The A’s didn’t whisper their intentions—they blasted them through a megaphone. JJ Bleday, the Opening Day center fielder for the past two seasons, has been designated for assignment after another up-and-down year that teased promise but delivered frustration. His defense cratered, the strikeouts spiked, and the bat never stabilized long enough to justify a $2.2 million arbitration tag. Instead, the club turned the page decisively, opening the door for defensive dynamo Denzel Clarke to take over center field duties in 2026. And just like that, a former top-10 pick becomes another cautionary tale of potential that never found a permanent home.
But while one chapter ends, three far bigger ones begin. Braden Nett, Junior Perez, and Chen Zhong-Ao Zhuang all lock in 40-man roster spots—three prospects whose very presence signals the franchise’s accelerating shift toward a long-term core. Nett brings strikeout electricity and real starter upside if the command sharpens. Perez has thunder in his bat and took a huge step forward in 2025. Zhuang quietly logged 145 innings with elite control and an above-average changeup. These aren’t filler picks. These are future pieces. And the A’s are letting the league know exactly who they’re building around.
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A’s DFA JJ Bleday, JJ Bleday designated for assignment, A’s roster moves, A’s 40-man roster, Rule 5 Draft protection, Braden Nett added, Junior Perez added, Chen Zhong-Ao Zhuang added, A’s prospects, A’s news, A’s breaking news, A’s center field, Denzel Clarke, MLB DFA news, A’s offseason, A’s rebuild, A’s future core, Sutter Health Park, A’s outfield changes, A’s player development
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