The Nolan Arenado saga didn’t just end in Arizona — it almost ended with the A’s pulling off one of the boldest moves of the offseason. According to Ken Rosenthal, the A’s and Cardinals actually had a deal in place, with the A’s willing to take on more money than the Diamondbacks to get it done. That’s not a rumor. That’s not fan fiction. That’s real front-office intent. The only thing that killed it? Arenado himself, using his no-trade clause to steer toward teams he felt had a better shot at October. And that’s the real story here: the A’s tried. They weren’t bargain hunting. They weren’t dumpster diving. They went shopping in the luxury aisle.

So what does that tell us? The A’s are officially in “act like a real franchise” mode heading into the Vegas timeline. Third base is the last obvious hole in an otherwise dangerous young lineup, and even a 35-year-old Arenado would’ve raised the floor immediately over Max Muncy. But this also exposes the reality check: players still don’t fully buy the playoff pitch, the temporary ballpark doesn’t help, and the AL Wild Card path is a bloodbath compared to the NL. The interest was real, the money was real, the ambition was real — but credibility still has to be earned. This episode breaks down what the failed Arenado deal actually means, why it matters, and where the A’s go next at third base.

Athletics, A's, Nolan Arenado, Arenado trade, A's rumors, MLB trades, MLB rumors, St Louis Cardinals, Arizona Diamondbacks, Ken Rosenthal, A's third base, Max Muncy, Nick Kurtz, Jacob Wilson, Brent Rooker, Shea Langeliers, Lawrence Butler, Tyler Soderstrom, A's rebuild, Las Vegas Athletics, MLB offseason, trade deadline, A's podcast, Locked On A's

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Join our LOCKED ON A'S INSIDERS texting community and chat with host Booney any time by clicking this link: https://joinsubtext.com/lockedonas. Booney provides one-on-ones, breaking news, show previews, A's breakdowns, and offseason updates. Try it FREE for 14 days! https://joinsubtext.com/lockedonas

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The 2025 MLB Draft is almost here, and the A’s are on the clock with the 11th overall pick. In this jam-packed episode of Locked On A’s, Booney breaks down the top prospects expected to be available when the A’s makes its selection. From dynamic college bats like Arizona outfielder Brendan Summerhill to power arms like Oklahoma’s Kyson Witherspoon, we cover the scouting reports, comps to current MLB players, and why each guy could be a franchise-altering pick. There’s also a deep dive into team needs – spoiler alert: it’s pitching, pitching, and more pitching – and how that could shape the front office’s draft board.

But it doesn’t stop with Round 1. We dig into potential second-round steals at pick #48, sleepers who could pop in the fourth and fifth rounds, and the impact of not having a third-rounder this year. Whether it’s high-upside prep bats like Xavier Neyens or college standouts like Max Belyeu and Luke Stevenson, Booney lays out a roadmap of what the A’s could (and should) do over all 20 rounds. You’ll get the comps, the analytics, and the front-office mindset behind every possible move.

Plus, we set the stage for tonight’s 9:00 PM LIVE show, where you – the fans – get to jump in and play GM. Bring your bold predictions, favorite prospects, and draft hot takes to the table. This isn’t just a preview – it’s a war room simulation with the most diehard A’s fans on the planet. Subscribe now, smash that like button, and let’s draft the future of the green and gold together.

This episode is all about honesty, not optimism. The A’s offseason gets graded like a final exam — what worked, what didn’t, and what fans are pretending not to see. No participation trophies, no “wait and see,” just a clear-eyed breakdown of whether this winter actually moved the franchise forward or just shuffled the furniture. With Aaron (That Bootleg Huy) and Sam (Straight A’s) on the panel, the grades come with debate, pushback, and a whole lot of truth serum.

From there, the focus shifts to the projected 2026 A’s starting lineup and why this roster looks far more real than the national conversation admits. Who’s locked in, who’s still auditioning, and why the foundation is sturdier than people think. The show closes by torching the tired take that the Dodgers are “bad for baseball,” calling out fan insecurity, selective outrage, and why spending money isn’t ruining the sport — whining about it is.

A's offseason grade, A's offseason analysis, A's 2026 lineup, A's starting lineup 2026, A's rebuild, A's roster breakdown, MLB offseason grades, Dodgers bad for baseball, Dodgers payroll, MLB competitive balance, Locked On A's, Athletics baseball, MLB offseason discussion, baseball podcast, MLB hot takes

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oin the Everydayer Club today and get Locked on A’s with no interruptions, members-only Discord access, and more — all for just $5 a month or $50 a year. Go to https://lockedonas.supercast.com/

Did Locked On Locked on A’s make your Spotify Wrapped? Prove it on social media to secure a free month of our brand new Everydayer Club. Just tag our national Locked On Podcast Network account on any social platform, and we'll drop you a code. Be one of the first to join the Everydayer Club to get your favorite show ad-free and exclusive access to the members-only Discord channel.

Join our LOCKED ON A'S INSIDERS texting community and chat with host Booney any time by clicking this link: https://joinsubtext.com/lockedonas. Booney provides one-on-ones, breaking news, show previews, A's breakdowns, and offseason updates. Try it FREE for 14 days! https://joinsubtext.com/lockedonas

Follow the show on Twitter/X, Instagram, and TikTok: @lockedonas

Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors!

TurboTax

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FanDuel

Today's episode is brought to you by FanDuel. FanDuel is officially in Playoff Mode. So visit FanDuel — an Official Sportsbook Partner of the NFL — and grab your Profit Boost Pack every NFL playoff game day.

FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as non-withdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN)

#Athletics #LasVegasAthletics #MLB

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