Elephant Rumblings: A’s Bring Back Blevins; in Talks With Gonzalez

A’s Coverage:

• Slusser: A’s close to signing lefty Jerry Blevins, member of their 2012-13 playoff teams...
• Nightengale: A’s, others remain interested in lefty Gio Gonzalez...
• Oakland A’s 2019 Community Prospect List #9: James Kaprielian has endured long road to recovery...
• Lindbergh/Sullivan: Effectively Wild Episode 1331 - Season Preview Series: Reds and Athletics...

MLB News:

• Rosenthal: Three-batter requirement for all pitchers, universal DH part of proposals that could bring big change to baseball... ($)
• Heyman: At least eight teams still in on Harper...
• Rosenthal: With Arenado talking to the Rockies about an extension, what does that mean for Harper and Machado? ($)
• J. Sanchez: Top amateur Yolbert Sanchez eligible to sign...
• Mish: Hellickson, Nationals in talks for reunion...
• Heyman: Pham, Correa win arbitration cases...
• ESPN: Indians acquire right-hander Nick Wittgren in trade with Marlins...
• Rosenthal: Phillies among teams involved in Realmuto talks...

Baseball Interest Stories:

• Sarris: Five glaring holes on competitive teams (and how to fill them fast)... ($)
• Iversen: Rob Friedman’s New FlatGround Platform is Helping Young Pitchers Get Noticed and Get Better...
• Sullivan: Why Isn’t the 60-Day DL Year-Round?

Today in Baseball History:

• 1895: Babe Ruth is born in Baltimore, Maryland. Ruth, who is considered by many to be the greatest player of all time, will start his career as a successful pitcher before amassing 714 home runs with 2217 RBI and a lifetime batting average of .342 on his way to Hall of Fame election in 1936.
• 1976: The American League grants the new expansion franchise in Seattle to a six-man investment group that includes movie star and entertainer Danny Kaye. The new franchise, to be called the Mariners, will start play in 1977.

Best of Twitter:

• Ichiro is incredible...

• For those that play - MLB The Show 19 looks incredible...

• I think Jon Heyman is ready for the offseason to be over...