Elephant Rumblings: Sean Murphy still an Athletic for now

Happy Friday, Athletics Nation!

There has been a flurry of activity at Winter Meetings in San Diego this week, and the A’s have made several moves. AN’s Connor Ashford deserves kudos for stepping up to the beat this week so you can catch up on a lot of the A’s transactions and other developments right here.

However, the most highly anticipated transaction of all has yet to materialize. I’m referring to the fact that as of Friday morning, the A’s coveted star catcher Sean Murphy is still an Oakland Athletic.

Steve Adams at MLB Trade Rumors compiled the latest scuttlebutt surrounding Murphy, noting that one of Murph’s most prominent suitors, the St. Louis Cardinals, balked at the sky-high asking price for the A’s most valuable property and wound up signing Willson Contreras instead.

This is a promising development as far as I’m concerned. I’m heartened to hear that A’s general manager David Forst made clear this week that the price of one Sean Murphy will be an abundance of high quality talent that is or will be ready for The Show in 2023.

There are still a number of other teams around the league that have been checking in on Murph, and Spring Training is still months away. There will undoubtedly be more trade talks surrounding Murphy, and I still think more likely than not he will indeed be dealt during the offseason.

Regardless of the outcome, I hope the A’s front office maintains the premium price tag. If teams around the league aren’t willing to pony up and we end up getting another season—or even half a season—from of one of baseball’s best behind the dish, I won’t be sad at all. How about you?

A’s Coverage:

• Ashford: Rule 5 Draft: A’s select Ryan Noda
• Ashford: A’s sign Aledmys Diaz
• Ashford: A’s awarded 6th overall pick in MLB Draft
• Ashford: A’s sign Jace Peterson
• Adams: Latest On Sean Murphy
• Martin: What A’s reportedly asked Cardinals for in Murphy trade talks
• Lockard: A’s focus on additions to the major-league roster during the Winter Meetings ($)
• Razo: A’s select Ryan Noda, Joelvis Del Rosario in Rule 5 Draft

MLB News & Interest:

• Stark: At 2022 MLB Winter Meetings, it’s just like ‘old’ times for big-budget free agents ($)
• Goold: Big catch: Cardinals’ record offer lures former Cub Willson Contreras to new home
• Torres: Rule 5 draft overview: What to know about Thad Ward, Ryan Noda and the top picks ($)
• Groke: The highs, lows and superstitions driving the inaugural MLB Draft lottery ($)
• McDonald: Mets Sign Justin Verlander
• McDonald: Phillies Sign Trea Turner To 11-Year Contract
• Adams: Yankees, Aaron Judge Agree To Nine-Year Deal
• Rosenthal: Xander Bogaerts deal is odd but understandable for the Padres ($)
• Franco: Red Sox To Sign Masataka Yoshida To Five-Year Deal
• Adams: Marlins, Austin Allen Agree To Minor League Deal
• Today in Baseball History

Best of Twitter:

Sean is #1 in my book.

Roster moves.

@AthleticsFarm musings on the A’s potential 2023 pitching lineup.

Machin knocked a peg down the depth chart.

Some A’s MiLB web gems.

Adrián Martínez might pitch for our neighbors to the south in the WBC.

You deserve to be managing for a club that invests in success, Bob. Go get ‘em next year!