Projected Opening Day Roster: 24 Down, 2 To Go?

Rosters are constantly in flux due to injuries, as well as signings and trades, so it’s a fool’s errand to sit on December 18th and try to predict the roster on March 27th. That is why I am standing as I discuss what the roster might look like 100 days from now. Well dang, now I can’t reach the keyboard so I guess I will sit after all.

There is what we know and then there is also the other 98%, but let’s give it the ol’ whirl and see how things might be shaping up as of a week before Christmas (and yes I am hoping Blez surprises me with a pony, even though I have had that same hope 17 Christmases in a row and so far the barn is empty. Which is fine since I don’t have a barn anyway.)

Catcher (2)

This one is easy as only two catchers are even on the 40-man roster. Gone are Yohel Pozo and Carlos Perez, and while the A’s will certainly be adding someone at AAA for depth, they are poised to open the season with Shea Langeliers and Kyle McCann back as the duo charged with handling catching duties at the big league level.

Infield (5)

Tyler Soderstom, Zack Gelof, and Jacob Wilson comprise 3/4 of the projected starting infield. As for 3B, I strongly believe the A’s will be adding a player who is not yet part of the organization.

Most likely they are kicking the tires on several 3B options both free agent and trade, prepared to settle for whichever one might come together first. I would not be surprised if the A’s have had conversations around FAs Yoan Moncada, Gio Urshela, and Josh Rojas, along with Alec Bohm and Eugenio Suarez in the trade market, among others, with a “we’ll take who we can get” approach rather than targeting a “1st choice” with much resolve.

So we will call that person “Mystery 3Bman” and allocate one roster spot for him. Rounding out the projected infield is that all important “utility infielder” that appears to be a battle between Max Schuemann and Darell Hernaiz.

I see Max Schuemann winning that spot due to his advanced age and the benefit for Hernaiz to play every day at AAA honing his skills.

Outfield/DH (6)

Guaranteed spots are JJ Bleday and Lawrence Butler, along with primary DH Brent Rooker. As much as I would like the A’s to pursue a CFer and shift Bleday over to LF, I don’t think they are inclined to do it until hopefully Denzel Clarke forces his way onto the scene and that won’t be until mid-season 2025 at the earliest.

It appears they are satisfied (even if they shouldn’t be) with platooning Seth Brown and Miguel Andujar for now, and maybe awaiting the emergence of Colby Thomas as a possible future every day LFer.

As for a 5th OFer the only player on the 40 man roster with big league experience is Esteury Ruiz, once hoped to be a cornerstone in CF but now just seeking relevance as a bench player as he returns from an injury plagued 2024.

Rotation (5)

Have the A’s ever started the season with the 5 guys you had penciled in 3 months prior? Heck 2 weeks ago the rotation projected a lot differently than it does today, and more changes could ahead either by design or by necessity.

That being said, if the A’s had to play 5 games before Christmas most likely they would be started by these Fab Five: Luis Severino, Jeffrey Springs, JP Sears, Oswaldo Bido, and Mitch Spence.

Bullpen (8)

I don’t think the A’s are done addressing the bullpen. By all accounts they still have about $17M to spend on payroll and I will be surprised if the bullpen isn’t one place they spend additional funds.

So whether it’s my holy grail target, Chris Martin, or another solid “2nd tier” free agent such as Andrew Kittridge or Kirby Yates, I expect Mystery Reliever will be slotted in between closer Mason Miller and last year’s pleasant surprise set-up men Michel Otañez and Tyler Ferguson.

As for the other 4, one goes to lefty TJ McFarland and another must go to Rule 5 selection Noah Murdock. My favorites for the last two spots are Grant Holman, pushed back into lower leverage where he currently belongs, and newly acquired Jacob Lopez to give the A’s another lefty and also a “long man” who can mop up 3-4 innings when needed.

AAA Depth

If you are “first man up” at any position you can expect to see a lot of big league playing time. Just ask Max Schuemann or many of the 32 pitchers who saw time with the 2024 A’s.

If the above players comprise the big league pitching staff, the AAA rotation is currently poised to feature Joey Estes, JT Ginn, Hogan Harris, Brady Basso, and Gunnar Hoglund, with Blake Beers, Mason Barnett, and Jack Perkins on their heels. In reality one of those guys will probably break camp with the A’s but for now they comprise enviable depth.

The bullpen currently projects to be led by recent signings Anthony Maldonado and Justin Sterner, the wild Will Klein and the wooly Ryan Cusick.

In the outfield, Colby Thomas is closest though he still has many issues to work through in terms of chase rate and handling the top of the strike zone. On the infield, Darell Hernaiz can play 2B, SS, or 3B and presumably Max Muncy will see a lot of time at 3B to see if he is a potential long term solution at the hot corner.

And there you have it. 26 players, 24 of whom have names, and at least half of whom are probably right.