Elephant Rumblings: Midweek Update

Athletics Nation writer Ben Wiley provides a midweek update discussing the Athletics' recent front-office changes alongside broader MLB news. Wiley highlights Oakland's hiring of 31-year-old Taylor Smith as president of baseball operations following his stints with the Tampa Bay Rays and Boston Red Sox. The piece also notes the upcoming 2026 World Series matchup between the Milwaukee Brewers and the Rays, which begins Friday in Milwaukee.

Wiley argues that the Athletics urgently need pitching help this offseason despite having a solid offensive core. He suggests starter Clay Holmes could be an effective target if he enters free agency, while also proposing the trade market as an alternative route to acquire arms using surplus hitters like Zach Gelof and Shea Langeliers.