On Halloween 2017, Dodgers fans in costume filled Dodger Stadium for Game 6 of the World Series, sparking a nostalgic look at baseball’s creepiest moments. The post highlights Albert Belle’s 1995 trick‑or‑treat incident, his corked‑bat scandal, Randy Johnson’s accidental bird kill, a black cat disrupting a 1969 Cubs‑Mets game, and the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake that halted the A’s‑Giants World Series. It also recalls eerie Red Sox highlights like David Ortiz’s bullpen phone smash and Curt Schilling’s ‘Bloody Sock.’ The author asks readers to share their own spooky MLB memories.
The Athletics’ front office is scouting affordable starting‑pitching options for a 2027 push, eyeing either a trade or a low‑cost free‑agent deal. Candidates include Red Sox right‑hander Brayan Bello, whose 2026 turnaround yielded a 2.12 ERA and a sinker that generates 52.6% ground balls, and Tampa Bay’s Drew Rasmussen, a potential #1 starter whose 2027 salary spikes to $20 M and may be available via trade. Both fit Oakland’s budget constraints—Bello at roughly $12 M a year on a four‑year pact, Rasmussen potentially fetchable with savvy asset swapping—offering the A’s a quality SP without over‑extending their payroll.
The Yankees should revisit a potential trade for Oakland’s right‑handed catcher Shea Langeliers this winter, but only with a firm price ceiling. New York contacted the A's in July but talks stalled, and no renewed negotiations have been confirmed. Langeliers, a 2025 31‑home‑run hitter and 2026 All‑Star, returned from meniscus surgery in September and is under contract through 2028, giving Oakland leverage. Acquiring him would give Aaron Boone a left‑handed pitching matchup option and backup to Austin Wells, though the cost could involve multiple young, controllable players.
MLB free agency is right around the corner (November 2) now that the World Series is concluded. On Friday, the Athletics made an official decision regarding former New York Mets star Jeff McNeil, deciding his offseason fate. Reports indicate that the Athletics opted to decline the club option for the 34-year-old infielder. Left-handed pitcher Jeffrey […]
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The Oakland Athletics have officially declined the 2027 club options for infielder Jeff McNeil and left‑handed starter Jeffrey Springs, making both veterans unrestricted free agents. Both players were owed over $15 million after under‑whelming 2026 seasons—McNeil posted a .264/.313/.368 line with nine homers, while Springs surrendered 35 home runs, 23 at Sutter Health Park, despite leading the team in starts (29) and innings (142.2). The moves clear roster space for younger talent, while the A’s await confirmation on Luis Severino’s $22 million option for 2027.
The Athletics announced that they have declined club options on left-hander Jeffrey Springs and infielder/outfielder Jeff McNeil. Both players are now free agents. More to come.
Sonny Gray is back on the free-agent market after his mutual option was declined, giving contenders a chance to add an experienced starter. After stops with the Athletics, Yankees, Twins, and Red Sox, Gray enjoyed some of his best seasons in the NL with the Cincinnati Reds and St. Louis Cardinals. A return to the […]
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Jeff Criswell's 2026 comeback after Tommy John elbow surgery proves rocky. Drafted by Oakland in 2020, he was traded to Colorado in 2023, struggled in the minors, and underwent surgery in March 2025. After a rehab stint in April‑May (10.2 innings, 5.91 ERA) he returned to the Rockies bullpen in June, posting two scoreless innings at 95‑96 MPH but was quickly optioned. A July 11 start against the Reds turned disastrous: an inside‑the‑park homer by Spencer Steer, a solo shot by Elly De La Cruz, and a dip to 94.3 MPH led to a 15‑day IL for a shoulder strain. Criswell ended the season with 41.2 innings over 35 appearances across four levels, finishing with the Triple‑A Isotopes.
The Red Sox begin trimming their roster ahead of free agency, trading utility outfielder Nate Eaton to the Oakland Athletics and infielder Tsung‑Che Cheng to the Detroit Tigers. Both moves satisfy a 40‑man roster rule requiring four cuts. Eaton, prized for speed and versatility, returns an 18‑year‑old Nicaraguan pitcher, Jareth Rayo, while Cheng, who made key defensive plays during Boston’s 15‑game win streak, brings cash back. The deals underscore Boston’s focus on shedding players with limited power and upside as they eye a 95‑win season.
