Thanksgiving's over, the last of the leftovers are gone, and maybe you're still recovering from awkward family encounters. But forget about that! Because the baseball world is about to explode with action – it's officially Hot Stove season! Forget those minor league call-ups; we're talking about significant moves that could reshape teams. Let's dive into what the Oakland A's should be doing as December rolls in, and trust me, some of these ideas are going to raise eyebrows.
Brendan Donovan: A Versatile Target... Or Overrated?
Donovan checks a lot of boxes: he's a left-handed hitter with a knack for getting on base, and he's a dependable defender at second base. But here's where it gets controversial... I'm officially off the "pursue Donovan" bandwagon. Why? Simple economics: supply and demand.
Rumor has it, half the league is drooling over Donovan's versatility, his solid performance record, and his team-friendly contract (he's arbitration-eligible for two more years). This means any team that lands him will likely be dragged into a fierce bidding war, and that's a battle the A's should avoid at all costs. Donovan is a solid everyday player, no doubt, but he's not worth sacrificing a top-tier prospect like Gage Jump. The A's can find a capable infielder without gutting their farm system. There are other fish in the sea, and some might even be cheaper and just as effective.
Sung-Mun Song & Jake Cronenworth: A Two-Pronged Plan?
Sung-Mun Song could be a valuable addition to the A's, and the projected price tag of around 3 years for $15 million seems reasonable. However, Korean media suggests he might be leaning towards signing with the San Diego Padres. And this is the part most people miss... This potential signing could open up an even more intriguing possibility: a trade for veteran first/second baseman Jake Cronenworth.
Now, before we get ahead of ourselves, Cronenworth has spent some time at first base. With Luis Arraez entering free agency, there might be room for both Song and Cronenworth on the right side of the Padres' infield. Plus, Song hasn't officially signed anything yet. But let's imagine Song does go to San Diego, and the Padres view Cronenworth more as a trade asset than a long-term first base solution (his career .406 slugging percentage isn't exactly screaming "power hitter"). In that scenario, the A's could swoop in and solve their second base problem... at least for a while.
Cronenworth is under contract through 2030 with a very manageable $11.43 million annual salary. Even with the arrival of young prospect Leo DeVries, there's room in the infield for Kurtz, Wilson, DeVries, and another reliable everyday player. Cronenworth will be 32 in January, meaning he's signed through his age-36 season. He should be a very good to solid player during that time, thanks to skills like excellent plate discipline that tend to age well. He's a left-handed hitter, coming off his best on-base percentage season (.367 with a 13.4% walk rate), and he's been an average defender at second base throughout his career. He did have a down year defensively in 2025, so the A's would need to be convinced that it was due to injury or random chance, not age-related decline.
We know the Padres are looking to replenish their farm system after sending a chunk of it to the A's in the Mason Miller trade. They're also in win-now mode. Perhaps a package built around a prospect from the Colby Thomas (ready now) or Tommy White (future potential) group, or even a pitching prospect like Mason Barnett, JT Ginn, or Kade Morris, would be enough to entice San Diego to part with Cronenworth. Personally, I'd be willing to sacrifice any of those prospects to make it happen.
Free Agent Pitchers: A Risky Proposition?
This is inherently a challenging area for the A's, given their current stadium situation, which is essentially a Triple-A facility combined with a home run haven. And let's be honest, free agent starting pitchers are often wildly overpaid. The A's aren't going to, and shouldn't, overspend on top-tier guys like Framber Valdez or Ranger Suarez.
But there are some pitchers out there who the A's could realistically target. Let's call them my "holy grails" – pitchers I'd be thrilled to see in Oakland, even if it requires stretching the budget a bit.
One is Chris Bassitt, a familiar face from his six seasons in Oakland. Bassitt's contract won't break the bank (MLB Trade Rumors projects 2 years for $38 million), and while he's not a true number two starter at this point, he could be a solid number three with his diverse arsenal of pitches and his ability to consistently throw strikes (his walk rate has been below 3.00 in six of his last seven seasons). The A's might have an edge by offering one more year than other teams are willing to commit to. If Bassitt's market is two years, offer three. If he's offered three, guarantee four. Bassitt will be 37 when the 2026 season starts, but his ability to thrive in the bullpen, as we saw in the postseason, makes him a potential plus reliever at the tail end of his contract if he loses some zip as a starter.
My other "holy grail" is Tyler Rogers, who turns 35 next month. I'd suggest the same strategy: offer one more year than anyone else. His unique style ages exceptionally well since he doesn't rely on velocity and has pinpoint control. MLB Trade Rumors projects Rogers to get a two-year deal (2 years for $18 million). I would, without hesitation, offer Rogers 3 years for $27 million, the same average annual value but with an extra year. I'd even be open to a four-year deal in the low $30 million range. I think Rogers will be effective for a long time, and, as a bonus, his submarine delivery is considered the least stressful on the arm, significantly reducing his injury risk. That's worth a premium.
Land Cronenworth, Bassitt, and Rogers for roughly a $30 million increase in payroll and the loss of a mid-tier prospect, with Gage Jump and Leo DeVries knocking on the door in Triple-A, and I'll put the A's up against the Seattle Mariners, or anyone else, in 2026!
So, do all that, or don't... but do something, because the hot stove is sizzling, and I'm hungry for some exciting moves!
Now, it's your turn! Do you agree with these potential moves? Are there other players the A's should be targeting? Is offering an extra year to older players a smart strategy, or a recipe for disaster? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below! Let's get this discussion rolling!
