The Athletics aren’t short of young pitchers. The problem is they’re too young, and 2025 proved that mercilessly. Their 27th-place finish in MLB ERA wasn’t an accident—it was a consequence of placing too much faith in upside without sufficient experience.
Entering 2026, the Athletics have two names “closed off” in the rotation: Luis Severino and Jeffrey Springs. Behind them are other promising young talents like Jacob Lopez and Luis Morales, both of whom impressed in 2025. But even if things go smoothly, there’s still one rotation slot vacant—and that slot means more than is imagined.
It’s not just about fifth place. It’s about the balance between an inexperienced staff and the ambition to break into the postseason.
Top Tier: Zac Gallen – The Biggest Gamble
If you rule Framber Valdez out due to his high price tag, Zac Gallen is the best option left. Projection isn’t flashy—191 innings, ERA around 4.00—but in the A’s context, that’s a significant leap in consistency.
Don’t forget: from 2021–2024, Gallen was a true pitcher, with an ERA of 3.41 and consistently around 166 innings per season. The 2025 season (ERA 4.83) looks more like a dip than a complete collapse. The A’s might believe that’s the exception—and if so, they’ll be buying a frontline starter for less than its true value.
The problem? Competition. The Orioles, Cubs, even the Diamondbacks are eyeing him. And playing in a minor-league for the next two years isn’t exactly an attractive proposition. The only way for A’s to win is to offer long-term security—something the big teams don’t want to risk.
Mid-tier: Aaron Civale – stability in chaos
If Gallen was a big swing, then Aaron Civale is a more practical choice. Projection only 137 innings with an ERA close to 4.6—not sexy, but usable. Civale has been a consistent starter for three years straight, and despite constant movement last season (Brewers → White Sox → Cubs), he still maintained a noteworthy statistic: 12.6% K-BB.
That’s a sign of a pitcher who can still control the game, even if the statistics aren’t pretty. For A’s, Civale doesn’t need to be an ace. He just needs to get innings, maintain the rhythm, and not let the bullpen burn out too early. More importantly: the price won’t be high—a detail that fits perfectly with the current spending philosophy.
Low Tier: Germán Márquez – A Lottery Ticket of “Hope”
This is the riskiest choice. Germán Márquez carries both a history of injuries and a 6.70 ERA from last season. Tommy John, shoulder, elbow—it’s all on his record. Velocity has decreased. “Stuff” isn’t what it used to be.
But there are two details that make this name not entirely unreasonable. One: Bill Schmidt, former GM of the Rockies, has just joined the A’s scouting department. Two: Márquez will have his first opportunity to shoot from outside Coors Field in a more protected role.
This isn’t a sure thing. This is a lottery ticket—it could win small, it could lose everything. But with a minor-league deal, the risk is controlled.
Conclusion: A’s can’t stand still.
A’s is at a familiar crossroads: not strong enough to go all-in, but not weak enough to “try it out.” With a pitching ranking of 27th in the ERA last season, not adding a veteran would be strategic suicide.
The question isn’t whether A’s will sign another pitcher.
It’s more about: how far will they dare to go—safe, moderate, or reckless?
Because that remaining rotation slot… will say a lot about what kind of team A’s truly wants to become in 2026.
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