How Sean Newcomb’s Roller-Coaster 2025 Campaign Quietly Defined the A’s Season More Than Anyone Realized .MH
Sean Newcomb’s first go-around with the A’s was nondescript, similar to his entire career to that point, but after the Red Sox signed him for $1M and decided to move on from him mid-season, the A’s decided to give Newcomb another whirl. And it paid off in spades.
How Was He Acquired?
On May 27th, the A’s acquired Newcomb from the Red Sox for cash considerations, a minor under-the-radar deal at a time when the A’s were reeling having lost 11 straight before a May 25th win and about to lose their next 9. The bullpen was a huge part of the problem, which probably explains why the A’s were hunting for a reliever.
What Were The Expectations?
The expectations were probably pretty mild in that Newcomb had posted a 6.30 ERA for the A’s in 2024 with 8 BB in 10 IP and had been so-so for Boston with a 3.95 ERA and 55 hits allowed in 41 IP. The A’s were trying anything and everything to stop the bleeding and re-acquiring Newcomb was probably more of a “why not?” than one filled with much expectation.
2025 Results
Somehow the A’s bullpen performed much better after trading Mason Miller than before, and Newcomb was a huge part of the bullpen’s post All-Star break success. The lefty always had 1st round (15th overall pick) pedigree but never put it together — until the second half of 2025.
Newcomb threw 28 IP after the All-Star break allowing 19 hits and just 3 ER (0.96 ERA). The control issues seen in 2024 vanished as he walked just 6 while striking out 27. His curve baffled hitters and his 94 MPH fastball got in on them quickly.
Overall for the A’s, Newcomb posted a 1.75 ERA in 51.1 IP showing the versatility to throw multiple innings or come in to dominate a LH batter or two. Appearing in 32 games (1/5 of a full season) for the A’s he accrued an impressive 1.0 WAR.
Newcomb was so good that the A’s might have significant interest in resigning him. However it takes two to tango and Newcomb is from Middleborough, Massachusetts so it has been suggested he might prefer to sign with an east coast team. Or he could choose to stay in the only place he has had big success with the organization that gave him not one but two chances.
Community Question
What would you offer Newcomb in order to lure him back? (Or do you want him back?) Relievers are notably fickle and since debuting (as a SP) in 2017 Newcomb has more shaky seasons than solid ones. He also has a career K rate of over a batter per inning (523.1 IP, 529 K) and may have found a higher gear at age 32. It’s a question for David Forst and thus one for all of us armchair GMs…
