Oakland Athletics Wiretap

One big inning was more than enough Sunday for the New York Yankees.

Fueled by a fiery pep talk from captain Aaron Judge, the Yankees scored 13 runs in the third and beat the Athletics 13-8, finishing one run shy of the highest-scoring inning in the storied history of the franchise.

"Remarkable," manager Aaron Boone said. "Glad we were able to make it stand up. Obviously, a lot of really good things offensively. ... I don't think the prettiest game on either side, necessarily. But we were able to make a really outstanding inning stand up."

The Athletics are calling up Gage Jump, one of the best left-handed pitching prospects in baseball, sources told ESPN's Jeff Passan on Monday.

The No. 2 prospect in the A's system, Jump, 23, runs his fastball up to 97 mph and has struck out 56 in 38 innings at Triple-A Las Vegas.

The Athletics (27-27) are atop the American League West standings, but their pitching staff ranks in the bottom third in the majors in strikeout rate.

The lower bowl of the Athletics' $2 billion domed stadium on the Las Vegas Strip is taking shape, and officials said the project remains on schedule to open before the 2028 season.

Club and contractor officials presented their update on the 33,000-person capacity ballpark on Thursday at the Las Vegas Stadium Authority meeting.

"The lower-suite level is progressing substantially," said Tyler Van Eeckhaut, project director for contractors Mortenson-McCarthy. "We're starting to see a lot of rooms taking shape and a lot of that environment has really started to become a component of the stadium."

With nearly two months of the 2026 season complete, 22 players from the preseason MLB top 100 prospect list have graduated from eligibility, reshuffling the rankings ahead of what figures to be an active trade deadline season.

Milwaukee Brewers shortstop Jesus Made, 19, moves to the top spot after posting 90th percentile exit velocities that rank among big league averages despite playing in Double-A. His ability to control the strike zone and his defensive profile stand out, though scouts note his swing produces insufficient lift to translate his raw power into home run totals. If that changes in the second half, a significant ranking jump could follow.

Among the most notable movers is Boston Red Sox shortstop Franklin Arias, who climbs from 36th to sixth after posting improved exit velocity and lift rates while maintaining contact. Athletics shortstop Leo De Vries jumps to second after his profile helped pry All-Star closer Mason Miller from Oakland. Pittsburgh Pirates right-hander Seth Hernandez rises from 49th to seventh after slider and fastball shape improvements unlocked his ceiling.

Notable graduates from the list include the previous top two prospects, Konnor Griffin and Kevin McGonigle, along with Samuel Basallo, JJ Wetherholt, Bubba Chandler, Carson Benge, Andrew Painter, and Carson Williams, among others.

Seven players currently on active big league rosters remain eligible but could graduate within weeks.

Top-50 MLB Prospects

60FV
1. Jesus Made, SS, Milwaukee Brewers (Previous: 3)
2. Leo De Vries, SS, Athletics (Previous: 11)
3. Colt Emerson, SS, Seattle Mariners (Previous: 6)
4. Max Clark, CF, Detroit Tigers (Previous: 8)
5. Sebastian Walcott, SS, Texas Rangers (Previous: 5)
6. Franklin Arias, SS, Boston Red Sox (Previous: 36)
7. Seth Hernandez, RHP, Pittsburgh Pirates (Previous: 49)
8. Eli Willits, SS, Washington Nationals (Previous: 41)
9. Kade Anderson, LHP, Seattle Mariners (Previous: 16)
10. George Lombard Jr., SS, New York Yankees (Previous: 20)
11. Travis Bazzana, 2B, Cleveland Guardians (Previous: 23)
12. Walker Jenkins, CF, Minnesota Twins (Previous: 9)
13. Trey Yesavage, RHP, Toronto Blue Jays (Previous: 14)
14. A.J. Ewing, CF, New York Mets (Previous: 28)
15. Rainiel Rodriguez, C, St. Louis Cardinals (Previous: 19)
16. Aidan Miller, SS, Philadelphia Phillies (Previous: 10)
17. Ryan Sloan, RHP, Seattle Mariners (Previous: 24)

55 FV
18. Josue De Paula, LF, Los Angeles Dodgers (Previous: 21)
19. Josuar Gonzalez, SS, San Francisco Giants (Previous: 30)
20. Ethan Salas, C, San Diego Padres (Previous: 110)
21. Ryan Waldschmidt, CF, Arizona Diamondbacks (Previous: 63)
22. Thomas White, LHP, Miami Marlins (Previous: 18)
23. Alfredo Duno, C, Cincinnati Reds (Previous: 29)
24. Connor Prielipp, LHP, Minnesota Twins (Previous: 54)
25. Caleb Bonemer, 3B, Chicago White Sox (Previous: 34)
26. Luis Pena, SS, Milwaukee Brewers (Previous: 26)
27. Ethan Holliday, SS, Colorado Rockies (Previous: 66)
28. Liam Doyle, LHP, St. Louis Cardinals (Previous: 50)
29. Tyler Bremner, RHP, Los Angeles Angels (Previous: 56)
30. Theo Gillen, CF, Tampa Bay Rays (Previous: 92)
31. Ralphy Velazquez, 1B, Cleveland Guardians (Previous: 33)
32. Jett Williams, SS, Milwaukee Brewers (Previous: 32)
33. JoJo Parker, SS, Toronto Blue Jays (Previous: 52)
34. Zyhir Hope, RF, Los Angeles Dodgers (Previous: 40)

