Opinion: Skeptical if Aaron Civale can rebound after a shaky 2025 season

Aaron Civale (YouTube)

The Athletics had an interesting signing this month as they came to terms with starting pitcher Aaron Civale of East Windsor, Connecticut to a one-year contract worth $6 million on February 10 according to Rogers Sportsnet. The Athletics are the sixth Major League Baseball team Civale has played for in his career following five seasons in Cleveland, two seasons each with Tampa Bay and Milwaukee, and sharing last season with the Chicago White Sox and Chicago Cubs.

I personally have followed Civale’s career with interest ever since he was traded from Cleveland to Tampa Bay on July 31, 2023. The reason is because of who he was traded for. In return, Cleveland acquired first baseman Kyle Manzardo. Now, I have an indirect connection to Kyle, but a cool one to say the least. That is because Kyle’s father Paul was my brother Geoff’s manager at North Idaho College 24 years ago.

Anyways, Civale can be a strong pitcher physically. It is his mental skills that the Athletics need to be worried about. When the Brewers asked Civale to go to the bullpen last season, he rejected the request, and was subsequently traded from the Brewers to the Chicago White Sox. Civale went from baseball’s best team in the regular season to the worst team in the American League. The moral of the story is be careful what you wish for.

However, there is more to this plot. That is because Civale did not stay with the White Sox long, and after 13 starts with the White Sox, where he had an earned run average of 5.37, Civale was claimed by the Cubs, where he was subsequently moved to the bullpen. His earned run average in five appearances was a sparkling 2.08.