DH/1B?

by eck767 on Dec 19, 2005 3:47 PM PST Comment 29 comments

I'm curious about what people think the starting line-up should look like. Personally, I think that if the A's are into WINNING NOW, we should continue to think about pursuing another big bat.I like Swish and DJ both, but I believe they both still need seasoning.How about a platoon at 1B, with the other player available (as would Kielty as back-up OF)to spell the Frank Thomas/Mike Piazza regular DH? (who, let's face it, won't be playing every day, if he turns out to be one of these guys).

Realistically, if we're making a play-off run, we still need to upgrade the offense (even if Bradley has an exceptional year). Does anyone see either Swish or DJ as an everyday starter on any other playoff caliber team in the Big Leagues? Sorry but I don't; at least not yet. But we want to win now, so... what to do?

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I'm sorry

but how the heck are DJ and Swisher supposed to get any "seasoning" if they're stuck on the bench? They need to be playing full time and if that's not going to happen in Oakland than send them to Sacramento.

Personally, I wouldn't sign Thomas if it meant benching DJ. I think when 2006 is over DJ will have put up better numbers than Frank Thomas or Mike Piazza, and he'll do it for a lot less money.

"You dumped a porn star? Friendship over. FRIENDSHIP OVER!"...Barney

by grover on Dec 19, 2005 4:02 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Sophmore Slump x 2?

Do you think DJ'll get out the gate the way he did last year? Or Swish?

They could both stand some HEALTHY competition for their jobs. The prescence of a veteran bat could bring them up.

I'd personally love the A's to do it with the homegrown younguns, but not if they can't carry it yet. Not if 2006 is Barry Z's last year.

You honestly see DJ as an everyday, playoff-caliber DH? in his 2nd year? Maybe that's what it comes down to more than Swisher (who has more flexibility within the roster).

by eck767 on Dec 19, 2005 10:30 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Swisher won't sophmore slump

He's got nowhere to go but up... or Sac. And yes, I do see DJ as an everyday, play-off caliber DH next year. He won't go David Ortiz on the league but his August numbers are a fair example of what I expect from him next year.

.287/.373/.515 101 AB

"You dumped a porn star? Friendship over. FRIENDSHIP OVER!"...Barney

by grover on Dec 20, 2005 4:38 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I agree on DJ--

I judge DJ on the consistent quality of his ABs, and feel confident that someone with such a patient and relaxed approach will ultimately make adjustments. I think he had his "sophomore slump" already and will be reliable in 2006. I'd say grover's numbers are reasonable, though I'd expect a slightly lower average (maybe .270).

Swish has more to prove to me; I still see him as a sub-.250 hitter with 20-25 HRs. Which isn't horrible, but doesn't warrant batting him higher than 8th in the order.

Nico

by Nico on Dec 20, 2005 7:32 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

if anything

Payton and Kielty should be part-time players and they should let DJ and Swish play preferebly on the field. At this point in his young career DJ needs to be on the field and contiue working on his defense instead of just being a bat. Last year he showed flashes of being a very capable 1st baseman and i think they should let him develop.

by BashBrothers89 on Dec 19, 2005 4:20 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Trade Payton and sign Reggie Sanders...

Sanders Kotsay and Bradley is one of the best defensive outfields in the league and Sanders is way better in offense than Payton....

by Olijerez77 on Dec 19, 2005 4:22 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Scary idea

With Bradley's knee and Kotsay's back, having a guy like Payton around gives the A's some cover in case an OFer goes down. Sanders has trouble staying healthy himself, three brittle outfielders is just asking for trouble.

"You dumped a porn star? Friendship over. FRIENDSHIP OVER!"...Barney

by grover on Dec 19, 2005 4:30 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

the signature line

Your signature line is beyond cool. Who said that?

by jeffro on Dec 19, 2005 4:52 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Barney said it

CBS has a new sitcom called "How I Met Your Mom" that's OK. Anyways, a character named Barney (played by Doogie Howsers Neil Patrick Harris) said that line to his friend when he found out about the break-up.

It's exactly what I would have said to one of my friends (or them to me) in the same situation.

"You dumped a porn star? Friendship over. FRIENDSHIP OVER!"...Barney

by grover on Dec 19, 2005 6:50 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

A 6'5 275 pounds guy...

with a bad ankle is asking for trouble too...

by Olijerez77 on Dec 19, 2005 6:04 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Am I the only one

who doesn't like the idea of moving Swisher to first, and DHing Johnson?? I think Swisher is an above average RF'er who will only get better, and DJ should be playing full time.
Put Bradley in LF and sit Payton and/or trade him or Kielty.

VacaAsFan

by Vacafan on Dec 19, 2005 4:28 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

I like this idea

But as long as both DJ and Swisher are getting their AB I'm fine with however Macha juggles the line-up. Payton/Kotsay/Bradley would be an excellent defensive OF.

"You dumped a porn star? Friendship over. FRIENDSHIP OVER!"...Barney

by grover on Dec 19, 2005 4:32 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I wouldn't quite say

Swisher is an above-average RFer, but I think he could be an above-average LFer (where the standard for throwing arm is lower). At the moment, I'd characterize Swish as an average RFer at best, due to his below-average arm and judgment.

Nico

by Nico on Dec 19, 2005 6:16 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

But didn't Wash say

he's the best first basemen we had last year? I see Swish as a Gold Glove 1B, and I'd rather see him there than in the OF. What do you think Nico?

How about a three way? You, me and some of this pork.-Donny Baker

by gatling on Dec 19, 2005 7:46 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Personally, I think

Swish is an adequate OFer and an adequate 1Bman--I think he's better at 1B at this point, but is neither very good nor very poor at either position.

