5 blockbuster moves the Athletics must make this offseason ft. Extending Brent Rooker

The Oakland Athletics were not the worst team in baseball last year. They weren't the pushover they have been for the last few years, and they have a few interesting building blocks. This offseason is key to ensure they don't slide backward, and here are five moves they need to make right now to ensure they keep building toward the future.

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What the Athletics must do now

5) Extend JJ Bleday

JJ Bleday deserves an extension (Imagn)

If the Athletics are going to stop being an MLB farm system for the contenders, they're going to need to start locking down talent in the long run. That should start with JJ Bleday, who had a terrific year in his age 26 season.

After a 3.1 fWAR, .761 OPS, and 120 wRC+ season, Bleday deserves to be part of the future (perhaps not in center field, though, where his defense struggled).

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4) Extend Lawrence Butler

The A's should extend Lawrence Butler (Imagn)

Lawrence Butler was the second-best hitter in Oakland last year at age 23. He's still pre-arbitration, which makes an extension unlikely and a little bit unprecedented.

Still, there's a movement for MLB teams to extend young stars as early as possible (sometimes before their debut), and the A's should join that movement. Butler was also worth 3.3 fWAR in 125 games, so he might be poised for a breakout that will only raise his price.

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3) Sign Jeff Hoffman

The A's should sign Jeff Hoffman (Imagn)

The Athletics have put a lot of focus into their starting rotation this offseason. They traded for Jeffrey Springs and signed Luis Severino to a historic contract. Their bullpen should be addressed next, and there are several good relievers available.

Jeff Hoffman would make a perfect addition. The A's have Mason Miller at closer, so there's no reason to go after someone who filled that role. Hoffman worked a lot as a setup man, so he's a perfect addition.

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2) Extending Brent Rooker

Brent Rooker needs to be extended (Imagn)

Brent Rooker is the best offensive player the Athletics have, and in 2024, he was the seventh-best hitter in baseball by wRC+. He was only 1% worse than Vladimir Guerrero Jr. in 2024, and Rooker is still in arbitration.

The slugger is a 30-year-old DH, but the Athletics don't have a ton of talent they can lock up. Rooker's extension wouldn't be all that long, perhaps four or five years, and wouldn't be all that expensive, but it's a necessary move to keep the best hitter in-house.

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1) Sign Anthony Santander

The A's need Anthony Santander (Imagn)

Is Anthony Santander going to make the Athletics a contender? No. He is, however, going to improve their offense as they continue to get better. The Athletics have a quietly decent lineup, but it needs someone like Santander.

They also need a left fielder who is an upgrade over Miguel Andujar. Santander will cost a lot more, but he will also be a pretty significant upgrade. Santander should be signed to a three-year deal to join the Athletics.