The Oakland Athletics may be leaving their historic home in the Bay Area for Sacramento, and eventually Las Vegas, but the organization just made a statement that it’s still committed to building a competitive future. In a move that signals a renewed focus on the team’s on-field performance, the A’s have re-signed veteran reliever T.J. McFarland to a one-year deal, according to MLB insider Mark Feinsand.
McFarland’s return to the Athletics is a small but significant move for a franchise that has spent the last few seasons mired in a rebuild and struggling to keep its footing amidst the uncertainty of relocating. The 34-year-old lefty will now be part of what could quietly develop into one of the more underrated bullpens in Major League Baseball, highlighted by flame-throwing closer Mason Miller. For a franchise in flux, McFarland’s re-signing offers both on-field stability and a message to fans that the team is still working towards something bigger.
T.J. McFarland: A Steady Hand in an Uncertain Time
McFarland’s role in 2024 was crucial for the A’s as they endured another rough season. Appearing in a league-leading 79 games, McFarland posted a solid 3.81 ERA, showcasing his durability and effectiveness in high-leverage situations. His return gives the A’s bullpen a familiar face, a reliable arm, and a veteran presence that will help anchor what could be a surprisingly strong pitching staff.
In a season filled with roster turnover and plenty of questions surrounding the future of the franchise, McFarland’s return should be viewed as a positive signal that the A’s front office is focused on building a competitive team for 2025 and beyond. While the A’s are still several years away from competing for a playoff spot, they’re slowly assembling pieces that could form a solid foundation for the future.
The Athletics’ Quietly Building Core
Despite the narrative of perpetual rebuilding that surrounds the A’s, the team does have some promising pieces in place that could make them a surprising contender in the next few seasons. The addition of McFarland provides leadership to a bullpen that will include some intriguing arms, such as Miller, whose high-octane fastball could be one of the more exciting stories to follow in 2025.
Offensively, the A’s are starting to build a core that could turn into something special. Outfielder Lawrence Butler, 24, has shown flashes of potential, while catcher Shea Langeliers, 26, is a key part of the team’s future. Add in Brent Rooker, who the A’s recently committed to keeping long-term, and the Athletics have some real building blocks around which to build. Rooker, in particular, has emerged as a legitimate middle-of-the-order bat and an offensive cornerstone for the future.
McFarland’s presence is more than just on-the-field value. His leadership and experience will be invaluable for a young, developing team. The A’s may not have the star-studded roster of some of their rivals, but they have the pieces to slowly become a competitive team in the American League.
Why McFarland Chose to Return
The question many have asked is: Why would a veteran like McFarland choose to return to a team in transition, especially when the A’s are set to move to a temporary home in Sacramento before eventually relocating to Las Vegas? For McFarland, the answer might be rooted in his desire to be a part of something that’s still in the process of taking shape.
Having spent a year with the A’s in 2024, McFarland is familiar with the young talent the team is developing and may believe in their long-term vision. His decision to come back signals that he’s invested in the franchise’s future, even amidst the uncertainty that surrounds the relocation. It’s a refreshing sign for the A’s faithful, who are all too familiar with ownership’s history of cutting corners and leaving fans frustrated. McFarland’s return provides a sense of continuity and stability in a time when those qualities are in short supply.
The Bigger Picture: A Commitment to 2025
While re-signing McFarland may seem like a minor move in the grand scheme of things, it signals a shift in how the A’s are approaching the next few seasons. The team’s front office, led by general manager David Forst, is quietly assembling a competitive squad for 2025, one that could take the league by surprise. McFarland’s veteran presence, combined with the A’s growing young talent, could make them a dark-horse contender as early as 2025.
The re-signing of McFarland shows that the A’s are committed to fielding a team that will be competitive, even as they head into their temporary home in Sacramento and prepare for their eventual move to Las Vegas. For fans worried that the A’s would be stuck in rebuild mode indefinitely, this move offers a glimmer of hope. While it’s far from the splashy free-agent signing that would change the team’s trajectory overnight, it’s a sign that the A’s are still working toward building a winner—one move at a time.
For a franchise in transition, McFarland’s return is a much-needed win. It’s a win for the bullpen, a win for the clubhouse, and perhaps most importantly, a win for the fans who’ve been waiting for any sign that their team is moving in the right direction. As the A’s head into their first season in Sacramento, it’s clear that they’re not giving up on the future just yet.
