MLB Analyst Puts Pressure on Two A's Players to Bounce Back in 2026

Outside of pitching, the A's need these two to step up.

Published on Feb. 26, 2026

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The Oakland Athletics are coming off a solid 2025 season, led by their powerful offense that ranked seventh in MLB with 219 home runs. However, their pitching struggled with a 4.70 ERA, placing them in the bottom four of the league. The front office addressed this by acquiring Jeff McNeil from the New York Mets to play second base, but McNeil is coming off an inconsistent season. Another player who failed to deliver last season was Lawrence Butler, who took a step back from his strong 2024 campaign. Bleacher Report's Tim Kelly has put the pressure on McNeil and Butler to bounce back in 2026 and help the A's continue moving in the right direction, even if they aren't expected to make the playoffs this year.

Why it matters

The A's are a few years away from moving to Las Vegas, so they are laying the foundation for the future. If McNeil and Butler can return to form, the A's could have a scary lineup that could make them a contender in the near future.

The details

The A's blasted 219 home runs in 2025, ranking them seventh across baseball. However, their pitching was a weakness, as the starting pitchers and relievers combined for a 4.70 ERA, placing them in the bottom four of the league. The front office addressed this by acquiring Jeff McNeil in a trade with the New York Mets, who will serve as the club's second baseman going forward. McNeil is coming off an inconsistent season. Another player who failed to deliver last season was Lawrence Butler, who took a step back from his strong 2024 campaign.

  • The A's are coming off their best record since the 2021 season.
  • The A's are a few years away from making the move to Las Vegas.

The players

Jeff McNeil

A second baseman acquired by the A's in a trade with the New York Mets, who is coming off an inconsistent season.

Lawrence Butler

An A's player who took a step back in 2025 after a strong 2024 campaign.

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What they’re saying

“The question here isn't whether they'll win 90 games. They aren't. But might they win 80? Sure, this lineup—particularly if Jeff McNeil and/or Lawrence Butler can bounce back—is good enough for Mark Kotsay's club to continue moving in the right direction.”

— Tim Kelly, Bleacher Report Analyst (Bleacher Report)

The takeaway

This case highlights the importance of key players like Jeff McNeil and Lawrence Butler bouncing back for the A's, as they look to lay the foundation for a successful future in Las Vegas. If these two can return to form, the A's could have a formidable lineup that could make them a contender in the near future.