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Are the Athletics good now?
At the very least, the team that once called Oakland home is attempting to get better, and quickly. Earlier in the off-season, they signed Luis Severino to a three-year, $67 million deal, the largest contract they’ve given out in franchise history.
They added to their rotation on Saturday, as they traded Joe Boyle, Will Simpson, Jacob Watters, and a competitive balance draft pick to the Tampa Bay Rays for starting pitcher Jeffrey Springs.
Tampa Bay will be receiving right-handers Joe Boyle and Jacob Watters, outfielder Will Simpson as well as a compensation A round draft pick from the A's, sources tell ESPN. Jeffrey Springs and one other player are headed from Tampa to the A's.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) December 14, 2024
Springs, 32, only pitched 33 innings in 2024, where he had a 3.27 ERA and a 3.98 FIP, with a 26.1 K% and a 7.7 BB%. The left-handed pitcher missed most of the season due to Tommy John surgery and only pitched 16 innings the year prior.
In his last full season back in 2022, he had a 2.46 ERA and a 3.04 FIP in 135.1 innings pitched, along with a 26.2 K% and a 5.6 BB%. Through his seven seasons in the big leagues, he’s only pitched 313.2 innings, with a 3.39 ERA and a 3.64 FIP, along with a 27.2 K% and a 7.9 BB%.
The Athletics may not be good when they move to Sacramento next season for three years, but at least they’re trying to be competitive. Too bad it took them to move from Oakland to do so.
The Athletics inquired about Alec Bohm
Speaking of the Athletics, Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reported on Saturday that the Athletics inquired about Philadelphia Phillies third baseman Alec Bohm.
Last season, the 28-year-old slashed .280/.332/.448 with 15 home runs in 606 plate appearances, giving him a career-high 115 wRC+ and 3.5 fWAR (minimum 200 plate appearances).
Defensively, Bohm is not great, to put it mildly. For his career, he has -46 Defensive Runs Saved and 4 Outs Above Average in 4063 innings at the hot corner. However, he had 0 DRS and 4 OAA in 1096 innings last season.
Still, when the Phillies asked for ace closer, Mason Miller, you can see why the conversation immediately stopped for the Athletics. Last season, the 26-year-old righty had a 2.49 ERA and a 2.18 FIP in 65 innings pitched, with a 41.8 K% and an 8.4 BB% with 28 saves. He averages 101.1 mph with his fastball and won’t be a free agent until after the 2029 season.
The Athletics may eventually trade him, but it would be a lot more than Bohm.
Brian Serven signs with the Tigers
It was reported by Just Baseball’s Aram Leighton on Monday evening that former Blue Jay catcher Brian Serven signed with the Detroit Tigers on a minor-league deal.
The Tigers and catcher Brian Serven have agreed to a minor league deal, source tells @JustBB_Media. Includes an invite to Spring Training.
— Aram Leighton (@AramLeighton8) December 16, 2024
Last season, Serven played for the Blue Jays on a minor league deal and only totaled 71 plate appearances. Some of that came when Danny Jansen was on the Injured List, while he also got some playing time when the Blue Jays were well out of postseason contention and Jansen was traded. Overall, Serven slashed .159/.243/.222 with no home runs, for a 38 wRC+ and a -0.2 fWAR.
Serven’s career year came in 2022 with the Colorado Rockies, where he slashed .203/.261/.332 with six home runs in 205 plate appearances for a 54 wRC+ and a 0.6 fWAR.
Best of luck to Serven!
More must-reads:
- Biggest impact of Josh Naylor trade may still be to come
- Four teams that should be buyers at the trade deadline
- The 'Multiple 100-RBI MLB seasons' quiz
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TODAY'S BEST
Yankees among teams in talks to acquire Padres starter
New York Yankees general manager Brian Cashman has stirred up a whirlwind, looking to fulfill his priority of bringing a frontline starter to New York. In his latest round of relentless phone calls, MLB insider Jon Heyman reports that Cashman spoke to San Diego Padres general manager, A.J. Preller, about two-time Cy Young candidate Dylan Cease. Cease has been a source of interest for MLB teams since 2022, when he pitched to a spectacular 2.20 ERA with 227 strikeouts in 184 innings, coming second in the Cy Young voting. Landing with the Padres last season, Cease again flashed potential, tossing to a 3.47 ERA with 224 strikeouts through 189.1 innings of work. That year, he placed fourth in Cy Young voting. But as much as Cease is talented, he is also flawed. In 2023, just after his best year, Cease posted a lackluster 4.58 ERA, and this season has been no better. Through 113.2 innings this year, Cease owns a 4.59 ERA with 144 strikeouts. Cease has been quite the strikeout artist since his debut, but the rest of his results haven’t always been that good. His 42 walks and 16 home runs surrendered on the year make him a risky bet. According to Heyman, the Yankees are one of four teams that have “checked in” on Cease. He notes that trading Cease is a long shot since the Padres are in contention, but they still may be inclined to do so as he is in the last year of his contract. One might also add that his performance this year probably won’t help them reach the World Series. For the Yankees, or any other interested team for that matter, dealing prospects or players for a slumping half-year rental might not be the best idea. Still, the Padres might just receive a decent haul for Cease since the market for spotless, front-line aces is non-existent at this trade deadline.