50 FV
35. Cam Caminiti, LHP, Atlanta Braves (Previous: 53)
36. Jonah Tong, RHP, New York Mets (Previous: 31)
37. Noah Schultz, LHP, Chicago White Sox (Previous: 96)
38. Kaelen Culpepper, SS, Minnesota Twins (Previous: 79)
39. Angel Genao, SS, Cleveland Guardians (Previous: 80)
40. Gage Jump, LHP, Athletics (Previous: 42)
41. Jhonny Level, SS, San Francisco Giants (Previous: 84)
42. Emmanuel Rodriguez, CF, Minnesota Twins (Previous: 97)
43. Josh Hammond, SS, Kansas City Royals (Previous: 132)
44. Edward Florentino, CF, Pittsburgh Pirates (Previous: 78)
45. Eduardo Quintero, CF, Los Angeles Dodgers (Previous: 37)
46. Anthony Eyanson, RHP, Boston Red Sox (Previous: NR)
47. Eduardo Tait, C, Minnesota Twins (Previous: 38)
48. Didier Fuentes, RHP, Atlanta Braves (Previous: 88)
49. River Ryan, RHP, Los Angeles Dodgers (Previous: 125)
50. Jamie Arnold, LHP, Athletics (Previous: 60)

Lew Wolff, the 90-year-old real-estate developer and former partial owner of the Oakland Athletics, has published a memoir placing responsibility for the franchise's Bay Area departure squarely on the San Francisco Giants.

In the 128-page book titled "Moments," Wolff contends the A's left Oakland "100 percent due to the nasty, shameful, and continuing opposition of the Giants," who blocked territorial rights to Santa Clara County, and the city of San Jose, as a potential relocation destination. The Giants declined comment.

Wolff held the most publicly visible role in A's ownership from 2005 to 2015. Current owner John Fisher, whom Wolff calls "a dear and long-term friend," bought out Wolff in 2016 and relocated the club following the 2024 season.

"John Fisher gets blamed for things he doesn't deserve to be blamed for," Wolff said. "The Giants' position really, really messed us up in trying to even negotiate with Oakland."

The A's are currently playing in a minor-league facility in Sacramento for a second straight year, with a planned move to Las Vegas projected for 2028. Nevada officials approved up to $380 million in public funds toward a new ballpark projected to cost roughly $2 billion total.

Giants chairman Greg Johnson defended his organization's stance, citing financial obligations tied to Oracle Park's construction.

"We have a huge fan base there. The overlap would be large, and it would have been detrimental to the strength of this organization," Johnson said.

The A's granted territorial rights to San Jose to the Giants in 1990 by former owner Walter Haas as the National League club was exploring a move away from Candlestick Park. Wolff argues that those rights were "conditional" as the Giants eventually built a ballpark in downtown San Francisco. 

Former Oakland Mayor Jean Quan disputed Wolff's characterization, alleging he owned land near the proposed San Jose site and stood to profit from a relocation there. Wolff denied holding substantial San Jose real estate at the time of the A's purchase.

Wolff expressed support for MLB expansion returning a second team to the Bay Area, questioning why the market is absent from current discussions involving Nashville, Portland, and Salt Lake City.

Monday’s series opener will be broadcast locally on Mariners.TV (Seattle feed) and NBCS-CA (Athletics feed). First pitch is scheduled for 9:40 PM ET (6:40 PM PT). Fans can stream the game in high definition on Fubo, which offers access to regional sports networks and national MLB coverage.

The Oakland Athletics (11-11) head to the Pacific Northwest this Monday, April 20, to face the Seattle Mariners (10-13) in a critical early-season AL West series. Oakland enters the contest surprisingly atop the division standings, looking to maintain their momentum on the road. The Mariners return home to T-Mobile Park where they have been formidable, boasting a 9-5 record in front of their home fans.

Oakland’s offense has been ignited by catcher Shea Langeliers, who leads the club with 6 home runs and a .310 average. He is joined by veteran Max Muncy and rookie Nick Kurtz in a lineup that has proven dangerous when hitting for power. Seattle counters with a balanced attack led by Luke Raley and Randy Arozarena, the latter of whom has been a consistent multi-hit threat. Catch every pitch and stolen base live on Fubo.

