Joe Kennedy Rumors Won't Die

by migueltejada on Jul 13, 2005 11:07 AM PDT

From the Denver Post:

"The A's have contacted the Rockies again about trying to acquire Joe Kennedy (P) Col in a trade, according to the Denver Post. Kennedy has been demoted to the Rockies' bullpen."

I know there has been discussion about Joe Kennedy previously, but I have yet to understand our interest in him. Of course, any organization can use good, decent, experienced starting pitching. But, do you feel that Joe Kennedy is better than what/who we currently have? My only thought is that because he is a lefty, we have an interest him.

Can anyone help convince me why I should be excited about Joe Kennedy becoming an Athletic? (of course, if we traded a bag of balls for him I would not complain. But, if we give up a quality player or two, I would scratch my head) All that being said, Billy doesn't let me down always has a plan. I'm just not seeing it from here.

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I can't see how'd he fit here either

But he might be part of a 3-way deal. Who needs a lefty and has something that we need?

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by kaweahkaweah on Jul 13, 2005 11:10 AM PDT reply actions

Maybe it's

Payton and somebody for Kennedy. Payton was good in colorado. Beane could not get Kennedy the first time, why not try again? then again maybe they are sent together for something because Col. outfield is already crowded.

"The difference between Jose Canseco and Kobe Bryant is that Kobe doesn't believe in giving his teammates any shots." -Jay Leno

by vignette17 on Jul 13, 2005 11:16 AM PDT up reply actions

I see us swapping Payton for Kennedy

but that would basically be Bradford for Kennedy and I don't like that deal.

"Don't you play the flute, Huddy?"

by capper3 on Jul 13, 2005 11:14 AM PDT reply actions

Nah

My insider told me we're gonna swing Payton for Tejada, who's gonna play second base.

What's the point of attaching a number to everything you do? If your numbers go up, you're having more fun.

by AlwaysSweatin on Jul 13, 2005 2:15 PM PDT up reply actions

July 31st

by Fongpay on Jul 13, 2005 11:14 AM PDT reply actions

payton?? kennedy??

i like this team the way it is now, i don't want any of these new guys around!

by xbhaskarx on Jul 13, 2005 11:15 AM PDT reply actions

Me too, XB.

I love the team I'm with.

"Look what we did!"

by ArakSOT on Jul 13, 2005 11:21 AM PDT up reply actions

One thing I see. . .

Is that we only have one lefty, being Zito, right now in our starting rotation. Maybe Beane covets some balance and wants at least two lefties in the rotation as he has had in the past?

Harden, Zito, Haren are locks to be in the rotation. Country Joe Blanton has been so good lately that he isn't in danger of being bounced. Maybe Beane isn't sold on Saarloos's continued success, or, maybe Beane is looking to make another trade before July 31st. . .

by migueltejada on Jul 13, 2005 11:19 AM PDT reply actions

Saarloos has a history of flaming out:

He has a good ride and then gets injured. Remember that he put off having surgery in favor of rehab so there is a time bomb in his elbow just waiting to go off.

by saint @ Athletics Nation on Jul 13, 2005 11:28 AM PDT up reply actions

Where There's This Much Smoke

There must be a fire. Don't be surprised if Kennedy is in Oakland before much longer.

by rsquared on Jul 13, 2005 11:22 AM PDT reply actions

Kennedy has huge potential

He is having a bad year but is great trade bait, if we can fiz him

by novaoakland on Jul 13, 2005 11:22 AM PDT reply actions

that was fix him

by novaoakland on Jul 13, 2005 11:24 AM PDT up reply actions

Not to mention..

our need for some serious depth in the rotation. I don't think anyone wants to even bother handing Glynn or Setherton the ball again, and why call up Cruz unless you have to? Throw Kennedy in the pen, let him gain some confidence as he shuts down the lefties, and then spot start him once Saarloos falls back down to earth.

