Coming into the offseason, the A’s were looking to supplement a young and inexperienced pitching staff with a veteran-type starter who can provide guidance. On Friday, they added a pair of arms who fit that mold.
In addition to officially announcing the signing of veteran left-hander Alex Wood to a one-year deal, the A’s pulled off a rare transaction with their rivals across the bay, acquiring right-hander Ross Stripling from the Giants in exchange for Minor League outfielder Jonah Cox. To clear space on Oakland’s 40-man roster, left-hander Francisco Perez was outrighted to Triple-A Las Vegas and infielder Jonah Bride was designated for assignment.
The A’s will also be acquiring cash considerations in the deal. Stripling is due to make $12.5 million this upcoming season in what will be the final year of a two-year, $25 million deal he signed with San Francisco in December 2022.
TRADE DETAILS
A’s get: RHP Ross Stripling, cash
Giants get: OF Jonah Cox
Wood, an All-Star in 2017 with the Dodgers, has proven to be a durable arm over his career by going 76-65 with a 3.74 ERA over 269 games (202 starts) in 11 big league seasons. After combining for 269 1/3 innings from 2021-22 as a mainstay of the Giants’ rotation, he was utilized in more of a swingman role in ‘23. Dealing with separate back and hamstring injuries, the 33-year-old made 12 starts and appeared in a total of 29 games, posting a 4.33 ERA with 74 strikeouts and 42 walks in 97 2/3 innings.
Stripling, also an All-Star with the Dodgers, but in 2018, is 38-43 with a 3.96 ERA in 226 games, including 115 starts, in eight seasons in the Majors with the Dodgers (2016-20), Blue Jays (2020-22) and Giants (2023). The 34-year-old worked in a role similar to Wood with San Francisco last season and was 0-5 with a 5.36 ERA and an .818 opponents OPS in 22 games (11 starts), with 70 strikeouts and just 16 walks in 89 innings.
For an Oakland rotation that tied a Major League record with 24 different starting pitchers used last season and whose 738 innings pitched were the least by any staff in the American League, Wood and Stripling bring track records that the A’s are hopeful will help provide more stability in that area.