The pitching duel features a battle of young right-handers. The Athletics turn to J.T. Ginn (0-0), who has been solid with a 3.31 ERA through his initial outings. He faces Mariners' Emerson Hancock (2-1), who has been sensational with a 2.28 ERA and a microscopic 0.76 WHIP. You can witness this divisional clash streaming live on Fubo.

The key storyline for Oakland is their power surge; the A's are 5-1 this season when hitting at least two home runs. For Seattle, the focus is on their dominance at home and Hancock’s ability to navigate a high-power lineup. If the Mariners can find their rhythm at the plate early, they are in a prime position to leapfrog Oakland in the standings. Fubo is your home for the complete broadcast.

Athletics vs. Mariners Betting Odds & Predictions

The Mariners enter the series opener as home favorites. Oddsmakers are banking on Hancock’s elite early-season form and Seattle’s strong home record to carry the day against the A's.

Prediction: Emerson Hancock has shown incredible control to start 2026, and the Mariners' offense is notoriously difficult to beat at T-Mobile Park. Expect a tight contest where Seattle's pitching proves the difference. Final Score: Mariners 4, Athletics 2.

Individual Matchups: Stars and Playmakers

The marquee matchup features the power of Shea Langeliers against the precision of Emerson Hancock. Langeliers has been the most consistent threat in the Oakland lineup this April.

Seattle relies on the breakout performance of Luke Raley and the veteran presence of Randy Arozarena to anchor their offense at home.

Stream the MLB on Fubo

Fubo is the essential destination for baseball fans. Catch regional sports networks like Mariners.TV and NBCS-CA, national broadcasts, and premier matchups with the most flexible streaming plans available, ensuring you never miss a highlight from the Athletics or Mariners.

Fubo: New subscribers can check out current promotions to ensure they have access to local and national MLB coverage for the season. Follow the Mariners as they chase another AL West title.

Frequently Asked Questions

Monday night brings a clash of AL West rivals as the Texas Rangers (8-7) visit the Oakland Athletics (8-7) at their transitional home in West Sacramento. Both teams enter the series with identical records, but very different vibes: Texas is looking to find the veteran consistency that has eluded them early on, while the Athletics have been one of the biggest surprises of 2026, playing a gritty "small ball" style that has them competing at the top of the division.

The Rangers come into this series after a high-profile split with the Dodgers, fueled by a scorching start from new addition Brandon Nimmo, who is batting .367. However, the pitching has been a concern, particularly for tonight's starter Nathan Eovaldi, who is looking to lower a ballooned 7.98 ERA. The Athletics counter with Luis Severino, who has been part of a rotation that recently shut down the Mets in a 1-0 gem. Catch every pitch of this divisional battle live on Fubo.

Rangers vs. Athletics Betting Odds & Predictions

Texas opens as the favorite on the moneyline, though the Athletics' recent 83% victory rate in their last six games has made this a tighter spread than usual. Oddsmakers are leaning toward a higher-scoring affair given Eovaldi's early-season struggles.

Prediction: While the Athletics are playing with massive momentum, Nathan Eovaldi is a veteran who typically finds his form under the lights of a divisional rivalry. Expect Nimmo and Seager to provide just enough run support to overcome the scrappy A's defense. Final Score: Rangers 6, Athletics 4.

Individual Matchups: Stars and Playmakers

The marquee matchup features the elite on-base ability of Brandon Nimmo against the veteran arm of Luis Severino. Nimmo enters the game on a four-game hitting streak and currently ranks 3rd in the MLB in batting average.

Oakland relies on Shea Langeliers to anchor the middle of the order. Langeliers is off to a scorching start, currently ranking 15th in the majors in slugging percentage.

Stream the MLB on Fubo

Fubo is the essential destination for baseball fans. Catch regional sports networks like RSN and NBCS-BA+, national broadcasts, and premier matchups with the most flexible streaming plans available, ensuring you never miss a highlight from the Rangers or Athletics.

Fubo: New subscribers can check out current promotions to ensure they have access to local and national MLB coverage for the season. Follow the Athletics as they aim for a surprising postseason push.

Frequently Asked Questions

Phil Garner, a three-time All-Star infielder who went on to manage the Astros to their first World Series appearance, has died. He was 76.

Garner's family issued a statement Sunday saying he had died Saturday after a two-plus-year battle with pancreatic cancer.

"Phil never lost his signature spark of life," Garner's son, Ty, said in a statement. "He was so well known for his love for baseball, which was with him until the end."

Major League Baseball's average salary climbed 3.4% to a record $5.34 million on Opening Day, according to an Associated Press study, with the New York Mets topping league payrolls for the fourth consecutive year at $352.2 million.

