Elephant Rumblings: Calm before the offseason storm
MLB news roundup
Good morning afternoon, Athletics Nation!
There’s not much going on in baseball right now. The World Series is over, the awards are handed out, and the offseason open market has officially begun. The first transactions are beginning to trickle in, and now it’s just a waiting game until the major moves start happening around the league, between some significant free agents and the annual blockbuster trade or three.
This is a particularly nervous offseason for Oakland A’s fans, since we really have no idea what to expect. Normally it’s clear whether the team is aiming to contend or working on a rebuild, but not this winter.
We know the A’s have a playoff-caliber core, with several legitimate stars, and with proper resources available it could certainly be molded into a heavyweight contender in 2021. But it’s unclear how much of those resources are available, and if it’s not enough for another serious push, then there are compelling (if frustrating) arguments to do at least a partial roster teardown — and thus reset the competitive window a couple more years down the road, when a new ballpark (and the higher revenue it brings) might be closer to reality.
The A’s haven’t done much to their roster yet except for the normal November details, like protecting prospects from the Rule 5 draft, and signing minor league free agent depth. We did see a notable move elsewhere in the majors on Tuesday, though, as the Atlanta Braves signed starting pitcher Charlie Morton away from the AL champion Tampa Bay Rays — check out the links below for more details.
Stay tuned, because the action in Oakland could start any day now. Even the day after Thanksgiving isn’t guaranteed to be quiet, as we’ve seen in the recent past (if you know what I’m referring to, then, zero days).
A’s Coverage
- S.F. Chronicle: Bay Area events and sports figures that paved the way for social justice ($)
- A’s trivia: Name the autographs!
MLB News & Interest
- Dator: I accidentally re-named the NC Dinos mascot ‘Swole Daddy,’ and I have no regrets
- Romano: Rays star Randy Arozarena arrested in Mexico following a family dispute
- Talking Chop: Braves agree to one-year deal with Charlie Morton
- Bell: The Braves shored up their 2020 weakness by adding Charlie Morton to the rotation
- Rosenthal: Reds open to trading Sonny Gray; possible suitors for DJ LeMahieu ($$$)
- Coffey: Need a Thanksgiving recipe? This blogger has nearly 70 MLB cookbook reviews ($$$)
- Today in Baseball History
Best of Twitter
This is totally something Charlie Finley would have done
Best trophy in all of sports?!
— The Athletic (@TheAthletic) November 24, 2020
We're not spending enough time talking about how the @KBOleague's Series Championship trophy is a literal sword. ⚔️
@TheAthleticMLB #집행검 #KBOpic.twitter.com/6IpN9ohY2a
Kim is on his way to MLB, officially starting tomorrow!
If the guaranteed value of Kim's deal is $25 million or less, the Heroes will get 20 percent of the contract as transfer fee. If the contract is worth between $25,000,001 and $50 mil, the fee will be 20 percent of the first $25 mil, plus 17.5 percent of any amount exceeding it
— Jeeho Yoo (@Jeeho_1) November 24, 2020
Developing news that doesn’t sound good so far
Tampa Bay star Randy Arozarena was detained in Mexico after an incident in which he allegedly tried to take his daughter from her mother and assaulted the woman’s father, sources told ESPN, confirming a Yucatán Ahora report. MLB’s Department of Investigations is looking into it.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) November 24, 2020
Because the incident involves family, any potential discipline from MLB against Arozarena would fall under the league and union’s joint domestic violence policy. The prosecutor handling the case in Mexico said today further information on the case will come in the next few days.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) November 24, 2020
Not baseball, but a good example for everyone to follow in any industry
MVS on why he chose to talk to us today: “I talked to the media after a career game the week before and now I’m at the lowest point.”
— Matt Schneidman (@mattschneidman) November 23, 2020
Said he felt responsible to face questions when he experiences both ends of the spectrum. pic.twitter.com/8dhfnQrIee
Reggie Jackson may not root for the A’s much these days, but at least he sticks up for one Bay Area team
Klay Thompson, rootin hard for you my man. You’ll be back. I know it. I was there the night you got 37 in 3rd qtr. you’re Amazin .You’re in my prayers, such a class act, I just gotta pull for you. In my prayers and thoughts. Big Fan, Mr O.
— Reggie Jackson (@mroctober) November 24, 2020