It's not like we're actually losing any production here. Remember, it's just Bradford.

by fadedash on Jul 13, 2005 11:43 AM PDT up reply actions

Agreed

when did Bradford become this un-tradable asset that is vital to our success?

by Pucking Insane on Jul 13, 2005 2:26 PM PDT up reply actions

Kennedy is lights out in MVP Baseball

"What's the ugliest part of your body...some say your nose, some say your toes, but i think it's your MIND." - Mothers of Invention

by redclay22 on Jul 13, 2005 11:40 AM PDT reply actions

Kennedy's wife

wouldn't like it if the A's fixed him. But he might pitch better if the A's "fized" him. ;-)>

Actually, those who like the team as it is might consider that it lacks power and its current substitute OF is poor defensively and below the Mendoza line vs righties. In this regard, Payton makes far more sense. As for Bradford, he is expendable...

by reztips on Jul 13, 2005 11:46 AM PDT reply actions

Three words for you

"Harville for Saarloos".

Remember when Kirk Saarloos was basically Houston Astros refuse and Beane traded a spare part for him? Look how it has turned out for us. Without Saarloos we'd probably be several games under .500 at this point.

Joe Kennedy could be the next Kirk Saarloos.

by OaktownTribesman on Jul 13, 2005 11:49 AM PDT reply actions

salary

what does Saarloos make? Probably close to minimum. Isn't Kennedy making $2M+?

by Apricot on Jul 13, 2005 12:12 PM PDT up reply actions

I really want this rumor to come true just cause..

I can't wait to hear Kendall's thoughts on the deal.

by fadedash on Jul 13, 2005 11:55 AM PDT reply actions

Does Kendall

dislike Kennedy?

by migueltejada on Jul 13, 2005 1:16 PM PDT up reply actions

I think he's refering

to JK's comment of how Bradford's the best pitcher in the majors and how he doesn't understand how anyone can hit him.

"The difference between Jose Canseco and Kobe Bryant is that Kobe doesn't believe in giving his teammates any shots." -Jay Leno

by vignette17 on Jul 13, 2005 2:04 PM PDT up reply actions

Why Kennedy ?

Two issues arise in this scenario where we trade Bradford to Boston for Payton (whom we don't exactly need) then turn around and trade him to Colorado for Kennedy.

1st- do we need another lefty on the staff. Does he meet needs out of the pen where we have one proven (Rincon) and one good but untested (Flores) pitcher...probably not unless they aren't a part of future plans either.

2nd- does Kennedy become a starter and then replace Saarloos, whose been both flexible and mature handling his role as the #5 guy.

We know that the philosophy behind many of the A's trades is that you can't base them on what you see directly before you. In other words, Kennedy's ERA may be inflated while pitching for Colorado and we have to consider a bloated ERA.

So what are Kennedy's assets that make him so valuable? Strong L arm, velocity, control, changing speeds?

I'm also sure that this is only a small piece of the puzzle in BB's mind. So what are the other pieces? Does Byrnes finally go or is it someone else...

by Gerard on Jul 13, 2005 11:56 AM PDT reply actions

Saarloos

Is better suited for bullpen work. Beane & Co. recognize this. Especially if Bradford is traded, we could use a versatile goundball-inducing reliever, and Saarloos fits that mold. A three-way trade of Bradford to Boston, Payton to Colorado, and Kennedy to Oakland would be a good thing.

I like Bradford, and I'm not too high on trading him for Payton. But if we can move Payton to get another young, promising pitcher, then I'm all for it.

by Inquisitor on Jul 13, 2005 11:56 AM PDT reply actions

Saarloos to the pen?

If Saarloos is heading to the pen, why wouldn't we give Cruz at least a chance to start to see how he does. If we get kennedy, I'm not sure how cruz fits in anywhere.

I'm the guy with the Carney/Jared Lansford jersey

by gojohn10 on Jul 13, 2005 1:09 PM PDT up reply actions

Kearns?

...not sure

"the A's can be consistent winners if they add power vs righties to this offense without hurting the defense. Kearns? ...worth the chance & fits the budget"

by A s Eh on Jul 13, 2005 7:39 PM PDT up reply actions

Buy low

Whatever the Rockies were asking previously, they're going to get less now, with Kennedy's ERA inflating and his demotion to the 'pen.

Kennedy could be a decent 5th starter/long man/lefty setup man/insurance policy at Sacto, and if we can get him cheaply, why not? Low risk, low cost, potential modest-to-high reward.

Laugh while you can, monkeyboy!

by monkeyball on Jul 13, 2005 1:02 PM PDT reply actions

But is he worth the cost of Bradford?