Mets outfielder Juan Soto remains the sport's highest-paid player for the second straight season at $61.9 million annually, placing him among the highest-compensated athletes across all major North American professional sports. New York Yankees outfielder Cody Bellinger ranks second at $42.5 million, followed by Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Zack Wheeler and Mets third baseman Bo Bichette, who are tied at $42 million. Toronto Blue Jays first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. sits fifth at $40.2 million, just ahead of Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge at $40 million.

Across sports, the top of the market is converging. Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott carries an average annual value of approximately $60 million in the NFL, while Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry earns $59.6 million in the NBA this season, putting all three leagues within a narrow range at the very top of the pay scale.

The broader salary picture, however, differs considerably by sport. The NBA's average salary for roster players sits just under $14 million during the 2025-26 season, driven by smaller rosters that concentrate league revenue among fewer players. The NFL average was approximately $3.2 million in 2025, reflecting the league's significantly larger rosters. MLB's $5.34 million average falls between the two, though roster sizes in baseball and football are substantially larger than in basketball.

The Los Angeles Dodgers ranked second in MLB payroll at $316.6 million, down slightly from $319.5 million last year. Their figure would rise to $395.2 million without present-value discounting applied to deferred contracts for nine players.

MLB's average salary has grown 28 percent under the current five-year collective bargaining agreement, which expires in December, an average annual increase of 5.6%. Six clubs carried payrolls above $250 million, up from four a year ago, while eight teams fell below $100 million, an increase from five.

The Detroit Tigers posted the largest year-over-year spending increase at $64.2 million, reaching $206.7 million after signing pitcher Framber Valdez and giving a significant raise to ace Tarik Skubal through arbitration. The Minnesota Twins recorded the steepest decline, slashing $46.3 million from its Opening Day payroll to settle at $96.5 million.

The Cleveland Guardians were the MLB's lowest-spending team at $62.3 million, less than one-fifth of the Mets' total outlay.

Yahoo Sports has released its annual 26-and-under organizational power rankings, evaluating all 30 MLB clubs on their young major league contributors and upper-level prospects. The Milwaukee Brewers claimed the top spot with a score of 22 out of 30, while the Colorado Rockies and San Diego Padres shared the bottom at nine points.

The rankings weight productive young big leaguers more heavily than unproven minor leaguers, with scores distributed across four categories: young MLB hitters, young MLB pitchers, prospect hitters, and prospect pitchers.

Milwaukee earned the crown behind outfielder Jackson Chourio, a deep young pitching staff led by Jacob Misiorowski and Quinn Priester, and a loaded prospect pool headlined by shortstop Jesus Made and catcher Jeferson Quero.

The Seattle Mariners ranked second at 21 points, driven by outfielder Julio Rodriguez and right-hander Bryan Woo. The Pittsburgh Pirates placed third at 18 points, earning a perfect 10-out-of-10 score for young MLB pitchers anchored by Paul Skenes.

The Boston Red Sox suffered the sharpest drop in this cycle, falling from first in 2025 to 11th. Despite an impressive young hitting core featuring Roman Anthony and Marcelo Mayer, Boston's pitching depth dragged its overall score to 16.

The Baltimore Orioles dropped from second to seventh despite Gunnar Henderson's continued emergence. Their young pitching staff scored just one out of ten, reflecting significant rotation concerns.

San Diego's fall from 15th to 29th was equally dramatic. The Padres' young core is nearly entirely dependent on outfielder Jackson Merrill, with limited depth elsewhere.

The Kansas City Royals earned a perfect 10-out-of-10 for young MLB hitters, powered by Bobby Witt Jr., yet ranked ninth overall due to thin pitching across both categories.

Full 26-And-Under Rankings:

1. Milwaukee Brewers: 22/30
2. Seattle Mariners: 21/30
3. Pittsburgh Pirates: 18/30
4. Athletics: 18/30
5. Cincinnati Reds: 18/30
6. New York Mets: 18/30
7. Baltimore Orioles: 16/30
8. Arizona Diamondbacks: 16/30
9. Kansas City Royals: 16/30
10. Detroit Tigers: 16/30
11. Boston Red Sox: 16/30
12. Los Angeles Dodgers: 16/30
13. Cleveland Guardians: 16/30
14. Miami Marlins: 16/30
15. St. Louis Cardinals: 16/30
16. Chicago Cubs: 15/30
17. Washington Nationals: 15/30
18. Chicago White Sox: 15/30
19. New York Yankees: 15/30
20. Atlanta Braves: 14/30
21. Tampa Bay Rays: 14/30
22. Texas Rangers: 14/30
23. Minnesota Twins: 13/30
24. Toronto Blue Jays: 12/30
25. Los Angeles Angels: 12/30
26. Philadelphia Phillies: 10/30
27. Houston Astros: 10/30
28. San Francisco Giants: 9/30
29. San Diego Padres: 9/30
30. Colorado Rockies: 9/30