The Athletics have agreed to a one-year, $1.1MM deal with catcher Austin Wynns, reports Robert Murray of FanSided. The team has yet to officially announce the move. Wynns is represented by Klutch Sports.
Matt Swartz’s arbitration projections had Wynns receiving $1.8MM. While he fell short of that mark, his deal includes some incentives, notes Murray.
The Athletics acquired Wynns in June after the Reds designated him for assignment. They were in need of catching depth after Shea Langeliers went down with an oblique injury. Wynns hit .222 in 22 games with the team. An abdominal strain in early August cost him the rest of the season.
Wynns was drafted by Baltimore in 2013. He debuted with the Orioles in 2018. After a few seasons as a part-time player, Wynns elected free agency. He latched on with the Phillies in March 2022. Wynns was dealt to San Francisco in June of that season. The Giants gave him his longest opportunity to date, running him out there for 66 games. Wynns passed through multiple organizations over the next couple of years, finally landing in Cincinnati in 2024.
Wynns had several productive offensive seasons in the minors, but it never translated to major-league success. That changed when he got to the Reds. Wynns went 7-for-19 with four extra-base hits in his first year in Cincinnati, though a shoulder injury cut his season short. He posted a 35.7% hard-hit rate in that brief sample, which was more than 8% better than his previous career-best mark. Wynns maintained those gains in 2025, slashing .400/.442/.700 in 18 games with the Reds. He wasn’t as productive with the Athletics, but in 40 games between the two teams, he notched a hefty 46.6% hard-hit rate. Wynns’ barrel rate was an excellent 9.6% over 110 plate appearances.
Langeliers is coming off a breakout campaign and will handle the majority of the catching reps. If Wynns can keep up the improvement he’s shown at the plate, he’ll be a serviceable backup option. The Athletics may need to add a bit more depth at the position after losing Willie MacIver to the Rangers via waiver claim.
A win-Wynn deal!
Good for Winnie. I’m pretty sure this will be the first time in his career that he’s guaranteed a big league salary. If you’re a fan of a team that Wynn has played on it’s hard not to like him.
I am one of those fans. I have always thought he has had trouble breaking through because he looks like a back-up catcher.
He had 6 hits in a game for the Reds this year! He’s a capable backup catcher. Good for him.
First player EVER to get 6 hits in the nine hole. Reds beat the O’s 24-3 or something like that. Plus three more hits in his next game I believe.
Niiiice! Love me some wynns. I’m a giants fan but work for the As and RiverCats. Wynns is a great dude sucks the As lost Willie Mac to the rangers on the claim. Hope he does well with Texas!
Good for Austin. He’s bouncing around, but manages to keep his head above water.
Must have a great agent.
1.1 M for a .220 hitter.
Agent gets 7% =77k nice paid day
Agents don’t get 7%. 5% is standard with some lower than that.
Correct.
Is Daniel Susac not ready? He would be a cheaper option than Wynns and I don’t think he needs another year in Triple-A.
Maybe Shea Langeliers is on the move? His agent is Scott Boras and the A’s will likely not be able to afford him in a year or so.