Eric Lauer may have landed on Mark Kotsay's radar fast after the Blue Jays designated him for assignment.
Toronto cut Lauer loose Monday, ending a rough stretch that followed a much better 2025 season. The Blue Jays made the move after he posted a 6.69 ERA and a 1.49 WHIP through 8 appearances.
That is why the A's angle stands out right away. An A's On SI report argued Oakland cannot afford to ignore Lauer, pointing to the club's need for another left-hander in the bullpen.
That is not the same as an official deal taking shape. But it does reflect a fit that is easy to see from the outside, especially for a club still looking for another usable lefty behind Hogan Harris.
The A's case starts with role. Lauer was stretched into the Blue Jays' rotation because Toronto's pitching injuries kept opening holes, even though his best short-term path may have been relief.
That context matters more than the raw stat line. He was asked to cover starter innings, worked behind openers at times, and never looked fully settled in that setup.
For Oakland, the appeal is simpler. Lauer can give multiple innings, work from the left side, and ease some pressure on a bullpen mix that has leaned heavily on Harris as its main southpaw.
Lauer fits what the A's are missing
The SI piece laid out 2 reasons the A's should push on this. First, Oakland needs another left-handed bullpen option. Second, Lauer brings recent postseason experience, which matters for a club trying to take a real step forward.
There is also a rebound case here. The report noted Lauer's four-seam velocity dipped to 90.4 mph this season from 91.7 mph last year, and a cleaner relief role could help some of that life play back up.
That kind of bet makes sense for the A's because the cost would be low. If Lauer clears waivers or becomes available cheaply, Oakland would not need to hand over much for a pitcher with a track record of covering real innings.
And there is still something useful in his recent résumé. MLB.com wrote in March that Lauer had become Toronto's «great counterweight,» the arm who could shift between jobs depending on the staff's needs.
That flexibility is exactly why this pairing has legs, even if «very interested» has not been confirmed by the club itself. The A's do not need a savior here. They need a lefty who can help them get through the middle of games.
So while Oakland has not publicly declared a move for Eric Lauer, the fit is strong enough that this will keep drawing attention. After the Blue Jays' DFA, the A's have a left-hander sitting in front of them who looks tough to ignore.
Should the A's take a shot on Eric Lauer after the Blue Jays DFA'd him?
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