Oakland A’s Lean on Internal Options at Third Base

The Oakland Athletics spent the winter shoring up second base by adding Jeff McNeil. Third base still looms as a big question mark with Opening Day creeping closer.

There’s no obvious answer on the roster, and top prospect Leo De Vries is still cooking in the minors. The A’s seem set to roll into 2025 with one of the least proven third base groups in baseball—by choice, honestly, since the front office is more focused on fixing a shaky rotation than chasing veteran infielders.

A’s Lock In Jeff McNeil, Leave Hot Corner Wide Open

The big infield move? The Athletics traded for Jeff McNeil from the Mets, sending pitching prospect Yordan Rodriguez to New York and agreeing to eat $10 million of McNeil’s contract. That was a pretty clear signal about second base—and, maybe by accident, about third as well.

General manager David Forst didn’t leave much room for doubt: McNeil is the club’s primary second baseman. That closes the door on shuffling guys around, so now the pressure’s all on an unsettled internal fight at third base.

Internal Battle at Third Base: Muncy, Hernaiz, Harris

With McNeil locked in at second, the A’s will look internally to fill third base. Forst named Max Muncy, Darell Hernaiz, and Brett Harris as the main contenders going into Spring Training.

None of these three have really grabbed the job in their limited big league chances. Still, each brings something different to the table:

• Brett Harris: Showed the best offensive results in a tiny MLB sample and can put together some decent at-bats.
• Max Muncy: Has some pop and can get on base, but strikeouts really held him back in his first big league stint.
• Darell Hernaiz: Makes steady contact, but his lack of power is a real issue at a spot where teams usually want more offense.

The front office is clearly hoping one of these young guys figures it out. For now, though, third base is wide open and not exactly a team strength.

Where Does Zack Gelof Fit in the Infield Picture?

Zack Gelof’s status is one of the more interesting subplots. Not long ago, he looked like a future building block, but injuries and role questions have thrown a wrench into things.

Forst didn’t commit to Gelof as part of the third base mix. There are a couple reasons: Gelof is still recovering from shoulder surgery, and he hasn’t played third base since Triple-A back in 2022.

From Breakout Rookie to Regression Risk

Gelof’s career arc has been a bit of a roller coaster. As a rookie in 2023, he flashed real promise, hitting 14 home runs and looking like a possible middle-of-the-order threat.

By 2025, though, things had changed. Injuries kept him off the field, and when he did play, strikeout problems dulled his impact at the plate.

The talent is still there, but health questions and defensive fit make his immediate role unclear. Right now, he’s more of a wild card than an answer at third base.

One of MLB’s Weakest Third Base Situations—For Now

On paper, the A’s are heading into the season with a third base group that’s probably among the weakest in MLB. There’s some upside if Muncy or Harris breaks out, but honestly, Oakland’s depth here is more about hope than proven production.

The organizational timeline doesn’t help. The A’s have a possible long-term answer in Leo De Vries, but he’s starting the year in Double-A, not Oakland.

Leo De Vries: The Future, Just Not the Present

De Vries is widely seen as a top prospect and could eventually stabilize the position. For now, though, the plan is to let him develop in the minors, probably at Double-A, and only consider a late-season debut if he really forces the issue with his performance.

Why the A’s Aren’t Shopping Hard for Veteran Third Basemen

With so few proven options, you’d think the A’s might look at the veteran market. Guys like Yoán Moncada or Ramón Urías should be available pretty cheap, and either one could bring more certainty than the current crew.

But the front office has other priorities. Instead of patching third base with a stopgap, Oakland is reportedly focused on adding starting pitching, which makes sense after last year’s rotation finished near the bottom of the league.

Rotation First, Infield Later

The plan feels pretty obvious: fix the pitching first, then start thinking about the infield. Third base turns into a bit of a gamble—let’s see what the internal options can do, live with some bumps, and keep spending focused on arms.

For A’s fans, this year’s third-base situation isn’t about big names. It’s about opportunity.

Someone from the Muncy–Hernaiz–Harris–Gelof crew could step up and grab the job, since honestly, it’s wide open. Meanwhile, the front office will wait and hope Leo De Vries develops into a real answer down the line.

 
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