One day after two significant trades, the Athletics swung a trade for left-hander Jeffrey Springs. The Rays sent Springs and an unknown player to the Athletics for a Competitive Balance A pick, plus three players. Among the notable players going to Tampa are right-handed pitcher Joe Boyle and power-hitting infielder Will Simpson.

The Athletics’ Return

• SP Jeffrey Springs (3.27 ERA, 37 K over 33 IP)
• SP/RP Jacob Lopez

The Rays benefitted greatly from an early 2021 trade that allowed Tampa to acquire Jeffrey Springs from the Red Sox for Ronaldo Hernandez and Nick Sogard. Springs, a reliever in Texas and Boston before arriving in Tampa, was a good reliever in 2021 before moving into the rotation in 2022.

Springs was excellent in 2022 (2.46 ERA, 144 K over 135.1 IP) and allowed just one run over 16 frames in 2023. However, Springs required elbow ligament reconstruction surgery that sidelined him into mid-2024.

The 32-year-old doesn’t have an intimidating four-seam fastball on paper. Springs’ mean fastball velocity wasn’t even 90 MPH last season, in his first action in over a year. However, Springs is regularly in the low-90s with his heater, a pitch that plays up with slightly above-average IVB (16.7”). However, in 2023, his IVB of 18.0” was among the game’s best.

His fastball pairs extremely well with the changeup, which differs in velocity by about 10 MPH. It’s a great weapon not just because he tunnels it so well with the fastball, as it often starts about middle before falling. But, it also has good fading action on it.

Springs had a 50% Whiff% rate on the changeup in 2023, and slightly lower in 2024 (44.2%).

The lefty is primarily a three-pitch pitcher, as Springs will use a slider for left-handed hitters, although the changeup is often used against same-side hitters. Additionally, 2024 saw Springs break out a sweeper, sinker, and cutter sparingly.

Jeffrey Springs orignally signed a four-year extension in 2023 to void out his arbitration years. Springs has two years left at $10.5MM, plus a $15MM club option ($750K buyout) for the 2027 season.

The Rays’ Return

• SP/RP Joe Boyle (6.42 ERA, 56 K over 47.2 IP)
• SP Jacob Watters (5.23 ERA, 56 K over 63.2 IP (A+ and AAA))
• 1B Will Simpson (.282/.378/.482, 18 HR and 53 XBH over 127 G (A+ and AA))
• Competitive Balance A pick in 2025

Tampa received one MLB player in this deal, in right-hander Joe Boyle. Boyle put up great numbers (1.69 ERA, 15 K over 16 IP) in 2023 in a brief stint with Oakland. But over a larger sample size in 2024, Boyle did not pitch as well.

A fifth-round pick in 2020, Boyle has long been an attractive name thanks to his plus-plus fastball, which touches 100 MPH and a reason why he had a 30.2% Whiff% and tidy 4.0% Barrel%. He’ll also pair it with a hard slider, as well as a curveball and sweeper.

However, controlling his delivery has long been his issue, dating back to his days at Notre Dame. Last season, his BB% rate was 17.7%.

The Reds and A’s were enamored with his stuff, hence why he’s received chances to start in the Majors by the Athletics. However, Boyle profiles significantly better as a reliever than a starter.

The other pitcher received in this deal by Tampa Bay is Jacob Watters, a 2022 fourth-round pick by the A’s. Watters spent most of the last two seasons in Lansing (A+), aside from one spot start in Las Vegas (AAA). His numbers this past season were not particularly impressive, as Watters walked 33 and opposing batters hit .270 off him.

Watters isn’t a swing-and-miss pitcher, rather one who works with a low-to-mid-90s sinker (15.3” of run, slightly above league average), along with a changeup, and occasional four-seamer. The righty also has a hard curveball, one that sits around 80 MPH with good life.

Simpson, a 15th-round pick in 2023, hit well in the MLB Draft League two years ago in State College — after a down 2021 in the Cape — before an 18-home run season at Washington in 2023. The 23-year-old hit well in Stockton in 2023 before a strong 2024 campaign between High-A and Double-A.

It would be hyperbole to say he’s like Brent Rooker but there are some similarities between the two. Both are the same height (6’3”), have plus bat speed, and natural strength. Simpson doesn’t have a very lengthy swing but has an approach and profile that generates a lot of power.

The 23-year-old also walks a lot (13.8% BB% in 2024), likely another reason why the Rays like Simpson.

The Athletics primarily played Simpson at first base throughout his Minor League career. However, the A’s did give him 12 starts at third base in 2024. Simpson made two errors in Double-A at the hot corner.

Lastly, the Rays will receive a CB-A pick from the Athletics. That pick will come after the first round of the 2025 MLB Draft.

Analysis

The Rays were set to pay Springs $21MM over the next two seasons. With everything going on with Tropicana Field, it’s not terribly surprising to see the Rays — a low payroll team — to tighten the belt even further. Just a few weeks earlier, Tampa shipped arbitration-eligible Jose Siri to the Mets.

It’s the third-notable trade of a starting pitcher over the last six months for the Rays. Aaron Civale (Brewers) and Zach Eflin (Orioles) were shipped out last summer at the trade deadline.

Tampa is dealing from a position of strength. Heading into 2025, the Rays have Taj Bradley, Zack Littell, and Ryan Pepiot under roster, plus Shane Baz, who also returned from major injury last summer. Shane McClanahan, the team’s ace in 2023, should be ready for 2025, while Drew Rasmussen will likely compete for a spot, as well.

The Rays did get some intriguing pieces that fit the organization’s model. Between a hard-throwing righty, a crafty sinkerballer, and an on-base machine with power, plus the CB-A pick, Tampa continues to strengthen their farm system for future seasons.

As for the A’s, it’s the second notable starter pickup this winter. Two weeks earlier, the Athletics signed former Met Luis Severino to a three-year deal.

It comes as the A’s saw the rise of Lawrence Butler and Brent Rooker over the last two seasons, giving the Sacramento-bound organization needed beef in their lineup. The Athletics also have Jacob Wilson set for his rookie season in 2025, while Nick Kurtz is knocking on the door, as well.

UPDATE (12/14): Pitcher Jacob Lopez is the other player going to the A’s. Lopez made his debut in 2023 and we had some insight on the lefty in 2023 that you might want to check out. He’s a four-pitch pitcher with a low-90s fastball but one that plays up with plus extension.