Athletics Strengthen Rotation with Trade for Jeffrey Springs and Jacob Lopez

Following the signing of right-hander Luis Severino, Athletics general manager David Forst emphasized his commitment to further fortifying the team's rotation. During the Winter Meetings in Dallas, Forst expressed the need for additional starting pitchers, either through trade or free agency. This week, the Athletics achieved that goal by acquiring left-handers Jeffrey Springs and Jacob Lopez from the Tampa Bay Rays.

The Athletics traded right-hander Joe Boyle, first baseman Will Simpson (ranked No. 28 in the A's prospect list by MLB Pipeline), and right-hander Jacob Watters to the Rays. Additionally, the A's sent a 2025 Competitive Balance Round A Draft pick to Tampa Bay.


Athletics Receive:
- LHP Jeffrey Springs
- LHP Jacob Lopez

Rays Receive:
- RHP Joe Boyle
- 1B Will Simpson
- RHP Jacob Watters
- 2025 Competitive Balance Round A Draft pick

This trade adds significant money to the Athletics' payroll. Following a $67 million deal with Severino earlier this month, Springs' contract will add another $10.5 million in each of the next two years, with a $15 million club option for 2027. Forst indicated that the team's payroll will increase in 2025 from the $63.4 million figure of last season.

Jeffrey Springs underwent Tommy John surgery in April 2023 and made a successful return to action this July. In seven starts for the Rays, he posted a 3.27 ERA with 37 strikeouts and 11 walks over 33 innings. Springs was later shut down in mid-September due to left elbow fatigue, a move seen as precautionary since Tampa Bay was no longer in playoff contention.

At his peak, Springs features an elite changeup along with a fastball, slider, and sweeper. Upon returning to the majors, he also started incorporating a cutter. Despite his fastball velocity dropping to an average of 89.8 mph in 2024, the Athletics expect it to return to the 91-92 mph range that Springs maintained before his surgery.


The acquisition of Jeffrey Springs and Jacob Lopez marks another significant step in the Athletics' efforts to strengthen their rotation for the upcoming season. With these additions, the A's aim to build a competitive pitching staff that can help them contend in 2025 and beyond.