Elephant Rumblings: A’s relocation plan still “solid” per Manfred

MLB news roundup

Happy Wednesday, Athletics Nation!

Susan Slusser at the San Francisco Chronicle veered back into a bit of A’s coverage yesterday in discussing comments MLB commissioner Rob Manfred made about the A’s relocation and interim home venue plans.

The commissioner stayed on message in his comments to the Chronicle, saying he believes the A’s relocation plan is “solid,” and that Las Vegas remains committed to making the move happen.

Manfred does seem to be dialing up the pressure just a bit on the A’s to settle the matter of where they will play from 2025-27, saying “we need to know at some point in the spring exactly where they’re going to be.”

The Oakland Coliseum, Sutter Health Park in Sacramento, and a new minor league ballpark currently under construction remain on the table as possible temporary homes. Slusser notes that Oracle Park is no longer considered a viable possibility.

In making comments about last weekend’s Fans Fest, Manfred also said he hopes the fans in Oakland will continue to support the A’s.

The A’s will be taking on the Giants today, riding a two game winning streak. They lost against the Dodgers on Sunday, but Kyle Muller delivered a promising performance with three strikeouts. Martin Gallegos at MLB.com detailed Muller’s revamped delivery, which the big lefty hopes will help him get his career back on track in 2024.

Meanwhile, Rule 5 pitching pickup Mitch Spence is impressing manager Mark Kotsay in Spring Training. Andy Lindquist at NBC Sports Bay Area tells us why Spence reminds the A’s skipper of the team’s last All-Star pitcher, Paul Blackburn.

A’s Coverage:

• A’s blow out Guardians 11-2
• A’s to meet with Oakland business group about selling stake in Coliseum
• MLB’s Manfred claims A’s move ‘solid,’ hopes to determine team’s home for 2025 soon ($)
• Muller banking on revamped delivery for success in ‘24
• A’s release new verbal renderings for Las Vegas Ballpark
• Why Kotsay compares A’s prospect Spence to All-Star Blackburn
• A’s Notes: Coliseum, Wood, Spence

MLB News & Interest:

• Cardinals Sign Brandon Crawford
• Cubs Re-Sign Cody Bellinger
• Ichiro Suzuki is a virtual lock for Cooperstown. He’s already spent lots of time there
• Giants Remain Involved On Snell, Chapman
• Yankees Continue Talks With Blake Snell
• How Blue Jays players tracked the ‘flight’ of Shohei Ohtani, from turbulent rumors to the plane truth ($)
• Inside the new game — Paco Ball — that is the talk of Phillies camp ($)
• Today in Baseball History

Best of X:

A sweet stroke.

A new Nick-name.

Three RBIs to go along with that three-bagger.

Gonna miss this guy.