I'm more concerned, frankly, about his hitting, as his AVG was so low that his OBP was still poor despite his high number of walks. Currently, I'd rather see Kielty in the OF against LHP, as his defense is also "fine" (slower, slightly better arm, slightly better judgment) and he is much better hitting lefties.

Between Swisher and DJ, DJ has shown me a bit more against lefties, as he hangs in well and still walks a lot--and the more he bats against lefties the more he'll hit them.

Odd man out: Swish. I think right now, he's a platoon player, at whatever position. He is, IMO, the least polished of all the A's young players.

Nico

by Nico on Dec 19, 2005 7:59 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Ok, but if he's in the long term plans,

why do you platoon him? He doesn't grow or progress against LHP then. In Sacramento, he was better vs. LHP than vs. RHP. Why the difference last year? Did his early season injury effect his swing vs. LHP more so than vs. RHP? I don't know for sure, but I'd rather give him the chance to hit LHP, than condemn him to a platoon role already.

How about a three way? You, me and some of this pork.-Donny Baker

by gatling on Dec 19, 2005 9:00 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I agree--

Essentially, I think he's a platoon player who should play all the time. We can afford him to maybe-stink-maybe-do-just-fine 20% of the time.

I just meant that as you survey the lineup/field, Swish is one of the parts I'm least sold on at this point. Still hopeful, just not yet sold.

Nico

by Nico on Dec 19, 2005 9:07 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I have great hopes for

Swisher, but I can't shake the feeling that we may be seeing the next Ben Grieve.

Copernicus felt the same way about the geocentric crew.

by salb918 on Dec 19, 2005 9:54 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Yikes--

I saw the last one.

Nico

by Nico on Dec 19, 2005 10:07 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

if we dont...

get Thomas, we should DEFINATLY pick up big Choi.

YABU: You're always eating cheese. ...Is cheese good for you? . FISCHER: IT'S BETTER THAN SUSHI!!!

by ConditionOakland on Dec 19, 2005 5:09 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

trade

if we sign Thomas, then Thomas would DH, Johnson at 1B, Swisher in RF...Payton or Kotsay would be moved I think with Bradley in CF or LF depending on who was traded. I'd rather keep Kotsay than Payton...

But if your life is such a big joke, then why should I care?

by johnspaz7 on Dec 19, 2005 5:56 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

for the umpteenth time

If Thomas is signed, payton (or Kotsay) will not be traded. he stands to play 130+ games given the injury issues with Kotsay (Beane has already flagged this), bradley and Thomas, as well as swisher's inability last year to hit lefties.

The A's don't need another bat to make a playoff run-- their offense is already substantially better than the one that won the WS last season. That said, I'd love to see Thomas here and help the offense even more.

oaktoon

by oaktoon on Dec 19, 2005 6:33 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

I like Swish + DJ in the field ...

..but I also hope Macha shows a little flexibility this year and takes advantage of the versatility of some guys, like, Swish's ability to play 1B (give DJ an occasional day off against tough lefties) as well as all of the excellent outfielders we now have. I also hope he uses the DH spot for SOMEONE WHO CAN ACTUALLY HIT (even if it isn't big Frank). I agree that DJ and Swish are talented young players who need playing time to develop and continue to improve. They weren't bad at all last year (Swish was inconsistent, but he did poke 21 HRs; he just needs to raise the BA), and should get better, thus helping us in '06 AND down the road.
I also hope Payton will be cool with a 4th OF type of role (of course, he wasn't in Beantown), because with his defense he provides great cover for Kotsay (of the sore back) in center and Bradley in right (left?). As many others have posted, I think Payton is stretched as an everyday starter (especially because his chronically low OBP will make the offense sputter); but with his excellent glove, ability to play all 3 OF positions, good power and decent speed he's a very valuable reserve. I think in this kind of scheme Payton will get a fair amount of playing time, probably at least 300-400 AB which is almost like a regular. If Kotsay's sore, Mark can DH, Payton or Bradley can play CF, and the defensive drop-off is minimal.
I'd like to see Bradley, Kotsay, and Swisher in the OF with Johnson at first; that leaves DH for Frank Thomas (or another Beane pickup--Choi?), or whichever OF is feeling crappy that day, or Chavez when his arm hurts, or Ronnie Mac against lefties, etc etc. Let's use our depth and try to get everyone functioning close to max potential; and also rest our regulars while keeping the bench sharp. Earl Weaver used to be the master of that--Macha channel him!

by TheBigO on Dec 19, 2005 6:48 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

WellMaybe Beane isn't going to do anything else...

Last year without injuries THAT team could make the playoffs and right now Beane improved every aspect of the game with only 2 moves.

PITCHING: Esteban Loaiza as starter means Saarloos and Kennedy are going to the bullpen, where both of them could be very good, Saarloos as long man, DP specialist and Kennedy as LOOGY, and both could take a spot in the rotation is somebody is down, that means no Glynn, no Etherton this year. WITH ONE MOVE, ROTATION AND BULLPEN IMPROVED.

OFFENSE and SPEED: Milton Bradley is going to take Hatty spot in the lineup, Need I say More?

DEFENSE: Payton Kotsay and Bradley would be by far the best defensive OF in the league, and Swisher according to Wash is the Best 1B of the team and if you add Chavvy, Ellis and Crosby we will have gold gloves candidates at every position, our good pitching staff will look even better...

OFFENSE, DEFENSE AND SPEED improved with just one move...

And if you add that our rookies should be better next year, this team would be really hard to beat...

by Olijerez77 on Dec 19, 2005 8:18 PM PST reply actions 0 recs