Elephant Rumblings: Trading Laureano not a priority for A’s

MLB news roundup

Happy Friday, Athletics Nation!

The A’s avoided arbitration with Ramon Laureano last week, as the parties struck a deal that awards The Laser a $3.55 million dollar salary for the 2023 season. That’s not a lot of money for an everyday big leaguer, and if Laureano can return to his pre-pandemic form, the A’s will have struck quite a bargain.

It seems likely that Ramon will be sticking around to make his comeback bid in Oakland, according to Anthony Franco at MLB Trade Rumors. Franco cited The Athletic’s Dan Hayes’ story on the Carl Correa saga, in which Hayes reported that the A’s response to the Twins’ inquiries on Laureano was rather lukewarm.

While it’s unlikely that the A’s would categorically refuse a strong offer on the 28-year-old outfielder, it makes sense to hang onto Laureano at a relatively low cost and hope that he finds his groove at the plate again. The A’s could consider a trade at this year’s deadline or next offseason for a much better return if Ramon hits like he did before the pandemic:

Laureano, MLB 2018-19: .288/.345/.508, 657 PA, 128 wRC+, 29 HR, 6.5% BB, 26.3% Ks, 6.2 fWAR

Laureano is also a capable—and sometimes brilliant, if inconsistent, defender in the outfield. My fondest memories of him involve plays like this jaw-dropper:

So we should expect to see Laureano mingling with fellow outfielders Esteury Ruiz, Seth Brown, Cristian Pache, Conner Capel, and Brent Rooker in 2023. To me, this feels like a perfect year for a Ramon-aissance. We’re pulling for you, Ramon. Make us proud!

A’s Coverage:

• Franco: A’s Reportedly Not Pursuing Ramon Laureano Trade
• Egelko: State Supreme Court rejects Oakland A’s legal challenge over metal waste near proposed ballpark site ($)
• McCullough: MLB expansion: Las Vegas eyes a new franchise, but waits on the A’s ($)
• Shea: Giants’ Kyle Harrison is now MLB’s top left-handed pitching prospect ($)
• Franco: Details On 2022 Team Payrolls

MLB News & Interest:

• Passan: Jeff Passan’s 2022-23 MLB free agency takeaways
• McGrath: Blue Jays hire Ashley Stephenson, former women’s national team star, as minor-league coach ($)
• Adams: Mets, Tommy Pham Agree To Deal
• Biertempfel: How the Pirates signed David Matoma, a 16-year-old pitching prospect from Uganda ($)
• Nesbitt: MLB expansion: Montreal has lots of nostalgia. But is that enough? ($)
• Buchanan: How the grandson of one of the last Negro Leaguers is carrying on his baseball legacy ($)
• Brock: Mariners sign veteran infielder Tommy La Stella to one-year contract ($)
• Stark and Groke: Ex-Braves GM John Coppolella discusses life on, and after, MLB’s banned list ($)
• Hayes: Inside Carlos Correa’s 3 weeks in free-agency limbo before signing with the Twins ($)
• McDonald: Braves, Kevin Pillar Agree To Minor League Deal
• Today in Baseball History

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