Baseball season is right around the corner and there are going to be some very fun teams to watch. Yes there are the juggernaut teams like the Dodgers and the Mets, but there are also teams that are going to show signs of being competitive.

I’d highly recommend tuning into the Reds, Royals, Nationals, and the Tigers just to name a new. But the one team that could actually be a lot of fun is the Athletics.

The Athletics Have an Established Core

It’s actually crazy to say, but the Athletics have a core in place. The crazy part is they now have it and this is after they’ve managed to dismantle the old core and parting ways with caliber talents such as Matt Olson, Matt Chapman, and Sean Murphy to name a few. But this team has a core in place and key pieces that they are building around. Not to mention, these pieces are fun to watch and also have taken some steps forward in their careers.

Let’s start with the players they not only have as their core, but the players they’ve paid to ensure they will be the core players. Brent Rooker is a pillar to this offense. Rooker signed a five year, $60 million contract that takes him to free agency in 2030. Rooker was a 5 win player last year for the Athletics and at one point was sought after at the trade deadline. Instead, he is a core piece to the Athletics and deservedly so.

Rooker is coming off his most productive season with the Athletics. He hit 30+ home runs for the second year in a row and drove in 112 runs. Also, he set a career best 164 wRC+, being 64% better than the league average hitter. Rooker does it all for the Athletics and is a hard contact hitter, having a good barrel rate and ability to make hard contact.

The next piece they’ve established as a core player is none other than Lawrence Butler. He has played two seasons for the Athletics, but he broke out of his shell in 2024 and earned himself a seven year, $66 million contract. Butler is like Rooker, a special blend of raw power as an outfielder. Butler hit 22 home runs, drove in 57 runs, and stole 18 bases. He faired out much better in his second stint with the club, hitting .262 and with a .807 OPS. Butler is an electrifying player, and is an easy player to root for. Facing him is never fun, as that ball had a 50% medium contact rate, and 37% hard contact. He’s been a machine in spring training and is a foundational piece that likes being a member of the A’s.

Lawrence Butler last year was the:

– 2nd A’s player with 2 3-HR games in a season (1996 Gerónimo Berroa)
– 3rd player age 24 or younger with 2 3-HR gms in a szn (2016 Mookie Betts & 1947 Ralph Kiner)
– 3rd player w/2 3-HR gms batting leadoff in a szn (‘24 Schwarber, ‘18 Betts) https://t.co/XrVfvrd18r

— Sarah Langs (@SlangsOnSports) March 7, 2025

“Hey, whatever the organization chooses to do, I’m happy with it,” Butler said Wednesday in the A’s clubhouse when asked about the possibility of an extension. “I love being here. I’m excited to be here. I’m excited to play here. So, yeah, no comment on that.”

The team also has special talents at the plate, such as JJ Bleday, Shane Langeliers, and Tyler Soderstrom. That’s just at the plate, the stuff on the mound is something to be excited about.

One of the Most Electrifying Pitchers in Baseball

The Athletics have one of the most electrifying pitchers in the entire sport with Mason Miller. The Gardner Webb University Alum has carved out a good career for himself. Miller is one of the best closers in baseball, and pitched like one.

Miller finished with the 11th most saves (28), which is pretty remarkable given the As status. Also, he finished with the second most strikeouts among relievers while posting a 2.49 ERA.

Miller saw growth in his game. His innings increased, strikeouts went up, ERA and WHIP went way down. All signs of a player truly improving their craft. Miller is as electric as they come, ranking in the 100th percentile for strikeout rate, whiff rate, velocity, and also the 99th percentile for chase rate. Miller relies heavily on his fastball, that averages 100 MPH and was virtually untouchable, having a .178 batting average against with it.

Mason Miller’s Slider had a 47% Whiff Rate in 2024.

Here’s a look at why. 😳 pic.twitter.com/fL3NfNshNC

— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) February 12, 2025

What’s also really mean is the slider he pairs with it, making for a very deadly combination. The slider was his top put away pitch, while also having a 47% whiff rate against it. It’s just plain mean, but truly electrifying to watch when he’s on the mound.

These players help shape the core, but for the first time in a long time, the ownership group supplemented it and spent money.

A Team Buying In

This just isn’t fair to the loyal fan base that is in Oakland. Those fans deserve better and they deserved to watch a team that was taken seriously enough. Welp, the front office actually made moves and good ones at that. Not only did they pay Rooker and Butler to be part of this core, they’ve supplemented it.

The A’s handed out their largest contract ever, giving it to pitcher Luis Severino. Severino had a promising year under the Mets and now becomes the new front line starter for the A’s. Also, they’ve traded for pitcher Jeffrey Springs, who gives them enormous depth at the position.

One of the biggest pieces to watch for is Joey Estes. Along with Osvaldo Bido. Estes saw his biggest workload with the team and will look to continue to develop further.

Eventually, Tommy Tanks aka Tommy White will make his arrival and short stop Jacob Wilson will also arrive in 2025. These are exciting times for the Athletics, despite having to play in a minor league ball park.