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Taylor Smith a Top Candidate For Head of Baseball Ops With A's
ESPN Baseball Insider Jeff Passan reports that Boston Red Sox assistant general manager Taylor Smith is considered the top candidate to become the head of baseball operations for the A's. According to Passan, another finalist for the job, Cardinals assistant general manager Rob Cerfolio is expected to stay with St. Louis. Passan previously reported that Sam Fuld, the former general manager of the Phillies, was offered the A's job but will remain in the Philadelphia organization.
Source: Jeff Passan
Source: Jeff Passan
Max Muncy Could Require Offseason Surgery
Athletics infielder Max Muncy (knee) will be re-evaluated at some point in the offseason to determine if surgery is required to fix his left-knee chondromalacia, according to MLB.com. Muncy is expected to return for next season, but it is unclear how much time he could miss in the offseason if he is forced to go under the knife. The 24-year-old former 25th overall pick in 2021 played in 82 games for the A's in 2026 in his second year in the majors, slashing .230/.296/.387 with a .682 OPS, nine home runs, 30 RBI, 31 runs scored, and three stolen bases in 284 plate appearances. Muncy had nine home runs and 23 RBI in 63 games across 220 plate appearances in his first taste of big-league pitching in 2025 as a rookie. If Muncy does have surgery, it is expected to be a minimally invasive procedure, which means he should be ready well before the start of spring training in early 2027. Muncy's power from the right side is intriguing, but he must earn more playing time going into his third year in the Show.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Jeff McNeil Re-Emerging as a Viable Waiver-Wire Target
Across 487 plate appearances in 2026, Athletics second baseman/outfielder Jeff McNeil is hitting .268/.315/.371 with eight home runs, 54 RBI, 49 runs scored, and eight stolen bases. The 34-year-old does not profile as a power source, as he's logged a tiny 1.8% barrel rate this year. However, McNeil has struck out in just 11.3% of his plate appearances. The veteran lefty has been a high-end source of batting average in the second half of the season, hitting .333 across 190 plate appearances since the All-Star break. He's also moved into a prominent spot in the banged-up A's lineup, batting second in each of his last 11 games played. Heading into the final stretch of the regular season, McNeil profiles as an under-the-radar source of batting average and run production for fantasy managers to target on the waiver wire.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Jeff McNeil an Everyday Option with Positional Versatility
Athletics infielder Jeff McNeil has delivered an uptick in production lately, making him an intriguing player to target on the waiver wire in deeper fantasy baseball leagues. Since the start of August, he's 38-for-112 (.339) with four homers, seven doubles, 19 RBI, four walks, 12 strikeouts, and five steals. Those numbers are substantially better than his season-long statistics, although his "back of the baseball card" numbers aren't necessarily concerning. This year, he owns a .271/.321/.378 slash line with eight homers, eight steals, 52 RBI, a 6.0% walk rate, an 11.3% strikeout rate, and 89 wRC+. Since the start of August, his slash line and home run total have increased while his strikeout rate has remained relatively constant. Because of his recent improvements at the plate, McNeil is an intriguing fantasy baseball waiver wire target in deeper leagues. He has played mostly first base and second base for the A's, but he also has fantasy eligibility in all three outfield spots. The 34-year-old is currently available to be picked up in 80% of leagues.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Zack Gelof Emerging as a Must-Add Waiver-Wire Target
Across 343 plate appearances in 2026, Athletics infielder/outfielder Zack Gelof is hitting .256/.324/.453 with 15 home runs, 39 RBI, 57 runs scored, and 10 stolen bases. The 26-year-old has had his season disrupted by two separate stints on the injured list due to hand and knee injuries. However, when healthy, Gelof has been highly productive. After posting a 45.5% strikeout rate across 101 plate appearances in 2025, Gelof has lowered his strikeout rate to a much more manageable 25.4% in 2026. He's also shown the ability to play second base, third base, and all three outfield spots, which helps keep him in the A's lineup every day and provides valuable multi-positional eligibility for fantasy managers. Gelof's barrel and hard-hit rates have come down a bit this year as he focuses on making more contact, but his hitter-friendly home environment in Sacramento helps prop up his power numbers. In any league where he's not already rostered, Gelof should be a priority waiver wire target for fantasy managers.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Zack Gelof is Returning on Monday
Athletics infielder Zack Gelof (knee) was activated off the 10-day Injured List ahead of Monday's game against the Tampa Bay Rays. Gelof is ready to play after being sidelined since July 10 due to a right knee laceration. He'll cover third base and bat ninth versus right-hander Freddy Peralta on Monday. Gelof figures to be the everyday third baseman down the stretch of the season. This season, Gelof is slashing .273/.327/.476 with 11 home runs, 29 RBI, and eight steals in 67 games. He could be an interesting deep league option given his power and speed upside.
