The Oakland Athletics have been one of MLB’s least productive teams over the last couple of seasons. But that’s something that could change in 2026.
During an appearance on MLB Network, insider Jon Morosi made a surprising pick to make the playoffs this season. Morosi picked the A’s given the team’s emerging core.
“The A’s are a playoff team in 2026… they’ve got all of this great young talent. Kurtz, Langeliers, Soderstrom, Wilson, they’ve got the veteran in Rooker.”
Morosi pointed out that the A’s have the third-youngest position core in MLB. That’s a major factor for Morosi as he believes the A’s core is just entering its prime. Additionally, the fact that they’re young means the team will stay healthy overall.
But not all is rosy for Oakland this season. Morosi highlighted a caveat.
“If they get enough pitching, and I liked what I saw from Severino during the course of the WBC, if he keeps that up, and of course, the bullpen no longer having Mason Miller, but this is a postseason team for the A’s.”
As is generally the case for MLB teams, pitching will largely determine how far they can get in a season. But it seems that the A’s, after going 76-86 last season, could be on the verge of a major breakout in 2026.
Is It Reasonable to Expect A’s to Return to MLB Postseason?
Despite Morosi’s unbridled optimism regarding Oakland, is it reasonable to assume that the A’s could return to the playoffs this season?
Well, that depends on the AL West. Last year’s division champs, the Seattle Mariners, went 90-72. That was a solid mark, and it was good enough for a three-game lead over the Houston Astros.
After that, the AL West could become MLB’s most wide-open division. The Texas Rangers ended the season at a break-even 81-81. The A’s were right behind, with the Los Angeles Angels in last at 72-90.
That said, five extra wins this season would bring the A’s to break-even. 10 wins, and Oakland has a real chance at making the MLB playoffs.
The Boston Red Sox made it with an 89-73 mark, while the Detroit Tigers landed the final wild card spot with an 87-75 mark.
That’s where the A’s could sneak into the postseason. All they need is 10 more wins, and they’ll be in playoff contention down to the wire.
Oakland’s Season Depends on Early Success
Ultimately, Oakland’s MLB season depends on getting off to a strong start. A solid first month could set the tone for an exciting summer in the Bay Area. Getting off to a winning record out of the gate could grow the A’s confidence exponentially.
That said, a tough first month could derail the team’s momentum. In that event, it may take much longer to get the team back on track. By the time the club gets hot, it might be too late.
The A’s will kick off their 2026 season on Friday against the defending American League champs, the Toronto Blue Jays. Hitting the ground running will be a major step forward for a team looking to get back to MLB relevance.
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