headtopics
As the Athletics look to strengthen their pitching staff this offseason, they must explore every avenue—both via trade and free agency. So far, the club has added Nate Eaton from the Red Sox but has yet to make any moves to upgrade the rotation. The offseason is still in its early stages, and only a handful of pitchers have signed elsewhere, such as former Dodgers closer Evan Phillips joining the Braves.
One potential target that has emerged is Brewers right-hander Brandon Woodruff, who is coming off a World Series championship with Milwaukee. Woodruff, 33, has spent his entire nine-year big-league career with the Brewers, but his injury history could prompt both sides to consider a change. He hasn't thrown more than 150 innings since 2022, and his highest workload since then was just 67 innings in 2023. Despite those concerns, when healthy, Woodruff pitches like a true ace—a quality the Athletics currently lack.
Why Woodruff Makes Sense for the A's
Because of his injury record, Woodruff could likely be acquired at a discounted price, making him an attractive option for a team unwilling to commit long-term dollars to a frontline starter. However, adding Woodruff alone won't be enough; the Athletics would still need to bring in additional arms to seriously contend in 2027. If Woodruff is fully healthy by spring training, he could challenge for the Opening Day starter role—a spot that Luis Severino has held for the past two seasons. While Severino is set to return, his recent performance hasn't necessarily locked down the job for a third straight year.
Inserting Woodruff into a rotation that includes JT Ginn, Severino, Gage Jump, and Jacob Lopez would give the Athletics a solid core. Yet, with only Severino and Woodruff possessing significant MLB experience, the team must prioritize adding more proven depth this winter. Expect the A's to pursue Woodruff if he becomes available, but they will also need to address other areas to complete their rotation.
Originally reported by headtopics.