One of the saddest stories in modern professional sports belongs to the Athletics.
Disgraceful ownership has detached a staple big league franchise from a great sports town in Oakland. As the club waits to make its Las Vegas debut, the A’s have quietly put together a stellar cast of young talent.
Led by reigning American League Rookie of the Year Nick Kurtz, the team features young shortstop Jacob Wilson and outfielders Tyler Soderstrom and Lawrence Butler.
Veteran talent such as Brent Rooker and Jeff McNeil helps round out what should be a stellar lineup for the Athletics in 2026.
AL West
Last season, the Seattle Mariners captured their first AL West division title since 2001. Previously, the Houston Astros had run the division, with the Texas Rangers bypassing the division for a World Series championship in 2023.
The Los Angeles Angels are helplessly stuck in the cellar, making the West a four-team race in 2026.
Seattle was one win away from the World Series last season. Houston has retooled the roster in hopes of returning to past glory. A revamped Rangers lineup with much-needed health could spring their club back towards the postseason.
So where does this leave the A’s?
Playoffs? Playoffs!
While I do not believe the Athletics will be contenders for a division title, I do believe they can find themselves in the postseason come October.
Their young core took a step forward in the first half of 2025 before falling back down to Earth. Their pitching will be their main weakness, but playing in a minor league park could help them slug their way to a winning record.
Their bullpen has been left weakened without top arm Mason Miller, who they dealt at the 2025 Trade Deadline. However, if we have learned anything in Major League Baseball, it is that relievers can often rise out of left field (pun intended).
The A’s won 76 games a season ago. With a full season of Kurtz and co, I believe their offense will be even better. If their pitching can remain middle of the pack, I see a world in which the Sacramento-based team sneaks into the playoffs as the final Wild Card team.
From that point on, who knows what can happen next? Maybe we’ll see a playoff game in a minor league stadium.
All that is for certain is that this version of the A’s will be fun to watch.
Baseball Stock photos by Vecteezy
Leave a Reply