MLB news roundup
Happy Friday, Athletics Nation!
This December’s Winter Meetings have come and gone, and while the A’s didn’t surprise in making a Rule 5 selection, they wound up net even in terms of prospects through the draft since they also lost Cooper Bowman to the Reds. Cincinnati took the 24-year-old infielder seventh overall in the first round.
Bowman still holds some promise, but the A’s left him off the 40-man roster. Perhaps he wasn’t convincing enough as an experimental centerfielder with the Triple-A Aviators last season; that position is a key need for the A’s. Bowman also fared poorly at the plate with Las Vegas, though he hit for a 138 wRC+ through 371 plate appearances earlier in the year at Double-A Midland.
The A’s had the fifth overall pick, with which they chose yet another young pitcher with good stuff and shaky command in Noah Murdock. Connor Ashford and Nico have some great coverage and analysis on the A’s latest acquisition right here on AN.
The A’s front office still has plenty of work to do, with conspicuous holes in their defense at center field and third base and plenty of room for more pitching depth—which pretty much every team always needs.
GM David Forst has also been hinting at a possible extension for top slugger Brent Rooker, which has yet to materialize. More deals are expected, with more than $25 million left to reach $105 million in total payroll for 2025—a figure in line with Forst’s previous statements and possibly necessary to keep the players union at bay. We’ll have the details here as they emerge.
Have a wonderful weekend, AN.
Roster moves.
A'S RECENT MOVES: RHP Noah Murdock to A’s in Rule-5 draft, RHP Henry Gomez to LV in Rule-5 draft, A’s lose IFs Cooper Bowman & Jack Winkler & RHPs Franck De La Rosa & Gustavo Rodriguez in Rule-5 Draft, LHP Ben Bowden signed to MiLB deal & sent to LV…https://t.co/joKXkyUAPy
— Athletics Farm (@AthleticsFarm) December 12, 2024
What a bargain!
Aaron Judge's dropped fly ball in the World Series is being auctioned off by the Dodgers pic.twitter.com/bhRyjSPfql
— Jomboy Media (@JomboyMedia) December 12, 2024
More bargains!
Mike Trout (26 yo) after his first 7 seasons vs Juan Soto (26 yo) after his first 7 seasons.
— Zack (@EuryPerezSzn) December 9, 2024
Mike Trout contract :
• 12 years / $426.5 mill / $35.5 mill AAV
Juan Soto contract :
• 15 years / $765 mill / $51 mill AAV
There is no justification. Just absurd spending. pic.twitter.com/2Cv8gVuBQ6
