Athletics sign right-hander to contract as they look to increase payroll ahead of impending move to Las Vegas Luis Severino Last week, they struck the biggest trade in franchise history as they look to attract the attention of a new city during their temporary move to West Sacramento. That being said, a report Monday from The Athletic’s Evan Drellich and Ken Rosenthal highlighted that putting fans in seats in 2025 isn’t the only motivation behind clubs’ decisions to increase spending. The two report that the Athletics risk incurring the ire of the MLB Players Association if the club’s payroll does not increase significantly this winter.
This grievance risk arises from the fact that Company A will receive 100% of revenue share funds for the first time in 2025 under the current collective bargaining agreement. While teams only receive 25% of their allocation in 2022, that number increases to 50% in 2023, 75% in 2024, and finally 100% in 2025. The fact that revenue sharing recipients are receiving more than 150% of their revenue goes toward MLB payroll.
Drelic and Rosenthal went on to report that after last year’s worst attendance in baseball, the Athletics could receive a revenue share of $70 million or more, which would mean the club would need to reach 105 Player salaries of a million dollars or more are required to pay the luxury tax. RosterResource currently projects the club’s 2025 luxury tax payroll to be just under $78.5MM, meaning they would need to add approximately $26.5MM to player salaries to avoid falling below the 150% figure. It’s worth noting that these numbers are also imprecise, and if the A’s receive a larger revenue-share check than currently expected, they may end up needing to float over $105MM in luxury tax payroll to avoid dissatisfaction.
Reaching that level of spending could be complicated for a club that has struggled to attract free agents this winter because they will use the Triple-A stadium as their home venue for the next three seasons. A separate report from Rosenthal suggested the Athletics were interested in adding another free agent starting pitcher around Severino, though he added that such a signing would likely come from a lower-level free agent. Experienced pitcher. Rosenthal specializes in name checking Kyle Gibson, Lance Lynnand Andrew Heaney If anyone on the Athletics’ staff wants to pitch in West Sacramento next season, they could consider that as a potential option.
Of the three, Heaney is expected to receive the largest contract on MLBTR’s annual list of 50 MLB free agents, a two-year, $24MM contract. The $12MM in AAV would increase the club’s luxury tax payroll to $90.5MM, just $15MM short of reaching the projected $105MM goal. The tough sell of West Sacramento pitchers and the larger-than-expected deals signed by other pitchers this winter could put the Athletics in a position where they would need to offer more than $12MM in annual salary to acquire a veteran pitcher, but even if they sign After landing a veteran starter on a deal that came in far faster than expected, they’ll certainly still need to find other ways to add salary to get to $105.
Of course, free agency isn’t the only way to add talent (and salary). The trade market is one avenue for Major League Baseball to bring in talent, and the club has been candid about exploring it this winter. cubs outfielder Cody Bellinger and Diamondback Lefty. Jordan Montgomery There are two high-priced players rumored to be available and the club could strike deals with them if they want to get in position immediately to avoid the displeasure of one fell swoop, but a raft of other players are expected to be on the move. way to increase the club’s wages. rays first baseman Yandy Diazcubs second baseman Nico Hornerand cardinal lefty Steven Matz Is one of the few trade candidates who could earn $10MM or more in 2025.
Another avenue the Athletics could take to increase their luxury tax payroll without having to convince free agents to sign with another club or trade is to extend contracts with players already in the organization. Reports over the weekend suggested the Athletics were interested in negotiating a contract extension with the breakout slugger Brent Rooker. MLBTR writer Matt Swartz projects Rooker will earn $5.1 million during his first arbitration trip this winter, and any extension that guarantees Rooker’s AAV above the $5.1 million figure would increase the club’s luxury tax salary. As MLBTR’s Mark Polishuk noted over the weekend, even if the A’s and Rooker have no interest in agreeing to a long-term deal that buys out some of Rooker’s free-agent years, an extension covering his arbitration years could provide certainty. Given the A’s current predicament, such an extension would certainly give them an additional benefit by increasing the AAV of Rooker’s 2025 contract, although a realistic extension is unlikely to add $26.5MM to the club’s taxable payroll to avoid the risk. The grievance itself.