Shaquille O'Neal Is 'Still Worried' About the Lakers Despite Having LeBron James, Luka Doncic
Hall of Famer Shaquille O’Neal believes the Los Angeles Lakers have made major moves this offseason. But despite adding big names like Luka Doncic and Deandre Ayton alongside LeBron James, O’Neal says there’s still one big problem: shooting. In an exclusive interview with Casino Beats, O’Neal praised the Lakers’ revamped core but didn’t hold back on what he thinks they still lack. “They have a legitimate big now, got two premier players,” O’Neal said. “I’m still worried about the shooting. It’s a three-point league now.” The Lakers shook up the NBA back in February when they acquired Doncic from the Dallas Mavericks. The 26-year-old All-Star joined James, now 40, to form one of the league’s most talented duos. The front office followed that move by signing center Deandre Ayton and adding veteran guard Marcus Smart in free agency. But even with those additions, O’Neal says the Lakers need more than just average shooters. “Not guys that can shoot, (I’m talking about) bonafide shooters,” he explained. “Guys that are guaranteed, like JJ Redick. He was a bonafide shooter.” Last season, the Lakers finished middle of the pack in three-point shooting, ranking 15th in total makes and 14th in percentage. Their lack of consistent outside threats was exposed during a first-round playoff loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves. O’Neal, who won three straight NBA titles with the Lakers, said the team has addressed its size and star power but warned that shooting could make or break their playoff run. Still, he expects the team to perform better in the upcoming season and make a push for homecourt advantage. “You got two premier players. You got a big guy that can do certain things,” O’Neal said. “Those three players should be able to get you to one through four. If they don’t have home court advantage, I’ll be very disappointed.” For O’Neal, the path forward is clear. The Lakers have the pieces, but to win in today’s NBA, “bonafide shooters” aren’t optional. They’re essential.
Three-time All-Star will be key to Fever weathering troubling Caitlin Clark injury update
Following a troubling injury update, Caitlin Clark isn't coming back to rescue the Indiana Fever anytime soon. But Aliyah Boston still can. On Thursday, the Fever announced that Clark remains out with a groin injury and has no timetable for a return. In a social media post, the team emphasized prioritizing "her long-term health and well-being," suggesting the organization won't cut corners in getting Clark back on the court. Indiana won't be title contenders without its star guard, but Boston's continued growth into one of the league's best players should keep it from falling out of the playoff picture. This season, Boston, the No. 1 overall pick of the 2023 WNBA Draft, ranks second in the league in win shares (4.5), trailing only MVP favorite Minnesota Lynx forward Napheesa Collier (5.8). Boston is averaging 15.5 points, 7.8 rebounds, 3.8 assists and one block per game. She has the fourth-highest player efficiency rating (PER), only trailing Collier, Las Vegas Aces center A'ja Wilson and Phoenix Mercury forward Alyssa Thomas. Per Across The Timeline, she's one of seven players in league history with 1,500 points before turning 24 and is only improving. On June 24, she scored a career-high 31 points on 13-of-18 shooting in a win over the Seattle Storm. In that game, Clark struggled, going 3-of-13 from the court, including 0-of-6 on three-point attempts, and turning the ball over eight times. It was Boston and veteran guard Kelsey Mitchell, who had 26 points, who led the Fever when their star wasn't at her best. The Fever need Clark for them to reach their full potential, but until then, Boston must lead the way. She's arguably been Indiana's best player all season, something she'll have to continue being until Clark returns.
Cowboys quarterback seemingly takes a shot at his former team
Joe Milton III is experiencing training camp with his second NFL team in as many seasons, and the young quarterback says he has already noticed some significant differences. Milton was traded from the New England Patriots to the Dallas Cowboys this offseason in a somewhat surprising move. At practice on Thursday, the former Tennessee quarterback told reporters he has been surprised by how much mentoring he has received from Dak Prescott. Milton then seemed to take a swipe at his former team. "Dak is a great leader. … All respect to him. He literally goes out of his way to help me," Milton said. "I’ve been in another building. I know how that goes. It’s just very different over here.” Milton played behind fellow rookie Drake Maye in New England last season. He could not have expected the No. 3 overall pick to mentor him, so it is possible he was taking a shot at Jacoby Brissett, who was also on the Patriots' roster last year. Either way, it seems clear that Milton is having a better time in Dallas than he did last year. Milton gave a funnier reason for being happy about his trade to the Cowboys earlier this offseason.
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