Elephant Rumblings: Brent Rooker named Hank Aaron Award finalist

MLB news roundup

Good morning A’s fans, and happy Tuesday!

We got news yesterday that Designated Hitter Brent Rooker was named one of the nominees for the Hank Aaron Award:

The Hank Aaron Award goes to the best offensive performer in each league. It doesn’t matter if you’re a shortstop, left fielder, catcher, whatever. If you were the best hitter in the league, you are getting this award. To be nominated for this award is in itself a huge honor. And Brent Rooker is more than deserving to be nominated, and perhaps even cracking the top 5 in voting (dare say top 3?).

This comes after the heart of the Athletics’ lineup smashed an impressive .293/.365/.562 with 39 home runs and 112 RBI’s, both career-highs. No he didn’t hit that awesome 40-homer threshold but he may as well have. And considering he did this in a pitcher-friendly ballpark without an imposing hitter consistently behind him (looking at you, Juan Soto), it’s even more impressive.

This is all in the context that Rooker was not selected to the AL All-Star team in 2024, instead losing out to Cleveland Designated Hitter David Fry. At the time of the selection their stats looked like this:

• Brent Rooker: .291/.369/.573, 18 doubles, 21 HR, 62 RBI, 36 BB, 112 K, 5 stolen bases
• David Fry: .279/.388/.466, 14 doubles, 8 HR, 33 RBI, 30 BB, 50 K, 4 stolen bases

Am I taking crazy pills? Or did Rooker get snubbed? Oh wait, we’ve been screaming that for the past three months. Forgot about that for a quick second.

Add in the fact that Rooker was dealing with a somewhat serious elbow injury from the very start of the season and it makes his career-year even more impressive. While Fry would fall off in the second half Rooker kept chugging along, hitting another 18 home runs in the second half that helped power a surprising Athletics surge in the second half. If only he had hit one more! Oh well, let’s not get greedy.

Now, let’s not get ahead of ourselves. Rooker was easily among the best hitters in the American League this season. There is literally no denying that. That said, there is also no denying that there is one other hitter who is the reigning AL MVP who has had an even better season than our Rook. New York’s Aaron Judge will take this award, and likely the AL MVP as well, but losing to a historically great player having a historically great season is nothing to be ashamed about. Heck maybe he’ll be on the other side of that famed rivalry next season.

Surely teams will come calling about our prized hitter, the heart of our lineup as we rebuild and relocate. With our best player under contract for years to come it would take a mammoth offer to pry him from our grasp. Not like there would be a shortage of suitors. The Red Sox, Cubs, Reds, I mean heck anyone that wants to make that next step should be targeting Rooker this offseason. Would the Athletics really consider it? And even an overwhelming offer might not be enough. How does the front office view Rooker as a long-term piece? Do they see him on the next Athletics playoff team? Or is this the right time to sell high on someone the club acquired for pennies just two seasons ago?

Comment below and give us your take! And of course, have a perfect Tuesday, Athletics Nation.

A’s Coverage:

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• Four A’s minor leaguers who touched 100 MPH this season
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• As Earthquakes achieve soccer ignominy, is John Fisher just a multi-sport stumblebum? ($)

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• Tigers beat Guardians late on Carpenter’s 3-run bomb in 9th inning
• Dave Roberts questions Manny Machado’s throw into Dodgers’ dugout
• Latest on Giants’ search for General Manager
• Today in Baseball History

Best of X:

Enjoy!

Congrats on 20 years, Gil!

You made every moment worth it, Ken. Thanks for everything!