The Athletics are in a very strange position. They’re no longer a vague rebuilding team, but they haven’t pitched enough to call themselves a true contender. They possess an offense expected to be in the top 10 of MLB, with Nick Kurtz, Jacob Wilson, Brent Rooker, Tyler Soderstrom, and many other proven players. The problem is: the next step won’t be decided by those already secured.
This season will be a test for players on the edge of the roster and top prospects — because they will decide whether the Athletics buy, sell, or stand still as the deadline approaches.
The first focus is on pitching young players. Gage Jump has been mentioned frequently as a potential early MLB prospect in 2026. If Jump truly demonstrates the ability to carry quality innings, the Athletics will avoid having to rush into the starter market with expensive trade packages. More importantly, it will completely change the standards for pitchers that front office players should aim for.
In other words: A’s can’t trade prospects blindly before understanding what they’re lacking.
A similar story is unfolding on the infield side with Leo De Vries. If this top prospect continues to accelerate and soon emerges in Sacramento, A’s infield picture will be rearranged almost immediately. Kurtz in first, Wilson in short, McNeil in second — and the third base becomes a variable.
That variable is both an opportunity and a risk. If De Vries or Wilson can take on the third base long-term, A’s will have more cards to offer. Names like Max Muncy or Tommy White would no longer be “backup,” but become valuable assets to trade.
The important point is: A’s is gradually locking down its own roster. Shortstop, two outfield corners, and DH have been held long-term. The plan is to keep Shea Langeliers and Nick Kurtz for the long term. This means the window for prospects is narrowing.
Outfield is the clearest example. Colby Thomas, Henry Bolte, Junior Perez—talent is not lacking, but opportunities are limited. With Denzel Clarke almost securing a place with his top-class defensive abilities, the remaining players are forced to become “alternative options”: either surpass expectations or be traded for pitching.
The biggest problem for A’s right now isn’t whether they should trade—but when and who. With the difficulty in attracting free agents during the game between Sacramento and Las Vegas, the most realistic path to improvement remains through trades.
The time pressure is even greater with a lockout predicted to begin in December. History is not on A’s side. In the previous lockout, they were forced to sell Bassitt, Chapman, Olson, and Manaea in a passive position—and those returns remain controversial to this day.
This season, therefore, has a different meaning. This isn’t just the year A’s “test the waters,” but the year they determine who truly is the man of the future. Some names will be retained. Others will become tools for pitching.
And once the decision is made, there’s no turning back.
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