The A’s Sluggers barely got a chance to hit in Sacramento this summer. I think that makes them all buy lows...
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The Oakland Athletics jump-start their offseason with a trade that sends 29‑year‑old Nate Eaton from the Red Sox for 18‑year‑old Dominican pitcher Jareth Rayo. Eaton, a versatile outfielder/third‑baseman with elite speed and arm strength, joins an A’s roster that may see Denzel Clarke and Carlos Cortes reassigned to Triple‑A. New president of baseball operations Taylor Smith, who just arrived from Boston, promises further moves as teams brace for a possible lockout on Dec. 1. The article also notes the Brewers’ first World Series parade and outlines upcoming roster decisions for Oakland.
The Mariners announce key roster moves as the offseason begins: they claim former Giants outfielder Grant McCray off waivers and decide on three team options, while staff debate Joe Espada versus Jason Kanzler for the managerial job. Across MLB, the A’s trade for outfielder Nate Eaton from Boston, the Tigers acquire infielder Tsung‑Che Cheng, and the Astros target Brewers’ Matt Kleine for their GM spot. Additional notes include Tatsuya Imai staying with Houston and Dustin May entering free agency.
The Phillies announce catcher Garrett Stubbs will be designated for assignment as they chase deeper rotation options and aim to treat every month of next season like August 26. The brief roundup also flags upcoming free‑agent rankings, a Red Sox‑Athletics trade, and confirms Tatsuya Imai and Bo Bichette remain with their current clubs.
The Oakland Athletics have outrighted six players to Triple‑A Las Vegas after they cleared waivers, trimming their offseason roster from 46 to 41. The moved players include right‑handers Henry Baez, Joey Estes and Geoff Hartlieb, catcher Brian Serven, infielder Michael Stefanic and outfielder Johnathan Rodríguez. Estes logged 127⅔ innings for the A’s in 2024 with a 5.01 ERA, while Hartlieb (7.16 ERA) and Serven (.175/.224/.375) have struggled at the major‑league level. Stefanic posted a brief .346 line in limited action, and Rodríguez, a former high‑performing Triple‑A talent, remains unable to translate success to the big leagues. Baez, a former Padres prospect, posts a 7.09 ERA in Double‑A. All six now face minor‑league free agency eligibility.
The Red Sox swung a trade with the Athletics on Thursday afternoon, acquiring 18-year-old right-hander Jareth Rayo for outfielder Nate Eaton. The deal represents the first trade of the offseason, less than 24 hours after the World Series concluded Wednesday night. It also marks the first transaction between Red Sox chief baseball officer Craig Breslow … Continue reading "Who did Red Sox acquire from Athletics for Nate Eaton?"
The Oakland Athletics have traded for outfielder Nate Eaton from the Boston Red Sox, sending minor‑league right‑hander Jareth Rayo to Boston. Eaton, a 30‑year‑old who struggled with a .160/.300/.260 line this season, offers elite speed (96th‑percentile sprint) and solid defense, making him a potential bench asset for the A’s. The move helps Boston clear 40‑man roster space as the injured list ends, while Oakland, now led by former Red Sox exec Taylor Smith, adds a controllable player to compete with Henry Bolte, Lawrence Butler and Tyler Soderstrom for outfield depth. Rayo, a recent Nicaraguan signing, posted a 5.50 ERA in the Dominican Summer League.
The Boston Red Sox have made the first reported trade of the MLB offseason, sending outfielder Nate Eaton to the Athletics, according to MLB insider Bob Nightengale. The details of the deal remain limited, with no additional information available yet regarding Boston’s return. More updates are expected as the transaction develops. Eaton, a left fielder, […]
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Less than 24 hours after the World Series wrapped up, marking the end of the 2026 MLB season, the Boston Red Sox and Athletics made the first trade of the offseason.
