The Athletics are practically done for the season. One more loss for them or a Houston Astros win means they’re officially eliminated from postseason contention. What a rough ride it’s been. This whole season has been a massive disappointment for the A’s, especially with them heading into their final year in West Sacramento before making the move to Las Vegas. You know what’s been killing them? A complete lack of quality arms on the pitching staff. It’s truly hurting their chances of putting a competitive roster on the field.
Springs’ Season Went South, FAST
Their starting rotation needs a serious overhaul, like two or three new additions for 2027. And let’s be real, a few of the A’s starters from this year are definitely not coming back. Jeffrey Springs should be at the top of that list, according to Zachary Rotman over at FanSided. Rotman wrote that Springs had a “solid year” last season and the team was hoping he’d be an “innings eater” again in 2026. Yeah, about that… after a genuinely great start, the dude has become “one of the worst pitchers in the sport.” That’s a brutal assessment, but the numbers don’t lie.
Springs kicked off the season with a sick 1.46 ERA through his first four starts. We’re talking lights out, right? But since then? It’s been an absolute nightmare. He’s posted a staggering 7.09 ERA in 22 starts. His overall 6.02 ERA is literally the worst among all 82 pitchers who have thrown at least 130 innings this season. You can’t make this stuff up. How do you go from that hot start to *that* bad? It’s almost unbelievable.
$15 Million Decision That’s a No-Brainer
With Springs being called “one of the worst pitchers in the sport,” the A’s just cannot afford to keep guys like that around. They desperately need proven arms, guys who can actually keep the offense in striking distance on any given night. Springs has a $15 million club option for 2027, and let me tell you, it would be a “major shock” if the A’s actually picked that up. Nothing, absolutely nothing, about the left-hander’s performance this season suggests he’s worth anywhere close to that cash. It’s just not happening.
The A’s have a decision to make, and it feels like a really easy one to me. They’ve gotta cut ties and look to bring in some real talent that can help them before their big move to Vegas. This team needs a fresh start on the mound, and that means moving on from pitchers who are costing them games.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by The Sporting News.
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