Elephant Rumblings: A’s claim relievers Anthony Maldonado, Justin Sterner

MLB news roundup

Good morning A’s fans! Rise and shine! It’s Election Day in America!

The A’s made a pair of moves to fill up some empty spots on their 40-man roster yesterday, claiming a pair of pitchers off waivers from the two Florida clubs. The team added right-handed reliever Anthony Maldonado off of waivers from the Miami Marlins and then claimed fellow righty reliever Justin Sterner off of waivers from the Tampa Bay Rays:

The additions represent the first additions the club has made this offseason. Yes, it’s a pair of low-impact adds but the club entered the day with a ton of room on the 40-man roster.

First is Maldonado. The 27-year old right-hander made his big league debut this past year for Miami after five years in their minors. He steady rose up the ladder with above-average strikeout rates but also struggled with walks, an incredibly common problem for a lot of young arms. Maldonado still made it to The Show for the first time but things did not go well in his first taste of big league action. Over 19 innings the righty gave up 12 earned runs, failing to display his strikeout ability but still walking too many hitters. It was a small sample but he only had a 4.55 ERA in 33 relief outings for Triple-A. The club clearly sees something they like about Maldonado though, enough to make him one of the first additions this offseason. After all, it was only one year ago that Maldonado posted a pristine 1.62 over 37 relief outings at the minor’s highest level.

The other addition, Sterner also made his big league debut this past year but in a miniscule 2-game cup of coffee. Like Maldonado, Sterner was drafted and came up through the minor leagues with the same team, joining his first new club in his professional career. Sterner steadily rose through the minors to make it to Triple-A last season where he didn’t look great. The 28-year old took a major step forward in 2024 as he made 34 relief appearances while positing a 3.28 ERA. He did with a 31% strikeout rate while also keeping the walks under control. This is another interesting add to the bullpen mix.

Those additions beef up the options for the bullpen, which will have some open spots come spring. That said, both pitchers have multiple option years left so the team could easily stash them in Triple-A as long as they remain on the 40-man roster. No sure thing considering how early it is in the offseason, but definitely possible. The team will surely add some players through trades and to a lesser extent free agency in addition to players the team will need to protest from the Rule 5 draft, as well as their own selection for that draft.

The A’s are only just starting their offseason but they’ve already seen talent depart the organization. Now the team is adding, and that’s always way more exciting than subtracting. Who knows, maybe one of these relievers is the next diamond in the rough.

Have a fantastic week, AN. And remember to vote!!!

A’s Coverage:

• A’s claim Anthony Maldonado, Justin Sterner
• Why David Forst is eyeing trades over free agency as A’s look to improve roster
• Athletics remove ‘Oakland’ from social media

MLB News & Interest:

• Gerrit Cole Opts back in with Yankees on 4-year, $144MM contract
• Juan Soto among 13 players to receive Qualifying Offer
• Astros acquire outfielder Taylor Trammell from Yankees
• Braves setup reliever Joe Jimenez undergoes knee surgery, out 8-12 months
• Rangers starter Nathan Eovaldi declines $20MM option, becomes free agent
• Clayton Kershaw opts out of final year of Dodgers deal, still plans to resign
• Braves exercise Marcell Ozuna’s option for 2025, decline Travis d’Arnaud
• Former top prospect Sixto Sanchez elects free agency
• Phillies chairman expects higher payroll in 2025
• Silver Slugger Awards finalists revealed
• Study: Special mud rubbed on all MLB baseballs has unique, ‘magical’ properties
• Today in Baseball History

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