Boston kicked off the offseason activity by trading a utility outfielder.
After a chaotic offseason that saw José Suárez DFA’d twice, the right‑hander returns to the Atlanta Braves only to make eight appearances in 2026 before being cut again. He earns a spot on the Opening Day roster, starts the season opener against the Athletics, and later dominates the Nationals in a brief spot start, but his 6.60 ERA and 15.2% walk rate undermine his solid 2.73 FIP and low HR/FB rate. The Mariners claim him briefly, then he lands with Oakland, posting a respectable 0.6 fWAR over 36 games before being released in September. Suárez’s season highlights include a 2.7% barrel rate (99th percentile) and a 32.3% hard‑hit rate (91st percentile).
The Lookout Landing column spotlights under‑the‑radar candidates the Seattle Mariners could tap as they overhaul their coaching staff. From the AL West, 56‑year‑old Todd Takayoshi, the Oakland A’s minor‑league hitting coordinator, brings 20+ years of player‑development experience and local Seattle ties. In the NL West, the piece highlights 33‑year‑old Nic Wilson, the Colorado Rockies’ assistant hitting coach praised for elite communication skills, and 42‑year‑old Ryley Westman, the San Diego Padres’ director of player development known for his versatile coaching background and strong rapport with young talent. The article skips the Dodgers and Astros, focusing on these three prospects as potential Mariners hires.
Shane Mack, a 1984 U.S. Olympic baseball silver‑medalist and two‑time UCLA All‑American, became one of the era’s most successful Rule 5 Draft picks. Drafted 11th overall by the San Diego Padres in 1984, he debuted in May 1987 after a strong minor‑league run and filled in for an injured Steve Garvey. Over nine MLB seasons Mack posted a .299 career average, won a World Series, and played for the Padres, Twins, Red Sox, Athletics and Royals. The #CardCorner post highlights his standout high‑school record of 16 straight hits, his decision to attend UCLA over a $42,000 bonus, and his enduring legacy as a versatile outfielder.
With the Brewers clinching their first championship, the MLB offseason officially kicks off and the Athletics face crucial roster decisions. A five‑day free‑agency clock starts now, but a looming lockout may prompt teams to lock in targets before Dec. 1. Oakland must decide on two $15‑$15.75 M player options—Jeff McNeil and pitcher Jeffrey Springs—both likely to be declined, while right‑hander Luis Severino’s $22 M option is expected to be exercised. The A’s have payroll flexibility to add a reliever and will need to replace McNeil and Springs, eyeing internal talent like Zack Gelof and external starters. The article outlines these moves and the broader offseason landscape for A’s fans.
Sportsnaut outlines one likely trade target from each AL West club ahead of the 2027 season. The Astros could move 35‑year‑old first baseman Christian Walker—who’s hit 25+ homers for five straight years—if a team like the Diamondbacks, Guardians or Tigers bites. The Rangers may flip left‑hander MacKenzie Gore, whose 2026 season posted a 4.58 ERA and 1.34 WHIP, to suitors such as the Marlins, Mets or Tigers. Seattle’s durable right‑hander Logan Gilbert, a $15 million man with a 3.60 ERA over 2021‑26, might be dealt if the Mariners choose a rebuild, with the Cubs, Diamondbacks or Padres in the mix. Oakland’s catcher Shea Langeliers is also flagged as a potential mover. Each player’s contract status and recent performance fuel the speculation.
Game 4 of the World Series delivers an extra‑inning drama as Brewers rookie Cooper Pratt’s solo homer gives a 3‑2 lead, only for the Rays to rally with two runs in the bottom of the 12th, tying the series for a decisive Game 5 tonight at 5 p.m. PT. Meanwhile, MLB faces a possible lockout starting Dec. 1 over a salary‑cap debate, threatening a delayed 2027 season and limiting offseason transactions. The Athletics, constrained by payroll, are unlikely to chase elite left‑hander Tarik Skubal but may target free‑agent arms like Clay Holmes or Nick Martinez, or seek trades under new president of baseball operations Taylor Smith. Fans are urged to enjoy the showdown before the looming offseason lull.