Elephant Rumblings: Thoughts on Ramon Laureano, Why A’s Are Better Than Mariners

A’s Coverage:

• Game #113: Starting Strong, Ending Strong...
• Hall: A’s acquire reliever Shawn Kelley from Nationals...
• Hart: Reportedly a candidate to replace Mike Scioscia, former A’s 3B Eric Chavez lands first managerial gig...
• Sickels: Thoughts on Athletics prospect Ramon Laureano...
• Nico: A’s face dilemma with so many good righty outfielders...
• He: Lucroy’s veteran presence a boon to young A’s...
• Ostler: Seeing a bit of Willie Mays in A’s Khris Davis...
• Shea: Why A’s are better than Mariners...
• Prospect Watch: Wyatt Marks debuts in High-A...

MLB News:

• Gonzalez: Roberto Osuna addresses Astros in closed-door meeting...
• ESPN: Greg Holland reaches agreement with Nationals, per report...
• Cole: Tyson Ross claimed on waivers by Cardinals (Updated)
• Townsend: Angels manager Mike Scioscia denies report he’s stepping down following 2018 season...

Baseball Interest Stories:

• Bates: Day At The Park — A Brief History of Ticket Prices...
• Axisa: Orioles’ Adam Jones donates $8,500 to help cover travel costs for Little League team...
• Curtis: The Cape Cod Finishing School for Broadcasters...

Today in Baseball History:

• 1981 - After a seven-week strike, major league baseball players approved a split-season format. The New York Yankees, Oakland A’s, Philadelphia Phillies and Los Angeles Dodgers were declared the first-half champions and automatically qualified for the divisional series.
• 1988 - Oakland Athletics outfielder Jose Canseco became the 11th player in major league history to hit 30 homers and steal 30 bases in a season. Canseco, with 31 homers, stole second base with one out in the ninth inning for his 30th as the A’s edged the Seattle Mariners, 5-4.

Best of Twitter:

• Teams can make the playoffs playing near .500 ball against “good teams” as long as they do what they’re supposed to against “bad teams”...

• Treinen vouches for Kelley...

• Good read for subscribers...