It didn’t take long for the media to see Elvis Andrus would get along just fine in the A’s clubhouse.
He was traded to the A's from the Texas Rangers in a five-player deal on Saturday that included designated hitter Khris Davis.
The shortstop says he looks forward to playing in Oakland and despite the tall task of taking over at the position Marcus Semien has manned for the past six seasons, Andrus made it clear he wasn’t trying to fill those shoes.
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SIGN UP HERE “I love Marcus man,” Andrus said Saturday. “Really great athlete, really happy for him -- and I’m trying not to fill nobody’s shoes. I’ll be myself -- it’s something I’ve always done my whole career, I have no problem with that. I know I’m going to a new organization so I have to get used to the way the A’s play and what they got for me.
Semien signed a one-year, $18 million contract with the Toronto Blue Jays on Jan. 26. The Andrus signing puts the replacement worries at ease.
“I try not to put pressure on that like I said, I love the group, I talked to a bunch of guys already in the organization and they’re making me feel super welcome so, I’m trying not to make any observation,” Andrus added. “I’m not trying to think ahead too much, I’m going to maintain my personality and be positive and when I get to spring training, start getting to know each guy. We’ll figure it out.”
The two-time All-Star mentioned his new manager Bob Melvin quite a few times. After spending 12 seasons, the entirety of his career, with the Rangers, he’s come across Melvin more than a few times. It appeared that transition would be easy.
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Andrus knew what Semien brought to the Bay Area. The Oakland native spent his life there, but it’s a business. Just as Andrus knows he had to leave the place he called home for over a decade.
There was genuine respect and understanding in Andrus’ voice when he was speaking about Semien. Andrus sounds excited about the opportunity, and the A's likely are eager to have him joining the lineup.
