Preseason Preview Day 15: Athletics & Colorado Rockies
Oakland Athletics
I had to save the best for last..lol. Everyone’s least favorite owner, John Fisher, somehow weaseled his way out of Oakland as he plans to ship the A’s out to Vegas. To do so, they are taking a multi-year pit stop in Sacramento, in a minor league stadium. I think all baseball fans have a soft spot for the Oakland fans, as both their teams have been ripped away from them over the past 5-10 years.
Heading into 2025, there is not some big expectation for these A’s to do much. HOWEVER, I am of the belief that this team is about to surprise everyone and win a bunch of games. In a shocking turn of events, the A’s inked Luis Severino to a record deal (organizational record) to come over and lead their rotation for the next few seasons. Behind Sevy, they added Jeffrey Springs, as well as former Yankee prospects JP Sears and Luis Medina. Not a rotation that is going to exactly push 850 innings, but at least a rotation with some names. Fireballer Mason Miller looks to build off a dominant 2024 where he seemingly became a household name for us baseball junkies.
The lineup returns all-star and proven star Brent Rooker, who signed an extension to stay with the A’s for the long term. Behind Rooker, Lawrence Butler looks to follow the same path into stardom as the young outfielder had a monster 2024. Esteury Ruiz looks to support Rooker & Butler in the outfield with former top pick JJ Bleday looking to turn into the guy he was drafted to be. Veteran Gio Urshela was brought in through free agency to provide a steady bat and excellent defense in the corners, with Zac Gelof, Max Schuemann and catcher Shea Langeliers, who is a guy to watch here in 2025, rounding out the infield.
With Draftkings putting their win total at 71.5, I am going to take the over. I think the A’s are going to push a .500 record here in 2025, as Brent Rooker and Lawrence Butler might emerge as a legit combo to be dealt with. The pitching is going to be the issue for this version of the A’s, but with some contributions from young talent and a steady 170 innings from Sevy could prove to be the difference.
Colorado Rockies
Alright, I actually saved the worst for last. The Rockies, in my opinion, are a sad franchise. Given the altitude advantage/disadvantage, they will never ever ever be able to bring in premier pitching, so it is entirely on their player development teams to draft and mold young pitchers into legit talent. However, it becomes hard to tell how good these guys actually are because they come up and all their numbers are inflated negatively due to the altitude.
The Rockies have been on a decline for a few years now following the Story, Arenado, Blackmon teams, 2025 doesn’t look to be the year they will turn it around. The rotation and bullpen, as always, are going to be quite thin. Long time Rockies German Marquez and Kyle Freeland will stack up as a solid 1-2 punch. After that, I am sorry, none of these guys are looking to be all that exciting. Expect a team ERA inching toward the 5.5 range, as they find themselves in an absolute gauntlet of a division and project to be at the bottom of the barrel.
If you are a Rockies fan, there are some position players to be excited about. Ezequiel Tovar had a monster season at short, and is on the brink of becoming a top shortstop in the league. Bringing in Thairo Estrada will help their depth and lineup credibility, with veteran Ryan McMahon anchoring the middle of the lineup. Assuming health, Kris Bryant will pencil in somewhere in the middle of the lineup, with young CF Brenton Doyle looking to take the next step in his big league journey - another guy who has immense talent and is worth getting excited over. Nolan Jones and Michael Toglia look to improve upon solid starts to their careers, maybe slug a little bit in the Colorado air.
The Rockies, according to Draftkings, project to win 58.5 games. Wow, astonishingly low. We are going to take this over, I am never going to wish it upon a team to lose over 100 games. Look at the brightside if you’re a Rockies fan and really lean into Doyle and Tovar headlining your rebuild for a few years to come.
