Elephant Rumblings: A’s take “new direction” into Winter Meetings

MLB news roundup

Happy Monday, Athletics Nation!

The A’s are strutting into Winter Meetings this week in the wake of last week’s bold free agent signing of Luis Severino. The deal signaled that the team is ready to make significantly more of an effort to be competitive now that owner John Fisher has torched a 50-plus year legacy of Bay Area baseball and still needs a tow to make it all the way to Vegas.

Martin Gallegos at MLB.com reported on comments made about the Severino acquisition by A’s manager Mark Kotsay, who suggested that another big move may be on the horizon in stating that the A’s are looking to “get something done” with star slugger Brent Rooker.

That “something” would likely be an contract extension for the 30-year-old, who has hit over 30 home runs the past two seasons and remains under team control through 2027. Mark Polishuk at MLB Trade Rumors points out that that A’s wouldn’t necessarily be thinking long-term; they might wager that The Rook will keep slugging through his arbitration years and hope to keep his cost down as he anchors the A’s Sacramento-era offense while generating a bit of uncharacteristically good PR.

The last player to sign an extension with the A’s was also a slugger: Khris Davis got two years and $33.5 million back in 2019, and the A’s wound up getting a very disappointing return.

Let us know in the comments what kind of offer you would—or wouldn’t—make to firm up the A’s commitment to Brent Rooker!

Also, be sure to check out the weekend report from Nico on the A’s needs and how they might be fulfilled as these Winter Meetings commence.

Have a terrific week, AN.

A’s Coverage:

• Athletics 2024 Season in Review: Brady Basso
• Winter Meetings Start Monday: Your Activity Levels May Vary
• How Severino’s signing signals new direction for A’s
• Athletics Interested In Contract Extension With Brent Rooker

MLB News & Interest:

• Dick Allen, Dave Parker elected to Baseball Hall of Fame by era committee ($)
• Mets, Soto agree to record-breaking 15-yr, $765M deal (sources)
• The top 90 remaining MLB free agents ($)
• Giants To Sign Willy Adames
• Mets Interested In Eovaldi, Manaea, Pivetta, Flaherty
• Roki Sasaki Expected To Be Posted During Winter Meetings
• Willie Mays Park getting facelift thanks to MLB’s Winter Meetings auction ($)
• Giants’ Buster Posey heads into his first Winter Meetings as an executive with fans’ trust ($)
• Latest On Teoscar Hernandez’s Market
• Today in Baseball History

Best of X:

Parker and Allen finally make the HOF!