Future

by Mr Alex on Jun 13, 2005 2:18 AM PDT

I think it's somewhat safe to start looking at 2006 for us A's fans. Now I know we have some good young talent, but I don't think that it's enough to compete with the big boys. We're definitely lacking a big right handed slugger, another veteran starting pitcher that could eat up innings, and a few other pieces here and there. I think BB n co. will have a little more flexibility at the end of this season payroll wise with Dotel, Durazo, Byrnes, Rincon, Bradford, off the books. Dotel has been all but replaced, and Durazo can be replaced by one of the young guys. What I'm getting at is that we definitely need to make a splash either in the free agent market or via trade. This team definitely wont compete for a spot in next years world series with the young guys we have. So which potential free agents to be attracts you guys and do you guys think A's ownership will pull the trigger??? I get the sense that the new ownership is somewhat passionate about this team. And I know BB doesn't want to lose given his competitive nature. So what do you guys think?

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Moves I think the A's should make

#1 Obtain Austin Kearns and(or) Adam Dunn
#2 Re-sign Kotsay to a 3 year deal
#3 Trade Zito/Byrnes/whoever else away
#4 Re-sign Rincon, Bradford, and sign Dotel to a minor league contract or something.
#5 Call DePodesta to see if he has some interest in Kendall
#6 Move Hatteberg to the front office
#7 Get Juan Cruz, Kiko Calero, and Dan Meyer healthy
#8 Get locks for Joe Blanton's refridgerator
#9 Find a 1st Baseman/DH or Corner outfielder, and 1-2 Starting Pitcher(s).
#10 Give 5 year contracts at the end of the season to Nick Swisher, Dan Haren, and Huston Street.
#11 Try to see if we can get Anthony Reyes from the Cardnials, Petit from the Mets, or Orvella from the Devil Rays.

by Instant Replay Umpire on Jun 13, 2005 5:21 AM PDT reply actions

Pick up Zito's option for 2006

For the A's to be competitive in 2006 the starting rotation needs to be solid. Zito is and will be the healthy young vet who in most starts will give the team a chance to win. Harden is the exciting star (hopefully who stays healthy), and Haren is an emerging star.

Meyer's injury slowed down his development. He needs time in Sacramento first. Blanton may take more time to establish himself as a solid starter.

As for the rest: may need to trade for a good power corner outfielder, or perhaps (carefully!) sign a free agent. Letting go of Durazo/Byrnes/Bradford will free up more payroll. Dotel to be signed only if healthy and willing to pitch for league minimum plus incentives.

Moving Kendall's contract is going to be tough! But if it can be done do it!

by OaklandSi on Jun 13, 2005 5:57 AM PDT reply actions

My list

1- Attempt to sign Zito to a "home discount". If he asks for #1/#2 starter money, trade him.
2- Trade Kielty, Durazo, and Byrnes for prospects.
3- Let Kotsay walk. As much as I love Kots, he'd be too expensive and too risky (bad back, age) past his current contract.
4- Sign Dotel to an el cheapo contract. If he refuses, forget about it.
5- Ask Hatty to graciously hang 'em up after this year and join the front office or hang around as a hitting instructor.
6- Let Bradford and Rincon walk.
7- Give chances to Colamarino, Rouse, Ethier, Garcia, Rheinecker, Braden, and Windsor next year on the big league team if they seem up to the task.

by OaktownTribesman on Jun 13, 2005 6:09 AM PDT reply actions

The AAA A's for 2006

Trade or let walk Kielty, Durazo, Byrnes, Dotel, Hattaberg, Bradford, Rincon, Kotsay and Zito. ...Is there any one on the 2005 team we should keep? After these moves the payroll will be about 28 million and Charlie O is back in charge.

Seems a bit much

by dougald1 on Jun 13, 2005 11:12 AM PDT up reply actions

My list

get a new team to cheer for.

by baysox on Jun 13, 2005 8:28 AM PDT reply actions

Free Agents

Top-Notch Free Agents are completely out of the question for 2006. The future of this franchise is going to rely on the following people:

2008 - 2010 Roster:

Rich Harden
Dan Meyer
Dan Haren
Jason Windsor
Joe Blanton
Kirk Saarloos
Justin Duchscherer
Dallas Braden
Huston Street
Jairo Garcia
John Rheinecker
Brad Knox

Mark Kotsay
Eric Chavez
Bobby Crosby
Nick Swisher
Omar Quintinilla
Andre Ethier
Javier Herrera
Daric Barton
Dan Putnam
Richie Robnett
Travis Knox
Kurt Suzuki
Landon Powell

These guys need to continue to produce in the minors, so that they can start contributing for the big club in 2007/2008, and/or be shipped off for needed pieces to help this to compete from 2007 - 2011. It all starts in the minors.

