Elephant Rumblings: Seth Brown elects free agency

MLB news roundup

Happy Friday, Athletics Nation!

The Seth Brown era of Athletics baseball appears to have ended.

The veteran first baseman and outfielder was placed on waivers rather than being sent back to Sacramento following his most recent stint on the Injured List, which began on June 13 per Anthony Franco at MLB Trade Rumors.

The transactional particulars are a tad murky, but you can read more details in Franco’s report. The upshot is that Brown cleared waivers and has elected free agency; he will retain his 2025 salary of $2.7 million as he seeks a fresh start elsewhere.

Brown’s beginnings with the A’s were a Cinderella story about a minor league grinder who finally made the bigs at the ripe age of 27. Seth made a solid debut in 2019 and was a mainstay in the lineup—when healthy—from 2021 through 2024.

Brown was above average at the plate through 2021 and 2022 and he hit 20 and 25 home runs in those respective seasons. But his production at the plate has declined since then, and Brownie has spent a fair bit of time sidelined by injury. Only in 2022 did he make over 400 plate appearances.

Assuming that Seth does not don green and gold again, the 32-year-old’s final line for the Athletics through 1,804 plate appearances is .226/.292./419 with a perfectly average wRC+ of 100. Brownie punched his ticket to Poundtown 74 times.

I feel pretty safe in saying that Brown, the A’s, and many fans were about ready to move on to the next chapter. But Brownie’s tenacity helped those same people through a pair of tough seasons. Thanks for the great memories, and all the best going forward, Seth Brown!

A’s Coverage:

• Athletics drop finale 8-0 to Tigers
• Rookie Wilson a finalist to start All-Star Game at shortstop
• Assessing the A’s at the halfway mark of the season
• Batting title favorites Judge, Wilson couldn’t be more different
• Seth Brown Elects Free Agency
• A’s Front Office in a Tough Situation This Trade Deadline
• Chicago Cubs Keeping an Eye on A’s Ace as Trade Deadline Nears
• Why Athletics standout rookie Jacob Wilson credits video games for MLB success
• Latest Athletics injuries and transactions

MLB News & Interest:

• Latest mock: New favorite to go No. 1?
• Griffin Canning Believed To Have Suffered Achilles Injury
• Wander Franco Found Guilty Of Sexual Abuse
• Mariners Place Rowdy Tellez On Release Waivers
• Liam Doyle and 6 other 2025 MLB Draft prospects who might reach the majors fastest ($)
• The All-IL team: As more MLB stars go down, building an All-Star team of injured players ($)
• Mets Notes: Vientos, Manaea, Outfield
• Mariners Looking For Corner Infield Bats; Ownership Willing To Bump Payroll
• Today in Baseball History

Best of X:

Wilson with a commanding lead.

I can think of a better one..