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Good morning afternoon, Athletics Nation!
We’re only three weeks into the new year, and the baseball world has already lost three Hall of Famers — longtime Los Angeles Dodgers manager Tommy Lasorda, durable star pitcher and one-time Oakland A’s starter Don Sutton, and all-time legend slugger Hank Aaron. On top of that, the journalism world as a whole said goodbye to Larry King on Friday, himself well-known as a Dodgers fan.
Amid all that sad news, there is one tale of triumph for A’s fans to celebrate. Webster Garrison, who spent the last two-plus decades as a coach in Oakland’s minor league organization, is back home after spending over seven months in the hospital battling complications from the coronavirus, reports Ryan Arena of the St. Charles Herald Guide in Louisiana.
Garrison was slated to manage one of the A’s Rookie League teams in 2020, but tested positive for the virus in March and soon went on a ventilator for a few weeks. That began a struggle for his life that lasted the rest of the summer and beyond, including kidney failure and multiple strokes, but he was able to leave the hospital and return home in November.
The 55-year-old still has a long way to go in his recovery, and he and his wife, Nikki, are thankful to have made it this far. The couple got married in June as they had planned before the pandemic. “I don’t know what I’d do without her,” said Garrison.
Check out Arena’s full story for more details, and you can click here to donate to the Garrisons’ GoFundMe page (WebbyStrong) to support his ongoing medical expenses.
A’s Coverage
- Arena (Herald Guide): Webster Garrison battling back after 7-month hospital stay
- Coffey: A’s Matt Olson is looking to re-capture that ‘can-hit-the-ball-500 feet’ feeling ($$$)
- Kleinschmidt: What Pete Moylan likes about Liam Hendriks’ journey to top MLB reliever
- AN: Matt Olson, Mark Canha ranked Top 10 at their positions by MLB Network
MLB News & Interest
MLB Transactions
Profar had a nice bounce-back last summer and looked more like the player the A’s were hoping for in 2019
IF/OF Jurickson Profar and the San Diego Padres are in agreement on a three-year, $21 million contract, a source familiar with the deal tells ESPN.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) January 22, 2021
Boston makes two moves, first to sign a championship super-sub away from the Dodgers ...
Per source, Hernandez’s deal with the Red Sox is for two years and $14 million. https://t.co/59edxPM6nM
— Mark Feinsand (@Feinsand) January 23, 2021
... and then another to sign a veteran starter away from the Padres, now that San Diego has upgraded their own rotation by acquiring every other teams’ ace arms
Starter Garrett Richards and the Boston Red Sox are in agreement on a one-year, $10 million deal, pending physical, sources tell ESPN.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) January 23, 2021
He’s Castro the Astro once more!
Catcher Jason Castro's new contract with the Houston #Astros is two years, $7 million.
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) January 21, 2021
... and with a notable corresponding move, for A’s fans. Perhaps he should call up Ramon Laureano for lessons on how to throw a curveball after all?
The Astros designated Humberto Castellanos for assignment to make room for Jason Castro on the 40-man roster.
— Chandler Rome (@Chandler_Rome) January 23, 2021
Reliever off the board
Anthony Bass Marlins deal: $5M guarantee plus extras. 2 years plus 3rd option year
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) January 22, 2021
Romine spent most of his career with the Yankees (2011-19), and last year with the Tigers
Cubs agree to terms with C Austin Romine on 1.5m deal.
— Gordon Wittenmyer (@GDubCub) January 22, 2021
Mr. National is sticking around for a 16th season in Washington, after opting out of 2020
It feels awkward tweeting about baseball news on a day like this, but the #Nats are bringing back franchise favorite Ryan Zimmerman on a one-year, $1 million contract.
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) January 22, 2021
Minor trades
Welcome to Reds Country, LHP Cionel Pérez!
— Cincinnati Reds (@Reds) January 23, 2021
The #Reds today acquired Pérez from the Astros in exchange for minor league C Luke Berryhill. The 40-man roster is now at 37. pic.twitter.com/s7RSU8gssa
In need of 40-man roster space, #BlueJays have traded right-hander Hector Perez to the Reds for a player to be named later or cash per team
— Ben Nicholson-Smith (@bnicholsonsmith) January 22, 2021
Best of Twitter
The Astro rhyme is cool, but this would be cooler
With each free agent contract he signs with a non-Bay Area team, it becomes increasingly unlikely Jason Castro will ever play for a team I cover, and therefore I will never be able to refer to him on first reference as Jason Castro of Castro Valley.
— Melissa Lockard (@melissalockard) January 21, 2021
Zimmerman offers details on his tense negotiation
Ryan Zimmerman responding sarcastically to a question about how negotiations on his 1-year/$1M deal for 2021 with the #Nationals went: pic.twitter.com/sbna1ageHY
— federalbaseball (@federalbaseball) January 23, 2021
When the A’s visit the White House to celebrate their 2021 championship, they’ll find a fellow Oaklander there
Madame Vice President, thank you.
— Oakland A's (@Athletics) January 21, 2021
Thank you for showing u̶s̶
Thank you for showing t̶h̶e̶m̶
Thank you for showing t̶h̶e̶ ̶c̶o̶u̶n̶t̶r̶y̶
Thank you for showing t̶h̶e̶ ̶w̶o̶r̶l̶d̶
Thank you for showing little girls from Oakland what a little girl from Oakland can do. pic.twitter.com/9PKbhFM98k
RIP Hank Aaron
— MC HAMMER (@MCHammer) January 22, 2021
— MC HAMMER (@MCHammer) January 22, 2021
