First day of the 2025 MLB Winter Meetings in Orlando buzzed with the kind of off-season energy that makes you feel like baseball just rebooted for 2026. Club execs, agents and front-office types flooded the hotel lobbies, ready to strike deals — a familiar scene if you’ve ever seen a bunch of grown-ups fighting over toys. Most of the chatter today centered on upcoming big events: the 2026 MLB Draft Lottery (scheduled for Tuesday) and the looming 2026 Rule 5 Draft (on Wednesday), which quietly define much of the offseason’s roster chess. Looking ahead to the Rule 5 Draft, expect a few clubs to swing for upside rather than immediate production. The draft exists for a reason: to prevent teams from hoarding young players in the minors while other clubs are willing to give them a real shot. I predict most picks this year will be bullpen arms and high-upside bench bats — typical Rule 5 fare — but a couple of teams might go bold and grab a young hitter with a chance to stick as a backup outfielder or part-time corner bat. If history is any guide, a few names could surprise come late 2026. MLB Winter Meetings, Winter Meetings Day 1, MLB Draft Lottery, Draft Lottery 2026, Rule 5 Draft Predictions, A’s Rule 5 Targets, MLB Offseason News, Baseball Winter Meetings Orlando, MLB Rumors 2025, A’s Podcast, Locked On A’s, MLB Breaking News, Baseball Offseason Updates, MLB Trades and Rumors, A’s Draft Strategy, MLB Front Office Moves, Rule 5 Sleeper Picks, MLB Prospects 2026, A’s Rebuild Strategy, MLB Hot Stove Join the Everydayer Club today and get Locked on A’s with no interruptions, members-only Discord access, and more — all for just $5 a month or $50 a year. Go to https://lockedonas.supercast.com Did Locked On Locked on A’s make your Spotify Wrapped? Prove it on social media to secure a free month of our brand new Everydayer Club. Just tag our national Locked On Podcast Network account on any social platform, and we'll drop you a code. Be one of the first to join the Everydayer Club to get your favorite show ad-free and exclusive access to the members-only Discord channel. For those of you on video we send you to the first ever 24/7 National Locked On Podcast Network YouTube channel. On audio make sure you make your 2nd listen Locked On MLB. Join our LOCKED ON A'S INSIDERS texting community and chat with host Booney any time by clicking this link: https://joinsubtext.com/lockedonas. Booney provides one-on-ones, breaking news, show previews, A's breakdowns, and offseason updates. Try it FREE for 14 days! https://joinsubtext.com/lockedonas Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors! PrizePicks Download the PrizePicks app today and use code LOCKEDONMLB to get $50 in lineups after you play your first $5 lineup.PrizePicks — Run Your Game.Click Link Here: https://prizepicks.onelink.me/LME0/LO... Gametime Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDONMLB for $20 off your first purchase. Terms apply. Download Gametime today. What time is it? Gametime. FanDuel Today's episode is brought to you by FanDuel. Football season is around the corner, visit the FanDuel App today and start planning your futures bets now. FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as non-withdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN) #Athletics #LasVegasAthletics #MLB Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
