The Athletics have acquired left-handed pitcher in a multi-player trade with the Rays.

The Athletics have acquired left-handed pitcher in a multi-player trade with the Rays.

The Athletics are reshaping their pitching rotation ahead of their move to Sacramento. On Saturday, they traded for left-handed pitcher Jeffrey Springs from the Tampa Bay Rays, adding him to their staff alongside lefty Jacob Lopez. In exchange, the A’s sent right-handed pitchers Joe Boyle and Jacob Watters, infielder Will Simpson, and a competitive balance pick in the 2025 amateur draft to the Rays.

 

 

 

 

 

 

This trade is a significant move as the A’s prepare for their inaugural season in West Sacramento, where they’ll play at Sutter Health Park for the next three years while eyeing a future move to Las Vegas. Earlier this month, the team also signed veteran right-hander Luis Severino to a $67 million, three-year deal. After finishing 69-93, the A’s bid farewell to Oakland after 57 years.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

General manager David Forst expressed his excitement, saying the team has been looking for starting pitching since the offseason and had been in trade discussions with the Rays since mid-October. Springs, 32, is recovering from Tommy John surgery and made a successful return in 2023, posting a 3.27 ERA in seven starts before being shut down due to elbow fatigue. He is set to earn $10.5 million annually over the next two years as part of a four-year, $31 million contract. Springs had an outstanding 2022 season, going 9-5 with a 2.46 ERA.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lopez, 26, made his MLB debut in 2023 with a 1-0 record and 4.76 ERA. Boyle, 25, struggled with control in 16 major league games but shows promise, while Simpson, 23, had a strong minor league season with 18 home runs and 90 RBIs. Watters, 23, has a 5.86 ERA in his minor league career.