MESA, Ariz. — The Athletics are trying to forget a May 2025 that nearly derailed their season. A 20-loss month in 21 games exposed a young roster’s growing pains but also became a turning point. The A’s rebounded to win 76 games, their most since 2021, and now believe they can avoid such a collapse.
Manager Mark Kotsay sees a more mature group entering 2026. “Shea and Rooker are in their fourth season, and you definitely see a difference in their preparation and their leadership and growth as baseball players. It has been exceptional,” Kotsay said. He added that the team expects continued progress after a strong second half.
The A’s have made moves to stabilize the lineup. They acquired veteran second baseman Jeff McNeil from the New York Mets, a 2022 batting champion and two-time All-Star. McNeil, who has one year and $15.75 million left on his contract with a club option for 2027, said he’s ready to mentor. “I’ve had a lot of experience in this game, so if someone needs help, they’re free to come to me. I want to help,” McNeil said. “I was a young guy once and had to lean on others for information. I want to be that guy.”
The young core includes first baseman Nick Kurtz, shortstop Jacob Wilson, and outfielder Tyler Soderstrom, all of whom have received or been offered contract extensions. Catcher Shea Langeliers, now in his fourth season, echoed Kotsay’s confidence. “I’ve been on this team for a while now, and going through what we went through as a core group (last season), we learned a lot,” Langeliers said. “Whatever the young guys want, we’ll be there for them as a helping hand.”
The schedule presents an early test: 12 of the first 15 games are on the road against the Blue Jays, Braves, Astros, Yankees, and Mets. Kotsay emphasized that the focus remains on the present, not the planned relocation to Las Vegas in 2028. “It has to be a thought process that in 2028 it’s where we’re going to be calling home. But the focus right now is for some young players looking at the roster and the challenges it’s going to present them to be on this team then,” he said.
