This story was excerpted from Martín Gallegos' A's Beat newsletter. To read the full newsletter, click here. And subscribe to get it regularly in your inbox.

As we turn the calendar to a new year, it is only natural to look ahead at what 2025 might bring for the A’s.

After going 39-37 over their final 76 games of 2024 to finish with a 69-93 record and improve upon their ‘23 overall win total by 19 games, the A's are hopeful that next year will represent a shift out of a rebuilding phase and into playoff contention. They will look to do so with a core group of players identified as key pieces of their future -- such as Lawrence Butler, Mason Miller, Brent Rooker, Zack Gelof, Shea Langeliers, JJ Bleday, Jacob Wilson and Tyler Soderstrom -- along with players acquired to address their needs this offseason -- such as right-hander Luis Severino, left-hander Jeffrey Springs and third baseman Gio Urshela.

Here’s a look ahead to 2025 for the A’s.

One (realistic) free-agent target who would still be a perfect fit: RHP Andrew Kittredge
After fortifying their rotation with Severino and Springs and seemingly addressing their third-base need with the signing of Urshela, the Athletics could next look to their bullpen, which improved vastly in 2024 but still is short on experienced relievers outside of left-hander T.J. McFarland. Kittredge was a strong setup man to All-Star closer Ryan Helsley last season for the Cardinals, and his 38.9 percent chase rate that led all qualified Major Leaguers would benefit the A’s greatly as they prepare to move into the more hitter-friendly Sutter Health Park in West Sacramento.

One player poised to have a breakout season: RF Lawrence Butler
Butler’s fantastic finish to his 2024 campaign generated plenty of excitement as to what could be in store for '25. Adjusting his approach following an early-season demotion to Triple-A Las Vegas, Butler slashed .302/.346/.597 with 20 home runs, 18 doubles, two triples, 49 RBIs and 14 stolen bases over his final 73 games. Add in the fact that Butler and the A’s will be moving to a more hitter-friendly home ballpark, and the 24-year old outfielder could be a candidate for a 30-30 season.

One prospect to watch in 2025: SS Jacob Wilson
The excitement about the rapid rise of Wilson -- who reached the Majors in July, just 376 days after the A’s selected him sixth overall in the 2023 MLB Draft -- was marred after a left hamstring injury limited his big league exposure to 28 games. Entering 2025 with expectations to be the club’s everyday shortstop, Wilson (A's No. 1 prospect/MLB No. 24) is viewed by many as an early Rookie of the Year candidate after showing off his elite hitting skills by batting near or over .400 at each Minor League level he played at last season.

One prediction for the new year: Brent Rooker and Lawrence Butler finish top 10 in American League Most Valuable Player voting
Few offensive duos performed better than Rooker and Butler over the second half of 2024. From July 2 on, the two combined to hit .313 (176-for-563) with 44 home runs, 29 doubles and 114 RBIs over the A’s final 76 games of the season. The entire lineup is going to benefit from the shift to the more hitter-friendly Sutter Health Park after playing in the pitchers’ paradise that was the Oakland Coliseum, which sets up Rooker and Butler for even bigger offensive numbers in 2025.