Let's Go Oak-Land!

by Colorado Fan on Jun 13, 2005 8:49 AM PDT reply actions

A's 2009:

1B - Barton
DH - Johnson
2B - Pennington
SS - Crosby
3B - Chavez
LF - Buck/Ethier
CF - Herrera
RF - Swisher/Putnam
C-Suzuki

Bench -

Powell
Melillo
Spanos

Harden
Haren
Meyer
Lansford
Webb

Street
Italiano
Braden
Deal
John Franco (We'll need some old cagey vets)
Jim Mecir
Kurt Ainsworth (Just a shot in the dark seeing that we'll have to have SOME free agents!!!)

by saint @ Athletics Nation on Jun 13, 2005 9:53 AM PDT reply actions

Saint, are you high already?

You must be joking right? Mecir? Franco? Ainswoth?Ohhhhhhhboooooooy.............Drink plenty of water friend cuz you seem to be suffering from dehydration.

by mrod on Jun 13, 2005 10:00 AM PDT up reply actions

Yes bro, the vets were a joke!!!

I had enough agua yesterday to kill that viscous tequilla alien from Saturday Night!

Thing is, I think that the other 3 will be unknoens at this point. There are only 3 openings on the 2009 roster!!! ;)

by saint @ Athletics Nation on Jun 13, 2005 10:08 AM PDT up reply actions

Unknoens? Wow, maybe the alien lives?!?!

by saint @ Athletics Nation on Jun 13, 2005 10:08 AM PDT up reply actions

Tokiilya!

I think the alien has permanatly taken up residence in our friend MP. Oooooohhhhhh, the pain.

by mrod on Jun 13, 2005 10:36 AM PDT up reply actions

Bring back Mabry too

independencefieldsac.org
Please help disabled kids in Sacramento play baseball by helping the Rivercats build a specially equipped field for them.

by kaweahkaweah on Jun 13, 2005 10:12 AM PDT up reply actions

I think Windsor's gonna be in the mix

He's having a nice year this year-- watch out for him either next year or 2007.

oaktoon

by oaktoon on Jun 13, 2005 11:16 AM PDT up reply actions

I would defintely sign

Kotsay to a two year deal as that would not be too risky and trade Byrnes. Zito is a mystery to me as he can provide leadership for maybe 2 more years and don't forget that Harden or Haren could be injured in that tenure and we would sorely miss Zito's leadership,

You may have the greatest bunch of individual stars in the world, but if they don't play together, the club wont be worth a dime.-Babe Ruth

by doublehustle22 on Jun 13, 2005 10:17 AM PDT reply actions

Do it.

Let 'em go.

Trade: Byrnes, Durazo, Rincon. If not, offer arbitration and let 'em walk. Get picks for compensation.

Let em Walk; Any holdovers from above, plus Bradford and Scoots. Again, offer Arb for the picks.

Let em Walk 2: Hatteburg... your 2006 class A ball hitting instructor.

Let em Walk 3: Offer Dotel a three year, three million dollar deal. If he says no, kick him in the nuts. Then do it again. Then show him the door.

Arb em Up: Calero, Kielty, Cruz, Duke.

Pick em Up: Barry's option.

Sign em Up: Barry if he's affordable. Kotsay for 2, maybe 3 years.

Face it, he's ours: Kendall.

We'll free up about $18mm in salary. Sign Haren long term, prolly Street too. Bring up Garcia and Either if they're ready. Try to trade to fill in the LOOGY and ROOGY roles. Let Cruz try to start in spring training... hell, end him to AAA and let him try now. Hope meyer gets better.

The 2005 Oakland A's: Impressively Inept Frustratingly Futile

by shmik on Jun 13, 2005 3:32 PM PDT reply actions