Christine: You are not going to believe what we’re about to unpack. Sixty-four wins. That’s the number that got us the AL West title. Sixty-four wins beats eighty-one. Let’s just sit with that for a second because it is absolutely mind-bending.
Jason: It defies every conventional metric in baseball. We talked about this last week, but standing alone at the top of the West with a losing record? It’s historic. And it’s weird.
Christine: Welcome to the Beatline Podcast Network! I’m Christine, your lead host, and joining me as always is our resident analyst, Jason. We are live on October 28th, 2026, and today is a special mailbag episode.
Jason: Happy Wednesday, everyone. If you’re tuning in during your commute or grabbing your morning coffee, thank you for being here. This is the daily breakdown you rely on.
Christine: Before we dive into the questions from you guys, I want to take a quick second. If these daily breakdowns help start your day right, if they’re part of your routine, please consider chipping in via the link in the episode description. Your support keeps this show free and daily, and it means the world to us.
Jason: Exactly. It’s how we keep the lights on and the facts straight. Now, let’s get to it. Today we’re answering your mailbag questions covering the bizarre standings, the new front office leadership under Taylor Smith, and some serious off-field drama involving Zack Gelof.
Christine: We’ve got three segments planned. First up: the biggest question on everyone’s lips—how did sixty-four wins win the division? Then, we’ll tackle the roster battles and depth chart puzzles ahead of Las Vegas. Finally, a fun hypothetical and a lightning round of takes. Stick with us.
Christine: Let’s jump right into Segment One. Sarah from Rochester sent in the first question, and I think she represents half the league’s confusion. She asks: 'How exactly does a team go 64-98 and still hold the division crown? Is this sustainable?'
Jason: It’s not sustainable, Sarah. Not even close. But context is everything. The Houston Astros finished at 81-81. They won the division with a winning record, but it was the worst record for a first-place team in recent memory. The Athletics just happened to be worse than them.
Christine: So it’s purely comparative. The entire division was so bad that the bar was set incredibly low.
Jason: Precisely. The Astros beat the Athletics 9-0 on Sunday in the final game. Lucas Spence had a two-run triple. Houston finishes 81-81. Oakland finishes 64-98. In any other year, both teams might be fighting for a Wild Card spot or sitting out October entirely. Here, the gap between first and last was just... different.
Christine: @RaidersRick also asked about the injuries. He says, 'The A’s entered with high hopes but were derailed by injuries. Manager Mark Kotsay said it was unlike anything he’s seen in five seasons. How much did health play a role in this weird outcome?'
Jason: A massive factor. When key players go down, the depth chart gets tested. We saw it with the pitching staff all season. But ironically, sometimes injuries hurt the opponent more. Or rather, in this case, the lack of talent across the board meant that even when you were healthy, you weren’t good enough to win games against competent teams.
Christine: So it wasn’t just that we lost games; it’s that no one else could really string together a winning season either. It’s a silver lining for non-playoff teams, as ESPN noted, but it feels hollow.
Jason: It is hollow. But it highlights why the front office move was so critical. John Fisher hiring Taylor Smith as president of baseball operations changes the trajectory. Fisher said, 'the world is run by 31-year-olds today.' He wants analytics, yes, but also new ideas.
Christine: Right, and remember Sam Fuld declined the offer. So Taylor Smith, formerly the Red Sox assistant GM, is now at the helm. This is the start of the Las Vegas era in 2028, but the foundation is being laid now. Marcus in Denver asks: 'What does Taylor Smith mean for the 2027 projection? Can we really hit 75 wins?'
Jason: I think 75 is realistic. Last year we projected it based on roster continuity. With Smith bringing in fresh analytical perspectives, and assuming health returns for guys like Jeffrey Springs, the improvement should come from better player development and smarter bullpen usage.
Christine: Speaking of health, let’s pivot to Segment Two. We have a lot of questions about the roster. Specifically, the infield logjam and the catching situation.
Christine: Emily from Chicago asks: 'Who is starting at third base next year? We have Zack Gelof, Max Muncy, Joshua Kuroda-Grauer, and Darell Hernaiz can play there too. It’s crowded.'
