A’s Make Bold Move, Acquire Jeffrey Springs in Six-Player Trade with Rays
The Oakland Athletics are making waves this offseason, and their latest move is a big one. According to sources, the A’s are acquiring left-handed pitcher Jeffrey Springs in a six-player trade with the Tampa Bay Rays. This blockbuster deal is yet another sign that the A’s are serious about contending as they prepare for their first season in Sacramento.
In the trade, Springs and one other player will head to Oakland, while the Rays will receive right-handers Joe Boyle and Jacob Watters, first baseman Will Simpson, and a Competitive Balance A round draft pick, which falls somewhere in the late 30s, sources said.
Oakland’s Payroll Surge Signals Contention
For a team that has long been known for its frugality, the A’s are making a statement by pushing their payroll into the $100 million range. Springs, who is owed $10.5 million for each of the next two seasons and has a $15 million club option for 2027, joins the A’s shortly after the team signed free agent Luis Severino to a three-year, $67 million contract. These moves mark a significant shift in Oakland’s approach as they aim to compete in a wide-open American League West division.
Jeffrey Springs: A Comeback Story
Springs, 32, has had a rollercoaster career. After bouncing around from Texas to Boston to Tampa Bay, he finally broke out in 2022 with the Rays. However, his momentum was halted when he tore the ulnar collateral ligament in his left elbow, requiring Tommy John surgery. Springs made his return last season, and in seven starts, he posted a 2-2 record with a 3.27 ERA, striking out 37 batters and walking 11 over 33 innings. Now, he joins a revamped A’s rotation that includes Severino and J.P. Sears, along with potential contributors like left-hander Hogan Harris and right-handers Joey Estes, Mitch Spence, Osvaldo Bido, and Luis Medina.
Building Around a Promising Core
The A’s finished the 2023 season with a 69-93 record, but they are positioning themselves to make a leap forward. Their core includes designated hitter Brent Rooker, outfielders Lawrence Butler and JJ Bleday, catcher Shea Langeliers, shortstop Jacob Wilson, and first-base prospect Nick Kurtz. With these young players and their recent acquisitions, the A’s are looking to make noise in the AL West.
What the Rays Are Getting
On the other side of the deal, the Rays are adding some intriguing pieces to their system:
- Joe Boyle: The 25-year-old right-hander is the only player in the deal with major league experience. Standing at 6-foot-7 and 240 pounds, Boyle boasts a 98-mph fastball and a devastating slider, both of which are considered well-above-average pitches. However, control has been an issue for him. In 47.2 innings this year, Boyle struck out 56 batters, walked 40, and allowed just four home runs.
- Will Simpson: A 15th-round draft pick out of Washington in 2023, Simpson climbed to AA this year after hitting .270/.373/.480 with 16 home runs and 81 RBIs in 109 games at High-A. The 6-foot-3, 225-pounder has experience at first base, third base, and the outfield.
- Jacob Watters: A fourth-round pick out of West Virginia in 2022, Watters split time between the rotation and bullpen in High-A this year. He went 6-3 with a 5.04 ERA, striking out 56 and walking 28 in 60.2 innings.
- Competitive Balance A Pick: The Rays also receive a draft pick worth around $2.5 million in bonus-pool dollars. This pick will slot two spots behind their own competitive-balance pick.
For the Rays, this trade adds depth to their farm system and provides financial flexibility, a hallmark of their front office strategy.
What’s Next for the A’s?
With the addition of Springs and Severino, the A’s are signaling that they are ready to compete now. Their willingness to spend and make bold moves is a refreshing change for fans who have endured years of cost-cutting. The AL West is wide open, and Oakland is positioning itself as a team to watch in 2024. Will these moves pay off? Only time will tell, but one thing is certain: the A’s are no longer content to sit on the sidelines.
Originally Written by: Jeff Passan
