Elephant Rumblings: “New Oakland” right around the corner?

MLB news roundup

The A’s finally dropped a game yesterday, losing to the Rockies 7-3. But prospect Lawrence Butler had himself a day, hitting a double and home run to account for half of Oakland’s four total hits. That double actually broke up a no-hitter attempt and came off hit bat at 111 MPH. Very nice.

After the game, Butler spoke of his and teammates Tyler Soderstrom, who got his first spring start today, Denzel Clarke and Zack Gelof’s first spring training together, and had this exciting new name for the prospects coming up through the pipeline:

You gotta love the confidence from one of the young guys. Get those t-shirts ready. Butler is expected to begin the year in Double-A but a big season could put him on the cusp of making his big league debut sooner than later. “New Oakland” might be here sooner than later.

A’s Coverage:

• JToster: Butler’s two-hit game not enough to save nearly hitless A’s
• Gallegos: “New Oakland” prospects flash their star power
• Smilow: A’s Gelof, Fishman prep for WBC for Team Israel
• Kawahara: Rucinski adjusts to pitch timer- and PitchCom- in first spring start

MLB News & Interest:

• Franco: Former big league outfielder Albie Pearson passes away
• Klemish: Rays’ Glasnow suffers oblique injury
• Toribio: Dodgers’ Lux suffers knee injury, carted off
• Divish: Mariners’ White to start season at Triple-A
• Adams: Blue Jays hire former Astros GM Click
• Nightengale: Former Athletic Pinder hoping to carve role with Reds
• McTaggart: Why Buttrey decided to unretire, join Astros
• HOFer Chipper Jones: Braves have ‘5 or 6 studs in the lineup
• Today in Baseball History

Best of Twitter:

Couldn’t have said it better myself

From the man himself:

…after hitting a bomb and a double