On Friday, the Oakland Athletics and Tampa Bay Rays executed a significant trade involving four players, highlighting the potential impact of 32-year-old left-handed starter Jeffrey Springs as he transitions to the Athletics. This trade also saw the A’s acquiring lefty swingman Jacob Lopez, while the Rays received hard-throwing righty Joe Boyle, two minor leaguers—first baseman Will Simpson and right-handed pitcher Jacob Watters—along with the valuable 36th overall pick in the 2025 draft. This complex trade illustrates both teams’ strategies in reinforcing their rosters for the upcoming seasons.

Springs, who is signed through at least 2026, experienced a breakout season in 2022 after transitioning from the bullpen to the starting rotation, achieving an impressive 3.1 WAR over 135 1/3 innings. Unfortunately, he suffered a significant injury early in 2023 that required Tommy John surgery, sidelining him for the remainder of that season and most of 2024. Upon his return from a lengthy 12-start minor league rehabilitation period, Springs posted respectable surface stats in the big leagues—7 starts, 33 innings, 37 strikeouts, a 1.36 WHIP, and a 3.27 ERA. However, reports indicate that his performance was not at the same level as before his surgery, as his velocity and effectiveness showed a decline. Notably, Ken Rosenthal mentioned that Springs was advised to shut down in September due to concerns from his surgeon.

Joining the Athletics, Springs adds depth to a team brimming with promising young hitters but desperately needing reliable pitching options. This trade not only enhances their roster but also follows the recent acquisition of veteran Luis Severino, further bolstering their pitching lineup. Additionally, this move increases the Athletics’ payroll, which they must manage to avoid potential grievances from the MLB Players Association. This proactive approach reflects the team’s commitment to compete more vigorously in the upcoming seasons as they aim to improve their standing in the league.

In his 2024 starts, Springs’ fastball averaged 90 mph, a noticeable drop from his previous performance levels. This reduction in velocity is significant, as it affects his vulnerability on the mound; he recorded a concerning 45.2% hard-hit rate (compared to a 36.5% career average) and a 9.7% barrel rate (up from 7.7% career). Against his fastball alone, opposing hitters achieved an impressive 140 wRC+, indicating their ability to make solid contact. However, Springs’ changeup remains a strong asset, continuing to generate swings and misses at a high rate. He has also diversified his slider, alternating between a traditional bullet style and a more lateral-action sweeper, alongside a newly introduced cutter that he appears to have developed during his rehabilitation.

According to the projection systems utilized here, a healthy Springs is expected to become the Athletics’ most effective starter. The ZiPS Projections for the Athletics indicate that only a few of their current starters are projected to exceed 1 WAR, while systems like FGDC and Steamer anticipate Springs can achieve a 2-WAR level of performance, slightly better than Severino’s projections. However, these forecasts assume Springs can exceed 150 innings, a milestone he has never reached in his career. Having only one healthy season as a starter, where he pitched 135 innings, Springs is set to earn $10.5 million over the next two seasons, with a $15 million team option for 2027. If he can return to his 2022 form, he could prove to be a valuable asset at this price point.

The Athletics also acquired Jacob Lopez, a 26-year-old lefty who has primarily served as a spot starter and swingman over the past two seasons. With only eight career appearances in the major leagues (including two starts), Lopez is now in his final option year. Most of his recent experience has been at Triple-A Durham, where he has shown potential as a low-slot, cross-bodied pitcher with promising slider command. He incorporates low-90s four-seamers and sinkers alongside an array of upper-70s sliders. While these pitches are not particularly overpowering, Lopez has the ability to challenge hitters from both sides of the plate. His delivery is designed for consistency, although his athleticism is below average. With just one option remaining, Lopez stands a strong chance of making the Athletics’ Opening Day roster and could pitch enough in the big leagues to lose his rookie status by 2025.

The Athletics’ rotation gains stability with the addition of Springs, who is known for his ability to throw strikes, contrasting with Joe Boyle’s more erratic performance. This trade is a strategic move as the Athletics strive to catch up to division rivals who outperformed them in last season’s standings. However, it comes at the cost of a high draft pick in a competitive draft year, along with Boyle’s significant potential. The compensation pick going to Tampa Bay is the 36th overall in the draft, and early assessments indicate that the 2025 draft possesses strong depth, extending beyond the typical players available in the compensation round. The Rays now own four of the first 51 picks, providing them with ample bonus pool space to enhance their future roster. It is uncommon for a small market team like the Athletics to relinquish such a valuable draft asset unless they are clearly in contention.

The towering 6-foot-7 Boyle has been developed as a starter throughout his career, making his debut in Oakland’s rotation last year. However, he has faced significant walk issues since high school, which has led to projections of him becoming a reliever. Despite these challenges, Boyle possesses the potential to excel as a reliever, routinely hitting 98 mph with relative ease, although he struggles with command. His two breaking pitches, an upper-80s slider and a low-80s curveball, are both effective, but his lack of control undermines their impact.

It is feasible that the Rays will attempt to replicate their success with Tyler Glasnow by simplifying Boyle’s delivery to achieve greater consistency, hoping he can develop into a reliable five-inning starter. Boyle has two option years remaining, allowing the Rays time to experiment with his role. If they choose to transition him to the bullpen, a potential reason for considering Springs expendable could be their depth in starting pitching. Boyle could emerge as a standout reliever by midseason, but his historical walk rates exceeding 16% at nearly every professional level raise concerns regarding his reliability. At 25 years old, he may have already established his pitching profile.

The two minor leaguers joining the Rays are Will Simpson and Jacob Watters. Simpson, a late-round pick from Washington in 2023, spent most of 2024 at High-A Lansing but advanced to Double-A Midland by season’s end. His excellent bat speed and strength make him a threat at the plate, posting an .860 OPS in 2024. However, concerns regarding his swing mechanics and below-average defense at third base suggest he may ultimately transition to first base, where he could face contact challenges. A comparison to Patrick Wisdom would represent a successful outcome for Simpson.

Watters, selected in the fourth round of the 2022 draft from West Virginia, repeated his time at High-A in 2024, struggling with an inflated ERA for the second consecutive season. He showcases a fastball that sits at 94 mph and can touch 96, complemented by a plus low-80s curveball. However, his below-average command limits his potential, likely steering him towards a bullpen role. If Watters experiences an increase in velocity as a reliever, his two plus pitches could position him as a solid middle reliever in the future.

Both Simpson and Watters are currently in the mid-minors and are likely two to three years away from making an impact in the major leagues, if they reach that level at all. The player selected by the Rays with their new draft pick may require even more time to develop. Although four pieces appear to be a substantial cost for acquiring two seasons of an injury-prone Springs at $10.5 million per year, it’s important to note that aside from Boyle, all other assets are still far from being major league-ready. The Rays strategically improved their payroll flexibility, opened a spot on the 40-man roster, secured a high draft pick, and potentially gained a player with immediate upside through a bullpen transition. This trade aligns well with the Rays’ long-term strategy. While the Athletics have valid justifications for this trade, relinquishing a late first-round draft pick for a player who is recovering from injury and averaging 90 mph raises legitimate concerns.