Seth Brown has officially elected free agency after clearing waivers with the Oakland Athletics, ending his tenure with the team. This decision comes after Brown was placed on waivers instead of being sent to the minor leagues following his latest injury stint that started on June 13, as reported by Anthony Franco of MLB Trade Rumors. The outfielder and first baseman will maintain his $2.7 million salary for the 2025 season as he seeks opportunities with a new organization.
From Underappreciated Prospect to Major League Regular
Brown’s journey with the Athletics began as a classic underdog story, making his major league debut at the age of 27 after years of grinding in the minors. He quickly became a familiar figure in the lineup starting in 2019 and remained a consistent presence through the 2024 season when healthy. His early years were marked by solid offensive output, including 20 home runs in 2021 and 25 in 2022. However, his performance declined in subsequent seasons, partly due to frequent injuries that limited his playing time. Only in 2022 did Brown exceed 400 plate appearances.
Career Statistics and Contributions to the Athletics
Assuming he does not return to Oakland, Brown’s career statistics with the A’s through 1,804 plate appearances include a batting average of .226, an on-base percentage of .292, and a slugging percentage of .419, resulting in a balanced weighted Runs Created Plus (wRC+) of 100. Over those plate appearances, Brown recorded 74 home runs. While his production tapered off toward the end of his time with the Athletics, his resilience and work ethic were widely recognized by fans and the organization alike.
Looking Ahead: What This Means for Brown and the Athletics
The move signals a mutual readiness between Brown, the Athletics, and their fan base to move on and explore new directions. Brown’s gritty determination helped sustain the team and its supporters during challenging seasons. His departure opens the door for Oakland to reshape its roster, while Brown’s retained salary and free agency status provide him a chance to restart his career elsewhere in Major League Baseball. The Athletics, meanwhile, continue to navigate a complex offseason and look toward developing emerging talent as they rebuild.
“Jacob Wilson (1,801,528 votes) advances to Phase 2 of All-Star voting as the leader at shortstop. Bobby Witt Jr. (1,306,825) also moves on. Wilson looks to become the first-ever rookie shortstop to win a fan All-Star election.” — Martín Gallegos, Reporter