“Thundering into the Weekend: Track & Field Updates, Relief Pitcher Market Shakeup, and MLBTR Chat Highlights”
Title: The Hot Stove Heats Up: What’s Next for the A’s and the Rest of the Baseball World
As the new year gets underway, the hot stove is back to life, with baseball teams preparing for the start of the new season. With the Oakland Athletics kicking off the winter with a flurry of activity, including signing pitcher Brent Rooker to a five-year extension, here are three key storylines to watch as the winter months unfold.
1. What’s Next for the A’s?
After adding Luis Severino and Gio Urshela in December, the A’s made a move to lock down one of their key players in Rooker. The five-year extension will not only keep the team in its current form but also has the side effect of increasing player salaries for luxury tax purposes, with RosterResource now estimating the club’s payroll tax to be in the $97MM range. To avoid the ire of the MLBPA, the A’s need to keep their payroll within the $105MM range, which will leave them with at least $8MM to spend this winter.
As the A’s look to free agency, they may be considering adding another starting pitcher and a reliever as a closer. Veteran setup options like Mason Miller could also make sense. With a relatively light purse, the A’s will need to prioritize their spending wisely if they want to make a push for the playoffs.
2. Is the Relief Market Recovering?
One of the quietest corners of this winter’s free agency market is the relief market. So far, Aroldis Chapman, Blake Treinen, and Yimi Garcia are the only notable signings. There were a few notable trades, however, including the Devin Williams deal with the Yankees. The Rangers made a recent signing, inking veteran closer Chris Martin to a one-year deal.
However, top free agent reliever Tanner Scott remains on the market, reportedly seeking a deal that would guarantee him an annual salary in the $20MM range. With the dam yet to break, it’s unclear when Scott will find a new home. The relief market is slowly starting to stir, but there’s still a long way to go before things heat up.
3. The Rest of the League
While the A’s and the relief market are dominating the headlines, other teams are also making moves. The Nationals, for example, are on the hunt for a new general manager, and the Blue Jays are looking for a new president. The Padres, meanwhile, are rumored to be interested in acquiring a ace pitcher.
In other news, the MLB Players Association (MLBPA) has announced a new collective bargaining agreement, which will go into effect on March 1, 2025. The deal includes a significant increase in revenue sharing, with more money going to small-market teams.
FAQ
Q: How much does the A’s need to spend this winter to avoid the ire of the MLBPA?
A: According to RosterResource, the A’s need to keep their payroll within the $105MM range to avoid the ire of the MLBPA. This leaves them with at least $8MM to spend this winter.
Q: What’s the outlook for the relief market this winter?
A: The relief market is slowly starting to stir, but there’s still a long way to go before things heat up. Aroldis Chapman, Blake Treinen, and Yimi Garcia are the only notable signings so far, but top free agent reliever Tanner Scott remains on the market.
Q: What’s next for the A’s?
A: The A’s will need to prioritize their spending wisely this winter if they want to make a push for the playoffs. They may consider adding another starting pitcher and a reliever as a closer, as well as exploring veteran setup options like Mason Miller.
Conclusion
As the hot stove season gets underway, the A’s and the rest of the league are gearing up for a thrilling winter of trade rumors, free agent signings, and roster shake-ups. From the relief market to the front offices, there’s plenty to keep an eye on as we count down the days until opening day. Will the A’s be able to make a move and avoid the ire of the MLBPA, or will other teams make their own splashes? Only time will tell, but one thing is for sure – the winter of 2025 is shaping up to be one for the books.
