Elephant Rumblings: Elvis Andrus upset with increased bench time

Happy Monday, Athletics Nation!

Just last week, we were discussing whether or not Elvis Andrus might get the 550 plate appearances he needs in 2022 in order for next year’s team option to become a player option, which would make it up to Andrus whether or not to return to the A’s in 2023 for a $15 million salary. Since then, it’s become somewhat clearer that the A’s are committed to giving prospects more playing time—and keeping Andrus’ option with the team as a consequence.

Last Tuesday, Anthony Franco at MLB Trade Rumors indicated that Andrus was on pace to make 556 plate appearances, but the math seemed a bit fuzzy in that it assumed Andrus would play all of the team’s remaining games. In any case, as Matt Kawahara at the San Francisco Chronicle reported over the weekend, Andrus had started four of the last seven games on the bench coming into Saturday as A’s manager Mark Kotsay made clear that rookie Nick Allen would get more starts at shortstop going forward.

Andrus is understandably not happy about it.

“Of course I’m upset, I’m pissed about it. But like I said, the best I can do is stay positive and wait for my turn and be ready whatever happens.”

It’s also pretty easy to understand why the A’s wouldn’t want to be saddled with a $15 million payroll obligation to Andrus next season, which will most likely be a continuation of the current rebuild effort. Elvis has been a solid veteran presence this year, but even with his bat heating up in recent weeks, it looks about average at best.

Andrus, 2022: 237/.297/.366, 94 wRC+, 7 HR, 7.6% BB, 15.8% Ks

It’s an unfortunate situation. Andrus is no doubt giving his all and turning in a much better effort than in 2021, but the A’s also wouldn’t benefit from overpaying Elvis next season, and they have enough justification to avoid doing it. This makes me wonder if tacking an option like Andrus’ onto a long-term contract isn’t just begging for precisely this sort of controversy down the road. The league prohibits options based on performance, but not on playing time—I wonder if they don’t have it backwards. After all, it is much harder to manipulate performance than playing time. You feel me on this, AN? Sound off below!

A’s Coverage:

• Ashford: Game #115: A’s swept by Astros
• Nico: A’s Finally Getting The Whole “Let The Kids Play” Thing
• Kawahara: A’s Zach Logue roughed up by Astros in return to rotation, offense silent in 8-0 loss ($)
• Kawahara: A’s Skye Bolt vomited on the field and kept playing. Many have a story like it ($)
• Lockard: Former A’s owner Steve Schott reflects on ‘The Streak,’ winning on a budget and more ($)
• Kawahara: ‘Of course I’m upset’: A’s Elvis Andrus voices frustration with reduced role ($)
• Martin: Newcomer Stevenson’s ‘exceptional’ defense impresses Kotsay

MLB News & Interest:

• Heyman: Fernando Tatis Jr. offers ridiculous lie as sad excuse for being a PED cheat
• Shea: Top 10 baseball movies, with ‘Field of Dreams’ game on the mind ($)
• Polishuk: GM Mike Elias: Orioles Will “Significantly Escalate The Payroll” During Offseason
• Polishuk: Forecasting The 2022-23 Qualifying Offers: Pitchers
• Polishuk: Forecasting The 2022-23 Qualifying Offers: Position Players
• Today in Baseball History

Best of Twitter:

Roster moves.

Lockard on Harris:

#1

#2

A pairing seemingly as unlikely as the streak itself!

Susac hits his first one out with the Ports.

Things that happened 23 years apart.