Christine: You won a division with sixty-four wins. You sue a rival over a metal fence. And you’re hiring your fourth different front-office architect in three years. The Oakland Athletics are not playing by anyone else’s rulebook this offseason.
Jason: It’s chaos, Christine. But it’s organized chaos. We’re looking at a roster that finished 64-98, still somehow first in AL West discussions because Houston won with 81, and now we have to figure out who actually stays for Las Vegas in 2028.
Christine: Welcome to the Beatline Podcast Network. I’m Christine, alongside Jason. Today is our Roster Battles episode. We’ve got three things coming up: First, the catcher battle between Heim, Langeliers, and Serven. Second, the infield logjam with McNeil, Gelof, and Muncy. And third, my prediction on who makes the Opening Day roster in 2027.
Jason: And we’ll be referencing those prior predictions about Jeffrey Springs anchoring the rotation next year. If he’s healthy, everything changes. But right now, let’s talk position groups. Let’s start with the most critical battle behind the plate.
Christine: Jonah Heim, Shea Langeliers, Brian Serven. Three catchers. One starting spot. Who do you see winning the job?
Jason: If we’re talking baseball operations, Taylor Smith needs offense. Heim brings experience, but his defensive metrics have dipped. Langeliers has the arm and the youth, but his strikeout rate is a concern against left-handed pitching.
Christine: So you’re saying Langeliers doesn’t get it? That seems harsh given how much hype he had last spring training.
Jason: It’s not harsh, it’s tactical. Look at the platoon splits. Langeliers struggles significantly against southpaws. Heim is more consistent, even if his bat isn’t flashy. Serven is the backup who can handle the staff.
Christine: I disagree slightly. Langeliers’ framing was elite last season. If the new president of baseball operations values defense above all, he starts every day. But Heim might be the trade chip here.
Jason: That’s a real possibility. If they move to Las Vegas, maybe they want a veteran leader. But for 2027, if Jeffrey Springs is back, they need someone who can manage a young rotation. Langeliers fits that mold better than Heim.
Christine: Okay, so Langeliers starts, Heim gets traded or released, Serven is backup. Let’s move to the infield. This is where it gets messy. Jeff McNeil, Zack Gelof, Max Muncy, Joshua Kuroda-Grauer.
Jason: Gelof is in the news for a lawsuit against the Tigers, but forget the legal drama for a second. His defense at third base is questionable. Muncy is great for power, but his OBP fluctuates wildly.
Christine: Right. And McNeil is the steady hand at second. He’s not going to hit forty home runs, but he puts the ball in play. Do you keep all four?
Jason: No. You can’t fit them all. Gelof’s lawsuit might distract him, but realistically, his contract situation and defensive limitations make him expendable. Muncy is expensive. McNeil is reliable.
Christine: So who plays third? Kuroda-Grauer? He’s young, unproven in the bigs, but he’s cheap. Is that the move? Go cheap at third to save money for the bullpen?
Jason: Exactly. If you’re building for 2028 in Vegas, you don’t lock in a high-priced veteran like Muncy unless he’s an All-Star. Kuroda-Grauer offers upside. Gelof offers... well, headlines.
Christine: Headlines aren’t hits, Jason. But I see your point. So McNeil at second, Kuroda-Grauer at third, Darell Hernaiz at shortstop. What about Alika Williams? She’s been solid defensively.
Jason: Williams is a utility piece. She competes with Hernaiz for playing time. Hernaiz has more pop, but Williams has better range. It’s a classic speed vs. power debate at shortstop.
Christine: Alright, I’m sticking with Hernaiz as the starter. He’s got the bat. Williams is the insurance policy. Now, let’s look at the outfield. Lawrence Butler, Denzel Clarke, Carlos Cortes, Johnathan Rodriguez, Henry Bolte.
Jason: This group is wide open. Butler is the clear favorite for right field. He’s got the highest ceiling. Clarke and Bolte are competing for center. Rodriguez and Cortes are corner options.
Christine: Clarke had some moments last year, but his patience at the plate was lacking. Bolte is smaller, faster. Do you prefer speed in center or power?
Jason: Speed. In today’s game, you need guys who can steal bases and take extra bases. Bolte fits that. Clarke is too passive. He waits for the mistake, and if it doesn’t come, he strikes out.
Christine: I agree. Bolte is the guy. So Butler in right, Bolte in center. That leaves Rodriguez and Cortes for left. Who wins that battle?
Jason: Rodriguez has shown more power in the minors. Cortes is contact-heavy. If you’re trying to score runs, Rodriguez is the better fit. But Cortes might be safer defensively.
Christine: Safety doesn’t win games. Power does. I’m taking Rodriguez. So our outfield is Butler, Bolte, Rodriguez. Solid. Now, let’s talk pitching. We know Jeffrey Springs is the ace if healthy. Who’s the number two?
Jason: Gage Jump. He’s got the stuff. High velocity, good slider. But can he stay healthy? Joey Estes is another option, but he’s more of a back-end starter. Jacob Lopez is there too.
Christine: Jump is the pick. If Springs is out, Jump steps up. But what about the bullpen? There are so many arms here. Elvis Alvarado, Mason Barnett, Brady Basso, Hunter Bigge, Scott Blewett.
Jason: Big name heavy. Basso has been effective lately. Alvarado has the high-leverage stuff. Blewett is innings-eater. They need to pick their spots. You can’t carry all of them.
Christine: Right. So Basso and Alvarado are locks for the late-inning roles. Bigge and Blewett compete for middle relief. Who gets cut?
Jason: Hogan Harris. He’s been inconsistent. Geoff Hartlieb too. They’re depth pieces, but not core contributors. Luis Medina is also on the bubble.
Christine: Okay, so Harris and Hartlieb are gone. That opens up roster spots. Now, before we get to my final predictions, I need to ask you something important about how we keep this show running.
Jason: Oh no. Here it comes.
Christine: We produce fresh analysis every single day, diving deep into rosters, stats, and stories like the Gelof lawsuit and the Astros' historic 81-win title. It takes time, research, and passion. A small group of supporters helps keep the show free for everyone. If you love hearing these debates, please consider chipping in via the link in the episode description. Your support fuels daily content!
Jason: Thanks, listeners. That means a lot. Now, let’s wrap this up. My final roster predictions for 2027: Langeliers catches, McNeil plays second, Kuroda-Grauer at third, Hernaiz at short. Outfield: Butler, Bolte, Rodriguez. Rotation: Springs, Jump, Estes. Bullpen: Basso, Alvarado, Bigge.
Christine: I agree with almost all of that. Except I think Gelof stays longer than you think. He’s too talented to lose. But overall, a solid 75-win team is possible if Springs is healthy.
Jason: Agreed. The path to improvement is clear. Health, defense, and smart bullpen usage. That’s how you beat the Astros next year.
Christine: Thanks for listening to the Beatline Podcast Network. Subscribe, rate, and review wherever you get your podcasts. Share this episode with a fellow A’s fan. Let’s go Athletics!