A’s trying to take big leap forward in 2024
Oakland: After two seasons with 100 losses in a row, the A’s are beginning to turn things around as they begin their third rebuilding season.
The young revolution that happened in the latter half of the previous season was the catalyst for it. Zack Gelof, Lawrence Butler, Mason Miller, Ryan Noda, and other young players helped the A’s field a much more competitive team in the last two months of the 2023 season after a disappointing first half.
The A’s are going to aim for a significant improvement in 2024, and they have set the bar by adding some much-needed experience to their pitching staff and developing a youthful core.
As a squad, we need to have higher expectations, according to A’s manager Mark Kotsay. They were probably in that clubhouse last [Spring Training], wondering if they would make the squad. unsure of their expected stay on the team. They are aware of their role this year. It is now more about the team than it is about them individually.
After losing 112 games last season, could the A’s become a .500 team while playing in a difficult American League West division?
“I’d like to set that expectation,” Kotsay said. “It’s still a challenge, though. You’re talking about improvement by 31 games. That’s a large task. But it’s not something that is not accomplishable.”
The A’s will rely on the ongoing Major League development of young players like Denzel Clarke, Max Muncy, and Darell Hernaiz, as well as an influx of elite prospects in the near future, to take that step forward. Additionally, they have a lot more confidence in their pitching rotation now that they have added two veterans in Ross Stripling and Alex Wood this offseason.