Source: Athletics
Source: Athletics
Zack Gelof to Begin Doing Baseball Activities Next Week
Athletics second baseman Zack Gelof (knee) is expected to begin doing baseball activities once his stitches are removed on Tuesday. Gelof has been out since right before the All-Star break due to a right knee laceration. It sounds like he's extremely close to getting back on the field. There's a decent chance that Gelof doesn't require a minor league rehab assignment, but that'll depend on how he feels once he gets the stitches. out. Gelof has done enough damage with the bat this season to warrant rostering in at least deep leagues. He has blasted 11 home runs while slashing .273/.327/.476 this season.
Source: Martin Gallegos
Source: Martin Gallegos
Zack Gelof Heads Back to Injured List With Knee Laceration
The Athletics announced on Friday that they placed utility player Zack Gelof (knee) on the 10-day injured list with a right-knee laceration and recalled infielder Joey Meneses from Triple-A Las Vegas in a corresponding move. Gelof injured his right knee making a nice sliding catch in foul territory in Thursday's game against the Detroit Tigers, and he'll now head back to the IL after returning from a stint on the sidelines due to a hand laceration. The 26-year-old former second-round pick in 2021 out of the University of Virginia has been hampered by injuries in his career before, but this time it's even more frustrating, as Gelof has played well for the A's in 2026 when available, slashing .273/.327/.476 with an .802 OPS, 11 home runs, 29 RBI, 41 runs scored, and eight stolen bases across his 227 at-bats. Fantasy managers seeking power and speed for the second half shouldn't forget about Gelof, who is eligible at second base, third base, and the outfield in Yahoo leagues. While he's out, veteran Jeff McNeil figures to see most of the playing time at the hot corner in Sacramento.
Source: A's Communications
Source: A's Communications
Zack Gelof Exits Thursday's Game With Knee Injury
Athletics infielder/outfielder Zack Gelof (knee) was forced from Thursday's game early in the third inning against the Detroit Tigers after making an amazing sliding catch in foul territory down the third-base line, according to Chris McCosky of The Detroit News. Gelof went 0-for-1 at the plate before he was replaced in left field by Colby Thomas. Lawrence Butler entered the game to play right field for the A's. The 26-year-old had just returned from the injured list over the weekend due to a hand injury, but now he's hurt again. It remains to be seen how serious Gelof's right-knee injury is, but with only three games remaining before next week's All-Star break, the A's could be cautious with Gelof and hold him out for this weekend's series in Chicago against the White Sox. Before injuring his hand, Gelof had become an intriguing waiver-wire pickup with eligibility at second base, third base, and the outfield in Yahoo leagues. He entered Thursday's game with a .274/.328/.478 slash line, an .806 OPS, 11 home runs, 29 RBI, 41 runs, and eight steals in 66 games played. Gelof's power/speed upside is more interesting in 2026 since he has a career-low 25.2% strikeout rate.
Source: The Detroit News - Chris McCosky
Source: The Detroit News - Chris McCosky
A's Send Max Muncy Down to Triple-A
The Athletics optioned infielder Max Muncy to Triple-A Las Vegas on Wednesday to clear a roster spot for the return of first baseman/outfielder Tyler Soderstrom (hip) from the 10-day injured list, according to MLB.com. Muncy will most likely be back in Sacramento with the A's at some point in the second half of the season for infield depth, but for now, he'll head to the farm and work on making more contact with the baseball. In his second big-league season, the 23-year-old former 25th overall pick in 2021 has hit just .227/.303/.396 with a .699 OPS, five home runs, 20 RBI, 24 runs scored, three stolen bases, and a 33.1% strikeout rate in 46 games across 175 plate appearances. Muncy hit only .214 (44-for-206) with nine homers, 23 RBI, 17 runs, and a 30.9% strikeout rate in his first 63 major-league games for the A's in 2025. The right-hander has eligibility at second base, third base, and shortstop and has decent power, making him attractive to fantasy managers in deeper leagues. Right now, Muncy is only rostered in 6% of Yahoo leagues.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Joshua Kuroda-Grauer Emerging as a Batting Average Asset on the Waiver Wire
Athletics infield prospect Joshua Kuroda-Grauer has gotten off to a hot start since making his MLB debut on June 29, logging 12 hits in his first 27 big-league plate appearances. The 23-year-old opened 2026 in Double-A before being promoted to Triple-A in mid-May, hitting .323/.367/.478 with seven home runs, 44 RBI, 76 runs scored, and 15 stolen bases across 365 plate appearances split between the two levels. Kuroda-Grauer has gotten near-everyday run since his promotion and has a chance to emerge as the Athletics' primary third baseman if he can continue to produce. His power upside for fantasy managers is minimal, as he logged a 2.2% barrel rate at Triple-A this season. However, Kuroda-Grauer owns elite contact skills and stole 27 bases across 121 minor league games in 2025. For fantasy managers looking for some batting average and speed upside, Kuroda-Grauer could be worth targeting on the waiver wire.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Zack Gelof Activated Off the Injured List on Saturday
Athletics infielder Zack Gelof (hand) was activated off the 10-day Injured List on Saturday. Gelof is back in the mix after missing the minimum 10 days while recovering from a right-hand contusion. The A's felt that Gelof didn't need a rehab assignment, so he'll be back in the lineup ahead of Saturday's game against the Miami Marlins. Through 62 games, Gelof is slashing .282/.336/.498 with 11 home runs, 29 RBI, and eight steals this season. He offers enough overall upside to warrant a look in all fantasy formats. He could be worth scooping up in leagues where he was dropped while on the shelf.
