Is BB making the leap?

by SLOtown on Nov 29, 2005 12:33 PM PST

The leap from small market to big market team, that is. I've noticed a lot of criticism on this site for giving up a first round pick for Loaiza, saying this is not what a small market team should do. Billy definately knows this: a World Series can make any team a big market team. People will come see a World Champion A's team. Dolla dolla. Maybe BB sees his chance to get the team to the WS and he's doing it without having to spend much extra money. We have several young guys that have the potential for breakout seasons and the addition of Loaiza and a bat for Zito could be enough to get us there. In order to stop having to be a small market team, you need to start valuing immediate results a little more and potential a little less. Our minor league system is still loaded with talent, but nobody is gonna go see a team play because they have a stacked farm system. I don't mind giving up a first rounder, It'd probably be a few years before he could produce at a major league level, and then if we keep being a small market team, we'd probably trade him away when he hits a peak for more draft picks.

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I thought

The title of this thread was going to continue with take a leap off the deep end.

by LizardKing51 @ Athletics Nation on Nov 29, 2005 12:54 PM PST reply actions

i think if they re-sign zito...

you might have something here. Seems to me the A's have loosened the purse strings ever since Wolffy took over (taking on the Kendall salary, and Kotsay's re-signing); maybe our budget went up.

by Brian in 317 on Nov 29, 2005 1:07 PM PST reply actions

as a nitpick

I think Kendall was part of the Schott/Hoffman regime.

Two-thirds of the earth is covered by water, the other third is covered by Kotsay.

by carp on Nov 29, 2005 1:10 PM PST up reply actions

I'm trying to think what will be better...

Zito for '06 only, or the big bat/young prospects that we could get for him.

I think if we get an offer that is better than the Mulder package from St. Louis, Zito is gonzo.

Two-thirds of the earth is covered by water, the other third is covered by Kotsay.

by carp on Nov 29, 2005 1:12 PM PST reply actions

definitely

but it could turn out like the Hudson package: "blecch".

by Brian in 317 on Nov 29, 2005 1:29 PM PST up reply actions

<hurd!>

I am suddenly very glad I have a season pass on my TiVo for Oprah. - BobbyCrosbysGirl

by monkeyball on Nov 29, 2005 2:30 PM PST up reply actions

Adrian Beltre, Richy Sexson

Those were "big bat acquisitions" for the Mariners.

The Mariners still seem to lose often and early, and the "Big Bats" never came through when they were needed the most.

That's why I'm not so focused on "big bats". The proven Albert Belles out there may be proven only by their past.

I recall getting that 3rd Baseman from the Indians, Brook Jacoby. He'd had a 42-homer year ... I think he hit ONE for us.

by Ducts on the Pawn on Nov 29, 2005 5:10 PM PST up reply actions

Okay Brook Jacoby hit zero HRs

for the Athletics, and batted .213 in 56 games.

In 1987, he had 32 HRs, and batted .300 in 540 ABs.

by Ducts on the Pawn on Nov 29, 2005 5:17 PM PST up reply actions

Good point.

Here at AN there is exists the unknown regarding the new A's ownership and how much they are willing to spend. Because of that there is the "reluctance" to make the leap that you talk about because none of us wants to go through the winning drought of the mid-90s again.

"Do you ever get down on your knees and thank God you know me and have access to my dementia?" - George Costanza

by Awesomus on Nov 29, 2005 1:12 PM PST reply actions

I do!!!!

Seriously ... not for a few years, but it's good to lose every now and then. It keeps you centered as a fan.

Check out some awesome music ...

by devo on Nov 29, 2005 1:14 PM PST up reply actions

most of these fans

have never been through it.

by Brian in 317 on Nov 29, 2005 1:30 PM PST up reply actions

Really? Are these fans that new?

Man...I suffered through those 90's years..not to mention the early to mid-80's.

There cant be that many here who were only fans the last 5 years.

Bring back Hammer.

by OaktownPower on Nov 29, 2005 2:33 PM PST up reply actions

haha

oh man, that awful '97 team.

A very strong rotation consisting of Oquist, Telgheder, Karsay, and who could forget Preito. Yikes.

At least they had Mcgwire and Giambi had a mini mac mullet.

Even though they sucked you got to see Tejada, Giambi, & Grieve, some of the young guys brought up early

Bill Stoneman is about to be offered three seasons of a right-handed version of Vladimir Guerrero - Rev Halofan

by pickinmachine on Nov 29, 2005 1:45 PM PST up reply actions

Oh ...

... quist!

I am suddenly very glad I have a season pass on my TiVo for Oprah. - BobbyCrosbysGirl

by monkeyball on Nov 29, 2005 2:30 PM PST up reply actions

the painful 90's

hanging your hopes that eric fox or troy neel would be the guys to lead us back from the hinterlands...oh man, those were bad days. and that starting pitching. yeesh!

"welcome to ME, motherf*^*er!" - tim hudson

by guy incognito on Nov 29, 2005 2:20 PM PST up reply actions

Ernie Young was the shit.

I'll try not to swear.

by Tony on Nov 29, 2005 2:44 PM PST up reply actions

young

didnt he hit 3HR in a game, forget what year.

Bill Stoneman is about to be offered three seasons of a right-handed version of Vladimir Guerrero - Rev Halofan

by pickinmachine on Nov 29, 2005 3:01 PM PST up reply actions

I have very fond memories of Ernie Young ...

mostly called by Bill King in Las Vegas.

Check out some awesome music ...

by devo on Nov 29, 2005 3:06 PM PST up reply actions

I thought the title

was asking if Beane had jumped the shark.

by grover on Nov 29, 2005 1:48 PM PST reply actions

Beane...

totally jumped the shark when he replaced David Forst with Cousin Oliver.

I am no longer easily distracted by those AVP advertisements

by franks a lot on Nov 29, 2005 1:50 PM PST up reply actions

LOL

I just hurt myself really badly trying to not laugh out loud and alarm my cubemates.

I am suddenly very glad I have a season pass on my TiVo for Oprah. - BobbyCrosbysGirl

by monkeyball on Nov 29, 2005 2:31 PM PST up reply actions

HAHA!

I did the same thing!

"If I'm not having fun, then I am not playing well" ~Bobby Crosby

by BobbyCrosbysGirl on Nov 29, 2005 3:49 PM PST up reply actions

post of the month nominee

A's v Giants "is kind of like the difference between going to see the Ramones and going to see the Bee Gees. A's fans will go see the Ramones." -BB 07/27/05

by xbhaskarx on Nov 29, 2005 5:33 PM PST up reply actions

Nintendo

My nephew was playing an old Nintendo MLB game the other day and I had forgotten how many crappy players the A's had until going through the entire lineup. Don't bring back the 90's A's again EVER!

"The first thing I realized in this game, there are no weekends."

by ohtobe21likehuston on Nov 29, 2005 5:03 PM PST reply actions

remember back in the day

when the umpires exited through a door next to the screen and they walked by and would give you baseballs. Now they dont give em away anymore. oh well.

"Their batters are patient to the point that it's annoying." -Ryan Franklin, Seattle Mariners

by Helloooo 1st on Nov 29, 2005 8:26 PM PST reply actions