Elephant Rumblings: Rooker snubbed, linked to Phillies

MLB news roundup

Happy Monday, Athletics Nation!

The A’s were bested two games to one by an excellent Orioles team over the weekend, but the series was hard fought, and Saturday’s slugfest was a delightful smorgasbord of hits. The A’s have just-concluded a 4-2 homestand, a success for any team and extra refreshing for fans of a team that went 7-20 in June.

Brent Rooker had a stellar pair of series in Oakland. He got on base in all six games and hit three home runs as MLB prepared to reveal the full All-Star rosters. Rooker had improved to a wRC+ of 153 coming into Sunday, when the league announced that Guardians DH David Fry was getting the AL All-Star nod over the A’s top slugger.

Alas, Brent will not be joining Mason Miller in Arlington for this year’s pageantry, and barring a late reserve pick, the A’s will have but one player at the Midsummer Classic for a third straight year. Rooker was the A’s All-Star in 2023, and as of July 6 last year had a wRC+ of 124. So Rook failed to get repeat honors despite having a considerably better year so far in 2024.

Fry isn’t exactly unworthy for his own part: coming into yesterday, his OBP stood at an elite .412, and his wRC+ of 160 edged out Rooker’s. But I’d argue that it matters plenty that Rooker has made nearly 100 more plate appearances, hit more than twice as many home runs, and posted considerably more RBI.

Fry isn’t currently on pace to make the minimum number of plate appearances to qualify for all awards. So on balance, I think it’s fair to say that Rooker has been snubbed, but regardless of that he is certainly deserving on his own merits.

Now the Phillies, whose seven All-Stars are this year’s largest contingency from a single team, are reportedly interested in Rooker as they gear up for their drive to the postseason. Personally, I’d like to see The Rook stay put.

Have a terrific week, AN.

A’s Coverage:

• Eyeball Scout Weighs In On Spence, Gelof
• Mason Miller will represent A’s in 2024 All-Star Game
• A’s drop series finale against Orioles, 6-3
• Injuries & Moves: Muller reinstated; O’Loughlin optioned
• Phillies Reportedly Interested In Brent Rooker
• Current A’s call to mind woeful Orioles. Can Oakland also turn its fortunes around? ($)

MLB News & Interest:

• MLB Announces 2024 All-Star Rosters
• Among those ready to celebrate the life of Willie Mays, Orlando Cepeda would have been in front ($)
• Kevin Pillar Likely To Retire Following 2024 Season
• Julio Rodriguez’s MRI Comes Back Clean
• Padres Place Yu Darvish On Restricted List
• Today in Baseball History

Best of X:

I think Eck’s record is pretty safe.

Rather be in Oakland, baseball or not.

Wilson with his seventh four-hitter of 2024, making the minors look like a video game.

Billie Joe Armstrong at the Ballers game.