Topping the list of newcomers to the organization with a chance to earn a rotation spot is right-hander Mitch Spence, whom the A’s selected first overall in last month’s Rule 5 Draft. Spence, 25, posted a 4.47 ERA in 29 starts with 153 strikeouts and 53 walks in 163 innings for Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes Barre in 2023.
Right-handers Adrián Martínez and Osvaldo Bido and left-handers Kyle Muller, Sean Newcomb and Hogan Harris represent a hybrid group of potential starters or relievers, with all five having performed both roles in the Majors last season.
Finally, the A’s adding another arm via trade or free agency before the start of Spring Training remains a real possibility.
“I’d like that,” A’s manager Mark Kotsay said when asked during the Winter Meetings if he’d like to see the club bring in a veteran starter. “But if it doesn’t happen, I’m still excited about the guys we have. Paul Blackburn has grown a lot. … I do feel like he can be a veteran that leads these young guys, and the excitement behind the young guys should bring some momentum.”