A’S ARMS RACE

The biggest storyline of A’s spring training right now is the battle for the final spots in the starting rotation. With Luis Severino, Jeffrey Springs, and JP Sears locked in, the competition for the last two spots has been intense. Osvaldo Bido seemed like a frontrunner early on, but inconsistency has put his role in jeopardy. Meanwhile, Joey Estes hasn’t done enough to separate himself, opening the door for breakout performances from Mitch Spence and Brady Basso, both of whom have been dominant so far. Hogan Harris remains a long shot due to command issues, but with a few strong outings, he could force his way into the conversation. With about four more starts left before decisions are made, there’s still time for surprises, but right now, Spence seems to be surging ahead of Estes for that final rotation spot.

The bullpen battle is just as fierce, with only four open spots and a crowded field of arms competing. Tyler Ferguson’s rough spring has left his role uncertain, while Rule 5 pick Noah Murdock is holding his own but hasn’t solidified his place. Lefty Jacob Lopez impressed in his first outing, giving him an early edge, while surprise performances from Elvis Alvarado and Grant Holman are making things even more complicated. The A’s have to balance experience, roster constraints, and upside, which makes these final bullpen decisions extremely tough. Meanwhile, the position player battle is equally unpredictable, with CJ Alexander’s versatility keeping him in the mix despite his slump, and Alejo Lopez making a strong case with his red-hot bat. With just a few weeks left, every at-bat and inning pitched matters as these players fight for their place on the Opening Day roster.