The Athletics have made a significant trade, acquiring pitcher Jeffrey Springs and Jacob Lopez from the Rays for several players and a draft pick
Oakland: So, the Athletics are shaking things up this offseason! They just traded for lefty pitcher Jeffrey Springs and Jacob Lopez from the Rays. In return, they sent over Joe Boyle, Jacob Watters, infielder Will Simpson, and a draft pick for 2025. Pretty big move, right?
Jeffrey Springs is entering his eighth season in the league. He’s had quite the journey, playing for teams like the Texas Rangers and the Boston Red Sox before landing with the Rays. He really made a name for himself as a solid reliever, and Tampa Bay even moved him to the starting rotation, where he had a fantastic year in 2022.
But here’s the kicker: Springs had a breakout season with a 2.46 ERA and 144 strikeouts. Unfortunately, he faced some tough luck with injuries. He only managed three starts in 2023 before needing Tommy John surgery. That’s a bummer for any player.
Now, Springs is set to make $10.5 million in 2026, with a team option for $15 million in 2027. It’ll be interesting to see how he bounces back from his injury.
As for Jacob Lopez, he was drafted by the Giants back in 2018 but got traded to the Rays the following year. He’s had a decent minor league career, but he missed all of 2022 due to his own Tommy John surgery. Hopefully, he can get back on track!