Height
6'3"
Weight
218 lbs
Age
33
College
App State
Draft
2015, Rd 30, #888
Experience
8 yrs
Bats/Throws
L/L
Fan Verdict
Grade this player:
Career StatsB-
| Year | Team | GP | ERA | W-L | K | WHIP | IP | SV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Career |  | 178 | 3.6367347 | 34-23 | 499 | 1.2367347 | 0.0 | 2 |
Current Contract
Length
4 years
Total Value
$31.0M
Guaranteed
$18.6M
AAV
$7.8M/yr
Contract Value Index (CVI)
Jeffrey Springs' four-year, $31.2M deal with the Athletics earns a C- CVI, reflecting the inherent risk in betting on a pitcher with significant injury concerns despite his proven upside. Springs showed legitimate front-of-rotation potential during his 2022 breakout with Tampa Bay, posting a 2.46 ERA across 135 innings, but Tommy John surgery wiped out most of his 2023 season and raised durability questions for a pitcher entering his age-32 season. At $7.8M AAV, the Athletics are paying above-average starter money for someone who could deliver ace-level performance when healthy — Springs' elite changeup and improved fastball velocity make him a legitimate difference-maker — but the four-year commitment feels excessive for Oakland's timeline. The A's are still building toward contention and likely won't be competitive until the back half of this deal, making Springs more valuable as a potential trade chip than a cornerstone piece. While the upside justifies the gamble if Springs stays healthy, the combination of injury risk, age curve concerns, and questionable organizational fit makes this a middling value proposition that could easily trend in either direction.
Fan & Media Sentiment
Jeffrey Springs finds himself in that unremarkable middle ground where competent veteran pitchers often reside — respected but not celebrated. The media narrative around the Athletics' $7.8M AAV starter reflects exactly what you'd expect from a solid mid-rotation arm: steady work against quality opponents like Toronto, organizational stability, and zero drama either on or off the field. What's particularly telling is how his B- sentiment grade actually trails his B+ performance grade, suggesting fans and media are slightly undervaluing what Springs brings to the table. His eight years of experience and clean injury record should command more respect than the "unremarkable" tag he's carrying, especially given how rare reliable starting pitching has become across MLB. The perception gap likely stems from Springs operating in baseball's forgotten middle class — too consistent to generate concern, but not dominant enough to generate excitement. A few standout performances against marquee opponents or a deeper postseason run could easily shift the narrative from "dependable depth" to "underrated veteran leader." For now, Springs sits comfortably in that sweet spot where front offices appreciate his value more than highlight reels do.
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