The Oakland A’s have secured the services of left-handed pitcher Jeffrey Springs in a six-player trade with the Tampa Bay Rays, sources told ESPN.
The A’s are continuing their efforts to make the team more competitive with a significant increase in their payroll as they begin their first season in Sacramento.
Springs and one other player will move to the A’s while right-handers Joe Boyle and Jacob Watters, first baseman Will Simpson and a draft pick will go to the Rays.
Pushing their payroll into the $100 million range, the A’s acquired Springs – who is due to make $10.5 million in each of the next two seasons. The club also has a $15 million option for 2027.
Springs, 32, was 2-2 with a 3.27 ERA and 37 strikeouts against 11 walks in 33 innings in his seven starts. He returned from Tommy John surgery last season after suffering a torn ulnar collateral ligament in his left elbow in 2023.
Springs will join Severino and JP Sears in a rotation that could also include left-hander Hogan Harris and right-handers Joey Estes, Mitch Spence, Osvaldo Bido or Luis Medina.
The A’s went 69-93 this year and with a core of designated hitter Brent Rooker, outfielders Lawrence Butler and JJ Bleday, catcher Shea Langeliers, shortstop Jacob Wilson and prospect first baseman Nick Kurtz.
Boyle, 25, is the only player with major league experience to join the Rays. At 6′ 7″ and 240 pounds, Boyle throws a 98 mph fastball and a devastating slider that are both well above average. Throughout his time with the A’s — and, before that, in Cincinnati — the Control of his shot has always been a problem In 47.2 innings this year as a starter and reliever, Boyle struck out 56 and walked 40, but allowed only 40 walks. four circuits.
Simpson, a 15th-round pick by Washington in 2023, moved up to Double-A this year after posting averages of .270/.373/.480 with 16 homers and 81 RBIs in 109 games at the strong-A level.
Watters, a 2022 fourth-round pick, has split time between the rotation and bullpen at strong A this year. He went 6-3 with a 5.04 ERA, striking out 56 batters and allowing 28 walks in 60.2 innings.
