Athletics projected to sign former Rays pitcher to round out rotation

The Athletics are looking to parlay their best season since 2021 into an even better one in 2026. Offense was not hard to come by as the club finished the regular season with 219 home runs, which ranked them seventh across the league. 

Players like Brent Rooker, Shea Langeliers, and Tyler Sodertstrom were a large part of that. However, none larger than Nick Kurtz, who finished with 36, helping him take home the AL Rookie of the Year Award. 

It was the pitching that set this club back. They finished the season with a team ERA of 4.70, which put them in the bottom four. 

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Athletics projected to sign former Rays pitcher to round out rotation 

One thing the A's could have focused on this offseason was their starting pitching. However, they have done nothing in regard to that. 

Luis Severino was two different pitchers. He struggled mightily in home games, but was solid when he pitched anywhere else. 

With many of the free agents off the table now, there are not many options left. But, Bleacher Report's Joel Reuter believes they could come to terms with Zack Littell to round out their rotation. 

"Landing a top-tier starting pitcher this offseason was always a longshot for the Athletics, but someone like Zack Littell could make a real difference plugged into the middle of the staff."

Littell is coming off a season split with the Tampa Bay Rays and Cincinnati Reds, where he started 32 games, putting together a 10-8 record with a 3.81 ERA. 

That type of performance would drastically change the A's starting rotation outlook. And if they could generate a similar amount of offense in 2026, this team could come out and surprise a ton of fans who have not been paying attention over the past year. 

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• The new-look Cubs Opening Day lineup projection after the Alex Bregman blockbuster
• Proposed Diamondbacks trade lands them a four-time Gold Glove Award winner