Why Ryan O’Hearn Could Be the Ideal Free Agent Addition for the A’s
When it comes to winning baseball games, the name of the game is simple: score more than your opponent — however you can.
With a long offseason ahead, the Oakland Athletics may be looking to add a veteran presence who brings both versatility in the field and consistency at the plate heading into the 2026 season. Ryan O’Hearn fits that profile perfectly.
O’Hearn just completed his eighth MLB season, having split 2025 between the Baltimore Orioles and San Diego Padres. He began his career with the Kansas City Royals, spending five years there before being traded to Baltimore in early 2023. After a solid run, the Orioles brought him back on a one-year deal and later exercised his $8 million club option for 2025.
The 31-year-old has quietly become a reliable power hitter, logging 20+ doubles and 14+ homers in each of the last three seasons, along with 59 or more RBIs in each. He earned All-Star honors in 2025 for his strong first-half performance with Baltimore. After a midseason trade to San Diego — where he was dealt alongside ex-Athletic Ramón Laureano — O’Hearn continued his steady production.
He finished 2025 with 17 home runs, 63 RBI, and a solid .281/.366/.437 slash line, good for an .803 OPS. He also played in a career-high 144 games and posted a personal-best 2.4 bWAR.
For comparison, only Nick Kurtz had a better on-base percentage (.383) than O’Hearn’s .366 among A’s hitters in 2025. Jacob Wilson followed with a .355 OBP, and O’Hearn’s OPS would have ranked fifth on the team.
Beyond his offense, O’Hearn brings valuable positional flexibility. He made starts at first base (75), designated hitter (50), right field (21), and even left field (2). With Kurtz and Brent Rooker likely anchoring first base and DH roles, O’Hearn would probably need more time in the outfield to play every day. That could work out, especially with Lawrence Butler’s recovery timeline still uncertain due to injury. O’Hearn has been a strong defender at first and holds his own in right field.
Finding a consistent spot for him on the field may be a challenge, but there’s no question he’d add depth and reliability to an already powerful lineup.
The A’s were one of just four MLB teams in 2025 to feature three players with 30+ home runs, so power isn’t lacking. However, O’Hearn’s experience and steady presence could provide a safety net — especially if any of the young breakout stars regress.
For a young Athletics team looking to stay competitive and continue developing its core talent, bringing in a veteran like O’Hearn makes a lot of sense. Adding offense is just as crucial as improving the pitching staff, and O’Hearn checks a lot of boxes for a team ready to take the next step.
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