don’t. The Long View Missing out on waiver claims stings in the moment, but it’s rarely remembered by season’s end unless those players go on to have significant impacts elsewhere. The Vikings’ success in 2025 won’t be determined by who they didn’t get off waivers in August—it’ll be decided by how well their current roster performs when the games matter most. O’Connell and his staff have shown they can adapt and find solutions. If these missed claims represented real needs, expect Minnesota to address them through other means. The season is long, rosters change, and opportunities arise in unexpected ways throughout the year. For now, it’s a minor disappointment in what promises to be an eventful season. Nothing more, nothing less.
Commanders shot at big roster upgrade runs through Adam Peters connection
Waivers came and went without the Washington Commanders securing any players who didn't quite make the grade elsewhere. Securing desired targets was always going to be difficult at No. 29 in the order, which immediately turned attention to the potential veteran pool. This seemed like a much more realistic proposition. Adam Peters is depending heavily on veteran players this season, and the Commanders have among the league's oldest rosters. That's come in for criticism, but it was the only option after years of woeful drafting from the previous head coach, Ron Rivera. The Commanders' roster looks top-heavy once again. Some position groups are deeper than others, but more might be needed before Week 1 against the New York Giants arrives. If the general manager wants to add another weapon for quarterback Jayden Daniels with someone he knows well, the perfect possibility just became available. Commanders should take a look at Kendrick Bourne after Patriots release Kendrick Bourne's time with the New England Patriots officially fizzled out. The AFC East club tried to work out a trade with the Minnesota Vikings to get something back in return. When they went with Adam Thielen instead, they had no choice other than to release him. Bourne came up as an undrafted free agent with the San Francisco 49ers as an undrafted free agent. Peters was one of the front-office figures who identified the pass-catcher as someone who could potentially make an impression. He rewarded the franchise with four years of solid production before securing a decent contract in New England. After a hot start with more than 800 receiving yards, Bourne's influence has diminished. Injuries didn't help his cause, but it's clear he was being sent to the fringes in favor of others. What Peters must figure out is whether this was scheme-related or if there isn't much left in the tank. The Commanders have had a lot of success with experienced retreads down on their luck. Most have thrived in a strong culture with an exceptional support system around them. Washington might be content with taking five wideouts through, especially after signing undrafted rookie Ja'Corey Brooks to the practice squad, but bringing him in for a workout wouldn't be the worst idea in the world. Peters is probably comfortable enough with what he has for now. But if he thinks Bourne can assist, he won't hesitate to bring him into the fold. More Commanders news and analysis
Dallas Cowboys cut standout rookie in under 24 hours after he made the 53-man roster in a risky move
I did not see that one coming. On Wednesday, the Dallas Cowboys cut undrafted rookie Zion Childress after the cornerback made the initial 53-man roster on Tuesday, per ESPN's Todd Archer. Childress, a preseason standout, was the only Cowboys' undrafted rookie that survived cuts. And for good reason. The former Kentucky Wildcat was sticky in coverage and physical defending the run. He also showed off a knack for blitzing, often pressuring the quarterback over three preseason games. However, the Cowboys claimed two defensive backs in the initial waiver wire period on Wednesday: Trikweze Bridges and Reddy Stewart. It appears the Cowboys are much higher on the two newcomers than on Childress. The team could've opened multiple roster spots by placing CB Caelen Carson and RB Phil Mafah on Injured Reserve as expected. Instead, it's cutting Childress and CB Andrew Booth. For Childress to land back on the Cowboys, he needs to clear waivers to be signed to Dallas' practice squad. That could be a tough task as the rookie put on impressive film over the course of the preseason. We'll see if he goes unclaimed. Earlier in the preseason, Childress appeared a legitimate candidate to start at nickel in Week 1 while Dallas navigated injuries to the position. Ahead of next week's matchup versus the Philadelphia Eagles, there's a chance Trevon Diggs is able to play, which would pair him outside with newcomer Kaiir Elam. In such a scenario, DaRon Bland would take over the slot. window.addEventListener('message', function (event) {if (event.data.totalpoll event.data.totalpoll.action === 'resizeHeight') {document.querySelector('#totalpoll-iframe-375').height = event.data.totalpoll.value;}}, false);document.querySelector('#totalpoll-iframe-375').contentWindow.postMessage({totalpoll: {action: 'requestHeight'}}, '*');
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