Jason: It is crowded. Gelof has been the everyday guy, but he’s dealing with legal issues off the field. He sued the Tigers and Ilitch Holdings over damages from hitting a metal fence at Comerica Park. That’s a distraction, but he’s still the face of the position right now.
Christine: Yikes. Hitting a metal fence? That sounds painful. And expensive for the Tigers.
Jason: Very painful. But back to the roster. If Gelof is the starter, Muncy provides power off the bench. Kuroda-Grauer is the young prospect pushing for time. Hernaiz is versatile. It’s a strength in depth, even if it creates competition.
Christine: Okay, @BaseballBob in San Diego asks about the catchers. 'Shea Langeliers is great, but who’s the backup? Jonah Heim and Brian Serven are on the roster. What’s the plan?'
Jason: Langeliers is the clear #1. Heim brings experience and defensive framing. Serven is a veteran presence. For 2027, I expect Langeliers to handle the bulk of the work behind the plate, with Heim splitting time or serving as a primary DH option to keep legs fresh.
Christine: And the pitching? We mentioned Jeffrey Springs earlier. Jason, you predicted last week that he would anchor the rotation in 2027 if healthy. Do you stand by that?
Jason: Absolutely. Springs is an ace-caliber arm when he’s on the mound. The injury history is concerning, but his stuff is elite. If he stays healthy, he’s the #1 starter. Behind him, you’ve got Henry Baez, Joey Estes, Gage Jump, Jacob Lopez, Luis Morales, Kade Morris, Braden Nett, Jack Perkins, and Springs himself. That’s a deep, young rotation.
Christine: That is a lot of arms. And the bullpen? We have Elvis Alvarado, Mason Barnett, Brady Basso, Hunter Bigge, Scott Blewett, Hogan Harris, Geoff Hartlieb, Seth Johnson, Hayden Juenger, Luis Medina, Joe Rock, Drew Rom, Chris Roycroft, and Yunior Tur.
Jason: It’s a bullpen factory. Basso and Bigge were the breakout candidates we talked about. I think one of them will step up as a closer or setup man. The rest provide innings relief. It’s a strength for a rebuilding team.
Christine: Let’s move to Segment Three. We have a fun hypothetical and then a lightning round. First, @VegasVictory asks: 'If the A’s move to Las Vegas in 2028, what’s the first thing you’d change about the ballpark experience?'
Jason: I’d want better sightlines for the outfield. West Sacramento has some blind spots. Also, maybe a bit more shade. It’s hot in Vegas.
Christine: Fair point. Okay, lightning round. Quick takes. Question: Who is the most exciting young player to watch in 2027? My vote is Lawrence Butler in right field.
Jason: Butler is dynamic. Speed, power, defense. He’s the future. But I’ll give a nod to Michael Stefanic at second base. He’s small but skilled. High contact rate. Good eye at the plate.
Christine: Stefanic is underrated. Next question: Will robot umpires become permanent? We know they flipped 54% of challenged calls in their first season, with catchers far more successful than batters.
Jason: They’re staying. The accuracy is undeniable. Catchers winning challenges more often means pitchers get fewer favorable calls on borderline pitches. It levels the playing field slightly toward hitters who can draw walks.
Christine: Last question for the segment: What’s the biggest risk for the A’s in 2027? Injury again? Or just overall talent deficit?
Jason: Talent deficit. Injuries are a constant, but the gap between 64 wins and 81 wins is skill. You need more bats, more consistent pitching. Taylor Smith knows this. He’s hired to fix it.
Christine: Alright, folks, that’s our mailbag. We covered the 64-win championship, the Taylor Smith hire, the Gelof lawsuit, and the roster battles ahead. It’s a weird year, but an exciting one for the future.
Jason: Jeffrey Springs anchoring the rotation, Basso or Bigge breaking out, and a path to 75 wins. Those are our predictions. Let’s see if they hold true.
Christine: If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, rate, and review us wherever you listen. Share it with a friend who needs to understand why sixty-four wins won the division.
Jason: Thanks for listening. Keep it locked with the Beatline Podcast Network.
Christine: This is Christine, signing off with Jason. Go Athletics!