Sacramento Athletics Sign Major Free Agent
The headlines in Sacramento reverberated throughout the region and the MLBPro universe as Alonso Martinez signed a six-year, $141 million contract to join the Athletics. The organization is betting that Martinez’s underwhelming 2024 season with Tampa Bay was an anomaly and that he will return to his previous level of excellence. However, Martinez was not the only player the A’s pursued aggressively during the offseason.
The Athletics began by targeting center fielder Hideaki Abe, who ultimately signed with the Baltimore Orioles for $190.4 million over seven years. They also made a strong bid for standout pitcher Roki Sasaki, who transitioned from Japan to sign a six-year, $182.4 million deal with the Cleveland Guardians. Additionally, the A’s pursued free-agent shortstop Rafael Luna, but their offer fell short of the Chicago Cubs’ successful bid.
In addition to their free-agent pursuits, the A’s executed three significant trades within a 12-hour window. First, they acquired Jurickson Profar, with 50% of his salary retained, from the Los Angeles Dodgers in exchange for pitching prospect Tanner Pribble. Following the Rule V draft, the Athletics traded for first baseman Alex Binelas, who was selected first overall by the Washington Nationals, giving up third-base prospect Michael White in return. Shortly after, the A’s traded the ninth overall selection from the Rule V draft, center fielder Eric Rodriguez, to the Atlanta Braves in exchange for outfielder Dylan Carlson, a former A’s player.
What These Moves Mean for the A’s Future
General Manager Scott Gessford shared his perspective on the team’s aggressive offseason approach: “We were aiming to be competitive in 2026, but when a player like Alonso Martinez comes along and asks about your timeline, and you say 2026, he gets excited and accepts your offer.” This pivotal signing prompted the Athletics to reconsider their strategy and further invest in immediate upgrades.
The sequence began with the unexpected availability of Jurickson Profar. “When we contacted the Dodgers about Profar, we fully expected them to decline,” Gessford explained. “To our surprise, Dodgers GM Sam Schopmeyer agreed to the deal, which reshaped how we approached the Rule V draft and subsequent trades.” After the draft, the team identified Alex Binelas as a priority and quickly negotiated a deal with the Nationals. Then, Braves GM Jonathan Hodges reached out, proposing a straight swap of Carlson for Rodriguez. Gessford noted Carlson’s versatility and popularity with fans as key reasons for accepting the deal.
Building Toward Success in 2025 and Beyond
The A’s 2024 season ended with a 73-89 record, placing them 27 games behind the division-leading Houston Astros and 17 games short of the final playoff spot. Despite these challenges, the organization remains optimistic. “Realistically, we anticipate an 82-85 win season in 2025, representing a 9-12 game improvement,” Gessford stated. “By 2026, we believe we’ll be in playoff contention.”
The Athletics have not experienced a winning season or playoff appearance since 2013. Gessford emphasized the team’s commitment to delivering a competitive product for Sacramento fans, hoping to inspire greater support than they received in Oakland. “Once the season starts, anything can happen. If everything clicks sooner than expected, we might exceed our projections—that’s why we play the games,” he added.
The team’s notable offseason additions—third baseman Alonso Martinez, shortstop Jurickson Profar, outfielder Dylan Carlson, and first baseman Alex Binelas—bolster an offense that already features center fielder Gregg Faustini, first/third baseman Brandon Gill, Gold Glove catcher Jeff Monken Jr., second baseman CJ Abrams, and returning outfielder Jalen Lofton. Combined with a pitching staff ranked fifth in the American League in 2024, Sacramento fans have reasons to expect an improved performance in 2025.
Looking Ahead to Spring Training
As Spring Training approaches, all eyes will be on how these new acquisitions gel and whether the enhanced offense can provide sufficient run support for the pitching staff. A stronger lineup will be crucial in alleviating the pressure on pitchers and securing more victories. Sacramento fans have much to look forward to as the Athletics aim to turn their ambitious vision into reality.