Stripling's 'Deathball' fools former teammate twice
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- A look of puzzlement ran across D-backs outfielder Joc Pederson’s face. Never before had he seen anything quite like the pitch from Ross Stripling that caused him to swing so hopelessly for strike three twice in the same game. So, while jogging back to the home dugout
How a former teammate helped bring Davis to Oakland
MESA, Ariz. -- Déjà vu struck J.D. Davis when he took third base and looked at the pitcher's mound just before his A’s debut in Sunday’s 3-3 tie against the White Sox and saw Alex Wood toeing the rubber at Hohokam Stadium. Teammates on the Giants over the past two
Injuries & Moves: Soderstrom optioned among roster cuts
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'It was like it was meant to be': Davis crosses Bay to join A's
MESA, Ariz. -- As J.D. Davis fielded interest from several teams in the aftermath of his unexpected release from the Giants earlier this week, he lined up his list of decision-making factors in order of importance: role, location and supporting cast. The A’s had an ongoing battle at third base
1 player from each team making a big impression this spring
As we near the end of Spring Training, and with Opening Day right around the corner, it's time to check in on which players around baseball have made the biggest impression on each club during Cactus League and Grapefruit League play. With the help of all 30 MLB.com beat writers,
A's No. 21 prospect could be next super-utility man
This story was excerpted from Martín Gallegos’ A's Beat newsletter. To read the full newsletter, click here. And subscribe to get it regularly in your inbox.
Projecting the A's 2024 Opening Day roster
MESA, Ariz. -- The A’s still have a few roster battles to sort out entering the final stretch of Spring Training. Third base seems to be a bit more settled following the signing of veteran J.D. Davis to a one-year deal, though A’s manager Mark Kotsay indicated that those who
A's agree to 1-year deal with J.D. Davis
The A’s announced the signing of third baseman J.D. Davis to a one-year deal on Saturday. Terms were not announced, but a source told MLB.com's Mark Feinsand that it's for $2.5 million with $1 million in incentives. Davis, who turns 31 next month, was released by the Giants last Monday
By any name, 'Deathball' enlivens Stripling's spring
PEORIA, Ariz. -- Just about every big leaguer undergoes some form of reinvention over the course of his career. For Ross Stripling, it's practically a way of life. Starting from early in his career, Stripling has made a habit of experimenting with his arsenal. He relied on a six-pitch mix
Butler relishes lessons from HOFer Henderson
This story was excerpted from Martín Gallegos’ A’s Beat newsletter. To read the full newsletter, click here. And subscribe to get it regularly in your inbox. MESA, Ariz. -- As a leader of the A’s ‘New Oakland’ youth movement, Lawrence Butler makes it a point to pay homage to those
Kotsay explains recent cuts; Boyle battles command issues
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- No position is more up for grabs for the A’s this spring than third base. On Sunday, that situation gained a bit of clarity when the club optioned Jordan Diaz to Triple-A Las Vegas as one of 12 roster cuts from big league camp. Before Oakland’s 6-5
How Butler is energizing the Athletics' rebuild
MESA, Ariz. -- One year ago, Lawrence Butler made a splash at his first big league Spring Training with a calm yet boldly self-assured demeanor, backed by a scorching-hot bat. That confidence was apparent as Butler dubbed the group of top prospects who were in camp at the time the
1 position battle to watch for each team
With the first few rounds of cuts behind us, clubs are getting a clearer picture of what their rosters are going to look like to open the 2024 season. Even so, every team still has at least one key question mark -- a role that remains, for all intents and
Every team's projected 2024 home run leader
Spring Training is in full swing as we gear up for the 2024 regular season. That means it's a good time to look at projections for how things might turn out this year, and as usual, home runs are at the forefront of that discussion. Courtesy of FanGraphs’ Steamer projections,
Hernaiz impressing at 3B: 'He's put in the work'
LAS VEGAS -- Darell Hernaiz showed up to the A’s Spring Training complex a week before even pitchers and catchers reported and felt confident that the strides he made in the Minors throughout 2023 were sufficient to reach the next level. Then came a reality check. While making his way
Spence tries his luck in Vegas in bid for rotation spot
LAS VEGAS -- The famed Las Vegas Strip, where endless hopes for good luck and grand fortunes fill the area’s many casinos, serves as a backdrop to Las Vegas Ballpark. It was a rather appropriate setting for Mitch Spence to take the mound, given what is at stake for him.
Veteran Wood experiences Cactus League oddity
MESA, Ariz. -- As an 11-year Major League veteran, Alex Wood thought he had seen it all when it came to Spring Training. But Thursday brought something he never thought was possible. On what was a rare gloomy day in Arizona, Wood took the mound for the A’s at Hohokam
Andujar (2 HRs) building case to crack A's roster
TEMPE, Ariz. -- Miguel Andujar entered Spring Training considered to be a player on the fringes of a roster spot. At this rate, the A’s might not have a choice. A scorching spring continued for Andujar, who homered twice off left-hander Patrick Sandoval in Wednesday’s 12-5 A’s victory over the
Here are the A's 2024 Top 30 prospects
One downside to seeing multiple top A’s prospects graduate to the big leagues last season was its effect on the club’s farm system. The A’s graduated eight players (Tyler Soderstrom, Ken Waldichuk, Zack Gelof, Kyle Muller, Esteury Ruiz, Jordan Diaz, Freddy Tarnok and Lawrence Butler) who began 2023 among the
A’s unveil renderings for ballpark in Las Vegas
OAKLAND, Calif. — The Athletics, Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG), and HNTB have unveiled the design for the A’s new ballpark project in Las Vegas on the Tropicana site. BIG will serve as the design lead and HNTB as the sports/hospitality designer and architect of record. "The collaboration between BIG’s creativity
Five developments from a promising A's camp
This story was excerpted from Martín Gallegos’ A’s Beat newsletter. To read the full newsletter, click here. And subscribe to get it regularly in your inbox. MESA, Ariz. -- Coming off a second consecutive 100-loss season, the A’s entered Spring Training feeling optimistic that a turnaround was near based on
After setting rookie steals record, Ruiz gets advice from Rickey
GOODYEAR, Ariz. -- The first pitch of Monday’s 15-8 loss to the Reds at Goodyear Ballpark was at 1:06 p.m. local time. Esteury Ruiz was on second base by 1:07 and crossing home plate by 1:08. If the A’s are to take on a new look in the performance of
2015 MVP, 3-time All-Star Donaldson announces retirement
Former American League MVP and three-time All-Star Josh Donaldson announced his retirement on Monday after 13 big league seasons. Donaldson, 38, broke the news on “The Mayor’s Office with Sean Casey” podcast. “Today is a sad but also a happy day for me to where I am going to announce
Gelof 'right where he needs to be' in hot spring start
MESA, Ariz. -- Opening Day is still a few weeks away but Zack Gelof already appears to be locked in for the season. Gelof added to his hot start this spring with a pair of doubles in Sunday’s 5-2 A’s victory over the Rangers at Hohokam Stadium. The second baseman