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Jul 18, 2026; West Sacramento, California, USA; Athletics third baseman Joshua Kuroda-Grauer (44) makes a diving catch against the Washington Nationals during the fourth inning at Sutter Health Park. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Lee-Imagn Images | Dennis Lee-Imagn Images
Good morning A’s fans.
The squad couldn’t get out of Arizona with a win, getting swept by the Diamondbacks to drop the record to a tough 43-59. That’s a disappointing outcome after their strong start to the season, and the Green & Gold will be at home watching October baseball on their couches for the sixth consecutive season.
There’s still two-plus months of baseball left to go though, and the attention should be focused on how to be more prepared for next season, the final year before the team makes its move to Las Vegas. They want to hit the ground running when they enter their new digs and that means making some noise next year. If they’re going to do that they’ll need to address some holes and questions on the roster. And one of the biggest questions they have is: what is going on at third base?
Over the next couple of months the team needs to try out the internal options at the hot corner. Former first rounder Max Muncy was given first crack at it this season but failed to deliver on his lofty draft status. He’s now back with the big league squad and may get some more starts at third to hopefully show some improvement, and it’s not impossible he seizes the job over the final few weeks. But they’ve also started toying with him in the outfield so we know how the club feels about his glove on the infield right now.
Zack Gelof has made some appearances there this year but with seven errors at a new position for him he isn’t the long-term option there. Plus he’s more valuable as a versatile piece that Mark Kotsay can move around.
Then there’s the young guys in Tommy White and Joshua Kuroda-Grauer. The rookies have just made his big league debuts and both have hit well in their small sample. There was never much doubt about White’s bat and he’s shown that so far having gone 7-for-16 through his first four games. Small sample, yes.
The question is about his glove at third base. If White can prove to be passable at third then the club can cross off two positions to address this offseason since they could then plug Kuroda-Grauer at the keystone. On the other hand if the glove isn’t up to par then that makes juggling all the young position players harder moving forward since White’s only other positions (first base, DH) are blocked next year (Nick Kurtz, Brent Rooker(?)). And we haven’t even welcomed star prospect Leo De Vries into the fold yet.
There’s lots of things that’ll happen over the next couple months that determine how next year unfolds. If the A’s want next year to be a success they had better use the short time left this season to try to get as many answers as possible, from third base to the outfield to the entire pitching staff.
No A’s baseball today. Have a great one guys.
A’s Coverage:
- A’s drop series finale in a big way, 15-5 to the Diamondbacks
- A’s roster moves: Ginn to IL, Barnett recalled
- A’s fall in extra innings 6-5 to Arizona
- Hot Topic: Who Is The “Real Langeliers”?
- A’s Beat Diamondbacks 5-2
- A’s place rookie Joshua Kuroda-Grauer on injured list with ruptured testicle
- Passan: A’s ‘have zero desire’ to trade Shea Langeliers
- Another ‘step in the right direction’ for Lopez in hunt to regain rookie form
- Blogfather Saves The Day With Pearls Of Most Excellent Advice
- Thinking out loud: Mic’d up Cease, Langeliers work through 3-K 1st in ASG
- What will the Athletics do leading up to Trade Deadline after cold streak?
- A’s Add Next Wave of Prospects in 2026 Draft
- Athletics Get Hitting Help by Claiming Hot Bat off Waivers
- Former A’s top draft pick Muncy learning outfield with Aviators
- Langeliers’ 5-year journey from top prospect to All-Star starter
- Injuries Providing Cover For Some Inconvenient Truths
- Breaking Down the A’s Alarming Trends Heading into the Break
- Jamie Arnold can’t wait for the A’s future. Triple-A Vegas is another story.
MLB News and Interest:
- 15 straight! Red Sox tie 1946 squad’s franchise-record winning streak
- Royals trade for reliever Pearson, former top prospect, from Houston
- Padres Discussing Wandy Peralta In Trade Talks
- Royals’ Bobby Witt Jr. placed on IL for first time in career
- Jose Ramírez back for Guardians, batting second in return to lineup
- Yankees activate Fried early for doubleheader vs. Pirates
- Garrett Crochet Targeting Return From IL By Playoffs
- Nationals Reportedly Considering Keeping Foster Griffin
- Trade rumors: Robert Jr., Rays, Giants bats, Marlins
- Rockies Getting Interest In Various Players
- Salvador Perez ties George Brett’s Royals record with 317th HR
- Today in Baseball History
Best of X:
A quick rising prospect who could make his big league debut this year?
Great show of support for prospect Ryan Lasko, who suffered a life-changing injury a couple weeks ago:
And a great update!
Doesn’t stop with the A’s:
Tuesday’s top minor league player:
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