Adding a quality starting pitcher without gutting your roster of talented position players or blowing up the budget is the ultimate tightrope walk for any team, especially for the A’s looking toward their 2027 season. Money for free agents who don’t exactly list West Sacramento or Las Vegas as their dream destinations is tight, and starting pitching is always at a premium. So, how do you find that arm when nearly 40 other teams are on the hunt too? Some big names, like Clay Holmes with his extreme ground ball tendencies, have come up as a terrific fit. The A’s did go big once with Luis Severino, and it had mixed results, so maybe a trade for a pitcher with some “warts” but immense potential is the smarter play. Taylor Smith is definitely looking for those “out of the box” possibilities to compete in 2027.
Brayan Bello: From Bullpen Star to Rotation Steal?
Brayan Bello is one intriguing name that tops the list, partly because of Smith’s existing relationship with his former club, the Red Sox, which was already shown in the minor deal for Nate Eaton. Bello’s 2026 season kicked off rougher than a tough outing in West Sacramento, pitching himself right out of the rotation in the first half with a ghastly 6.06 ERA, surrendering 11 home runs and 80 hits across just 65.1 innings. Yikes. But then, he completely flipped the script in the second half, albeit from the bullpen. He posted a stellar 2.12 ERA over 51 innings and gave up just a single home run. That’s a serious turnaround!
Why might Bello be a hidden treasure for the A’s to target? First, his stuff has always screamed “front of the rotation” when he can harness it. We’re talking a career fastball velocity of 95.7 MPH (and 95.8 MPH in 2026), a sharp slider, and a plus changeup. Second, he throws a heavy sinker that generates a ton of ground balls, 52.6% career, which is a perfect fit for the A’s. And third, his recent struggles, the questions about whether he’s a starter or reliever, and his contract ($49.5 million over four years from 2026-29 with a $1 million buyout for 2030) mean the price to acquire him should be low. If Bello can be a solid mid-rotation starter, he’s an absolute steal at around $12 million a year for four seasons. Even as a key plus reliever, he’d be valuable.
Aiming High: The Drew Rasmussen Dream
Then there’s Drew Rasmussen. Hey, you gotta aim high sometimes, right? Rasmussen is a true number one starting pitcher when he’s healthy. He’s exactly the kind of ace the A’s would love to add to their staff. Normally, a pitcher of his caliber would be completely out of the question for a team like the A’s, but current circumstances might just put him into the conversation.
What’s next for the A’s as they chase down a 2027 rotation arm is anyone’s guess, but Taylor Smith definitely has some intriguing, unconventional options on his radar.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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