A’s Acquire Ross Stripling From Giants In Exchange For Jonah Cox

Image credit: OAKLAND, CA - AUGUST 5: Ross Stripling #48 of the San Francisco Giants pitches during the game against the Oakland Athletics at RingCentral Coliseum on August 5, 2023 in Oakland, California. The Athletics defeated the Giants 2-1. (Photo by Michael Zagaris/Oakland Athletics/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Ross Stripling

The A’s made a deal with their Bay Area rival to add pitching depth on Friday, acquiring RHP Ross Stripling from the Giants in exchange for OF Jonah Cox. 

Stripling, 34, struggled to a 5.36 ERA over 89 innings in 2023 sandwiched around two separate trips to the injured list with a back injury. The righthander worked in a variety of roles for San Francisco including both as a starter and bulk reliever and picked up his $12.5 million player option in November. The Giants are including cash considerations in the deal. He’ll join former Giants teammate Alex Wood, who recently signed a one-year deal with the A’s. 

Oakland drafted Cox in the sixth round of the 2023 draft out of Oral Roberts. He appeared in 28 games for Low-A Stockton, hitting .264/.325/.373 with 14 steals on 16 attempts.

ATHLETICS RECEIVE

Ross Stripling, RHP
Age: 34

Stripling was particularly impacted by the long ball in 2023, allowing 20 homers over his 22 outings. While he endured back woes, his command and velocity weren’t notably impacted and he got better throughout the season. Stripling has moved away from using his low-90s four-seam fastball over the last three seasons and threw it just a quarter of the time in 2023, instead turning to his slider and a sinker more frequently. While it’s rare to see the A’s take on salary, his versatility is appealing. Oakland has plenty of innings to fill in its rotation with LHP JP Sears and RHP Paul Blackburn the only sure-thing returning starters. The A’s will hope to unlock the version of Stripling who was a useful contributor to both the Dodgers and Blue Jays. One sign for optimism for Stripling heading into the 2024 season could be his first and second half splits in 2023. In the first half of the season Stripling pitched to a 6.37 ERA and 5.96 FIP and in the second half he pitched to a 4.50 ERA and 4.57 FIP. His fastball velocity in his final three outings in September was 93 mph or better—a half tick higher than his 92.5 mph season average.

GIANTS RECEIVE

Jonah Cox, OF 
Age: 22

The son of big leaguer Darron Cox, Jonah hit .412 in the Summit League to win the conference’s player of the year award in 2023 and finish as a Baseball America third-team All-American. He’s an athletic slasher type who runs well both in the outfield and on the bases. Cox has made plenty of contact dating back to his days as an amateur. There’s some skepticism, though, his swing path is conducive to power. He’ll also need to rein in his aggressive approach. Still, the contact skills are there – he compiled a 47-game hit streak at Oral Roberts – and the A’s were internally encouraged by his debut. Cox doesn’t have the strongest throwing arm but has the range and speed to stick in center. He played primarily outfield with the A’s but does have experience at second base as an amateur. He profiles as a potential fourth outfielder with a chance for more if he can unlock more oomph. Cox ranked No. 29 in Oakland’s Preseason Top 30 Prospects.