3 hot topics A's are bringing to Spring Training

This story was excerpted from Martín Gallegos’ Athletics Beat newsletter. To read the full newsletter, click here. And subscribe to get it regularly in your inbox.

MESA, Ariz. -- Coming off a strong finish to the 2024 season, the Athletics enter 2025 with increased expectations as a team seeking to shift out of rebuild mode and get back to playoff contention.

Making such a leap requires improvements to address club needs, and the A’s supplemented their young core this offseason with the signings of veterans right-hander Luis Severino and third baseman Gio Urshela, as well as trading for left-hander Jeffrey Springs.

With the first Spring Training workout for pitchers and catchers on Wednesday, here are three storylines to watch for the A’s:

Can the A’s really make a run at a playoff spot?

The A’s looked the part of a young team on the rise last season by going 39-37 in their final 76 games. But just how competitive can they be?

Yes, they improved upon their 2023 win total by 19 games. However, going from 69 wins to competing for a spot in the playoffs is a large task, especially considering most of the pressure will lie on the young group of talented players such as Lawrence Butler, Jacob Wilson (ranked by MLB Pipeline as the A's No. 1 prospect), Shea Langeliers, Mason Miller, JJ Bleday, Zack Gelof and Tyler Soderstrom -- all of whom have flashed their skills at different times over the past two years -- to perform over a full season.

As of Tuesday, FanGraphs gives the A’s just a 4 percent chance to win the American League West, while the Rangers (33%), Mariners (30%) and Astros (29%) are nearly tied for the the highest odds.

How will the A’s round out the rotation?

The A’s addressed their rotation in a major way this offseason by adding Severino and Springs. With the durable JP Sears also a lock and Osvaldo Bido well ahead of the pack for the fourth spot, the fifth rotation slot could come down to a spring battle between a group that includes Joey Estes, Mitch Spence, J.T. Ginn, Brady Basso and Hogan Harris.

Estes posted a 5.01 ERA in 25 games (24 starts) last year. Spence began the 2024 season in the bullpen before later moving into the rotation and ended with a 4.58 ERA in 35 games (24 starts).

Left-hander Ken Waldichuk and right-hander Luis Medina are both recovering from Tommy John surgery and could enter the rotation picture later this season. Left-hander Jacob Lopez and non-roster invitee Jason Alexander are also candidates.

Those who do not make the rotation will also be in consideration for a long relief role at the end of spring.

Is there a role available for Esteury Ruiz?

Two years ago, Ruiz flexed his 80-grade speed to set a new American League rookie record with 67 stolen bases. But last season was a much different story. Dealing with wrist and knee injuries, Ruiz appeared in just 29 games before arthroscopic right knee surgery in September officially ended his season.

Ruiz is expected to enter camp fully healthy. How he fits into the outfield mix, however, is unclear. Bleday has earned everyday reps in center field, while Brent Rooker, Butler, Miguel Andujar and Seth Brown are the other outfielders ahead on the depth chart.

Ruiz does still have two Minor League options, so the A’s could opt to keep him at Triple-A to begin the season. Whether he can reclaim a Major League spot with the club will depend on his spring performance, as well as how the A’s want to approach roster construction with their position-player group.