Zack

Gelof

Rodriguez is a 17-year-old that the A’s signed a year ago. According to ESPN’s Jeff Passan, the Mets are giving the A’s $5.75 million of the $15.75 million that McNeil is owed next year and will also cover his $2 million buyout on his $15.75 million option for 2027, assuming that it’s not exercised. McNeil, who was cast aside in favor of Marcus Semien in New York, figures to take over at second for the A’s, who previously tried to sign Ha-Seong Kim for that spot. Zack Gelof will get to battle Max Muncy and others for the third base job, assuming that the A’s also don’t fill that spot with a veteran.

Kim would have been guaranteed just $48 million, though bonuses probably would have pushed his salaries higher. It’s interesting that the A’s were willing to make such a commitment to a middle infielder, given that Jacob Wilson is locked in and top prospect Leo De Vries, the primary return in the Mason Miller trade, might be ready in 2027. Still, the A’s probably ought to commit at least a one-year deal to a starter at second or third. Right now, they have Zack Gelof, Max Muncy, Max Schuemann, Darell Hernaiz, Brett Harris and Michael Stefanic as possibilities at those two spots.

Gelof will miss the final week of the regular season after suffering a dislocated left shoulder during Friday’s game in Pittsburgh. The 25-year-old’s contact issues persist, but he remains a decent power/speed source in extremely deep mixed leagues, when healthy.

Gelof sustained the injury while diving for a ground ball in shallow right field. He’ll officially be placed on the injured list on Saturday. The 25-year-old finishes a tumultuous season slashing an abysmal .174/.230/.272 with two homers, seven RBI, one stolen base and a 46/7 K/BB ratio over 101 plate appearances.

Gelof showed some initial signs of life after being recalled late last month, but his playing time has waned again as he finds himself 3-for-22 with no extra-base hits in his last 10 appearances. At .176/.224/.275 with 45 strikeouts in 99 plate appearances, he just hasn’t made much of a case for being in the Athletics’ plans to begin 2026.

Gelof is 7-for-29 with two homers since the A’s opted to give him another chance last week. Unfortunately, it comes with a 15/0 K/BB ratio. He needs to show some faint ability to control the strike zone this month if he wants to be a 2026 regular.

Gelof hit his first homer of the season when he took Casey Mize deep in the second inning. He drove in two more runs on a double in the eighth to extend the A’s lead to 7-0. Gelof is hitting just .111/.154/.122 in 2025, but 36 at-bats is a sample that can’t be taken too seriously. It’s hard to trust Gelof in 2025, but he’s a name that shouldn’t be forgotten in keeper/dynasty formats.

Gelof has done some serious damage to Triple-A pitching — posting a robust .897 OPS with 11 homers and nine steals in 33 contests — since being demoted to the minors back in mid-July. He went 2-for-25 with zero extra-base hits and 13 strikeouts in eight games following his season debut back on July 4. The 25-year-old former top prospect’s omnipresent contact issues persist, but his power/speed combo remains firmly intact. He’s more of a deep-league option at the moment, but it wouldn’t be shocking if he heated up and provided some mixed-league value over the final five weeks.

Gelof could use some extra at-bats during next week’s All-Star break out of the spotlight after going 2-for 25 with zero extra-base hits and 13 strikeouts in eight games since making his season debut back on July 4. The Athletics will likely roll with some combination of Max Muncy and Luis Urías at the keystone while he’s back in the minors.

The dynamic 25-year-old second baseman will make his highly anticipated return to the A’s lineup on Friday evening against the Giants. Gelof will bat eighth against Giants’ right-hander Justin Verlander for his season debut on Friday night in West Sacramento. He makes for an intriguing addition in deeper mixed leagues for those looking for power and speed out of a middle infield spot. Just don’t anticipate him hitting for a good batting average.