Source: Athletics PR
Source: Athletics PR
A's Call Up Joshua Kuroda-Grauer, Will he Have a Big Role in Big Leagues?
The Athletics announced on Monday that they called up infield prospect Joshua Kuroda-Grauer from Triple-A Las Vegas, with shortstop Jacob Wilson (thumb) landing on the 10-day injured list to begin the week. Kuroda-Grauer is considered the team's No. 9 prospect, per MLB Pipeline. The A's also called up right-handed pitching prospect Kade Morris, who is the team's No. 11 prospect. In his major-league debut, Kuroda-Grauer made the start at second base and was batting ninth on Monday in Monday's series opener in Sacramento against the Los Angeles Dodgers and left-hander Eric Lauer. The 23-year-old former third-rounder in 2024 out of Rutgers got the call to the big leagues for the first time after slashing .323/.367/.478 with an .845 OPS, seven home runs, 23 doubles, four triples, 44 RBI, 15 stolen bases, and 76 runs scored in 75 games between Double-A Midland and Las Vegas this year. With both Wilson and Zack Gelof (hand) currently on the IL, Kuroda-Grauer could play regularly for the A's to close out the first half of the regular season. With a similar profile to Wilson -- contact-oriented with a low ceiling as far as power goes -- fantasy managers in shallow mixed leagues can probably hold off on adding him off the waiver wire.
Source: Athletics
Source: Athletics
Zack Gelof Placed on Injured List With Hand Injury
The Athletics are placing infielder/outfielder Zack Gelof (hand) on the 10-day injured list with a laceration and contusion on his hand that he suffered on Tuesday against the San Francisco Giants, according to Martin Gallegos of MLB.com. Hopefully, Gelof will only need to spend the minimum 10 days on the IL with what seemed like a relatively minor injury. Until then, Max Muncy should see most of the playing time at the hot corner in Sacramento for the A's. Gelof's injury comes at a really bad time, as the 26-year-old former second-rounder in 2021 out of the University of Virginia had just started to find his stride offensively in 2026 in his fourth MLB season. Through 62 games and 228 plate appearances so far this year, Gelof has hit .282 (59-for-209) with 11 home runs, 29 RBI, 40 runs scored, and eight stolen bases. In 19 games in June, he's gone 23-for-70 (.329) with five homers, six doubles, 10 RBI, 19 runs, and two steals in 78 plate appearances. Gelof's recent hot streak made him a priority waiver-wire target in fantasy leagues, and he's currently rostered in 66% of Yahoo leagues for his power/speed upside in a hitter-friendly home ballpark.
Source: MLB.com - Martin Gallegos
Source: MLB.com - Martin Gallegos
Zack Gelof Out With Hand Injury on Wednesday
Athletics infielder/outfielder Zack Gelof (hand) is absent from the team's starting lineup on Wednesday against the hosting San Francisco Giants after suffering a laceration and contusion on his right hand after being stepped on during Tuesday's contest, per MLB.com. Max Muncy is making the start for the A's at third base and will hit eighth against Giants right-hander Tyler Mahle (hamstring), who is making his first start back from the injured list. The good news for Gelof is that his hand injury shouldn't be anything that requires him to spend time on the injured list. The 26-year-old is finally realizing his potential so far in 209 at-bats for the A's in 2026 after he was a second-round selection in 2021 out of the University of Virginia. Gelof is slashing .282/.336/.498 this year with an .834 OPS, 11 home runs, 29 RBI, 40 runs, and eight stolen bases across 62 games and 228 plate appearances. He's become a priority waiver-wire target with a strong month of June, going 23-for-70 (.329) with five homers, six doubles, 10 RBI, 19 runs, and two steals in 19 games played. Gelof is now rostered in 67% of Yahoo leagues. Check back to see if he's ready to return for Thursday's series finale against the Giants.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