As we kow there are no guarantees, but this seems to be a lot of effort in order to gain some depth in Sacramento.

by Gerard on Jul 13, 2005 1:37 PM PDT up reply actions

Mmmmmaybe ...

Given that Bradford is (a) not guaranteed to be entirely healthy, (b) not guaranteed to be entirely effective even if healthy, and (c) even if healthy and effective not really much more than a ROOGY (and don't get me wrong, I'm a Bradford fan), I think Kennedy is probably more valuable, even at the greater expense.

Not that I think Kennedy is the greatest thing since cheese in a can ...

Laugh while you can, monkeyboy!

by monkeyball on Jul 13, 2005 1:59 PM PDT up reply actions

If BB gets Kennedy the last word that

tipped the scales to action were probably from Kendall

"the A's can be consistent winners if they add power vs righties to this offense without hurting the defense. Kearns? ...worth the chance & fits the budget"

by A s Eh on Jul 13, 2005 7:42 PM PDT up reply actions

Sacto?

Kennedy will not be going to Triple A. Also remember that he's just 26. Also remember that this deal may involve more than just the aforementioned cast of characters.

by rsquared on Jul 13, 2005 1:53 PM PDT reply actions

We're getting Preston Wilson, Kenedy and

Francis

for

Byrnes...

Byrnes is the best!!! ;)

by saint @ Athletics Nation on Jul 13, 2005 2:00 PM PDT up reply actions

how do you know this?

by Gerard on Jul 13, 2005 2:55 PM PDT up reply actions

BB, like all of us, is human and, therefore, not perfect. But remember that he has access to far more info than any of us posters and that his track record is pretty damn good. If he likes Kennedy it's not just because of his name.

by rsquared on Jul 13, 2005 1:55 PM PDT reply actions

Nationals / Rockies / A's / RedSox

Players involved would include:

Joe Kennedy (A's)
Preston Wilson (Nationals)
Chad Bradford (Red Sox)
Jay Payton (Colorado)

Those 4 Teams/GM's talk all the time...a deal similar to this plus prospects and cash is realistic.

We don't need Bradford, and we could send Kennedy to the minors for some work in the rotation. Curt Young (and Barry Zito) could fix this guy.

** On a side note:

The Kotsay Signing + Kennedy to the A's Deal = Barry Zito is Gone

Let's Go Oak-Land!

by Colorado Fan on Jul 13, 2005 2:26 PM PDT reply actions

That is too far a jump in logic when you

already have Durazo & Dotel leaving and saving A's $10 million

"the A's can be consistent winners if they add power vs righties to this offense without hurting the defense. Kearns? ...worth the chance & fits the budget"

by A s Eh on Jul 13, 2005 7:45 PM PDT up reply actions

10 Million

That money is now going pay increases to Kotsay + Kendall + Chavez + Harden + Crosby + Young players eligible for arbitration raises.

Anyways, bringing in Joe Kennedy makes me think that Zito is gone by next season

Let's Go Oak-Land!

by Colorado Fan on Jul 13, 2005 10:40 PM PDT up reply actions

I don't remember where or have a link but BB

and/or Zito made comments that an extention would get attended to during the off-season. The A's could clip $20 million if they let everyone walk, I'm not suggesting they do but clearing money for Zito is not a big deal assuming Z likes it here.

Kennedy should do well at the coliseum with his pitches (He can throw the 12/6 curve again, bad idea at Coors) and watching Zito and getting caught by Kendall won't hurt at all.

J Payton should also like the coliseum meaning left field should get some similar action to the way Tejada used to hit them out.

BB is very close to having the team set for the 5-years as promised.

"the A's can be consistent winners if they add power vs righties to this offense without hurting the defense. Kearns? ...worth the chance & fits the budget"

by A s Eh on Jul 13, 2005 11:44 PM PDT up reply actions

Everyone assumes we're flipping Payton

But really it sounds like we're keeping Payton and flipping Byrnes instead:

"The Rockies are also discussing a trade with the Oakland A's that would send outfielder Eric Byrnes to Colorado for starting pitcher Joe Kennedy and relief pitcher Jay Witasick." (That's the whole A's-related part of Rosenthal's latest Inside Pitch.)

Ugh, I say.

by Faust on Jul 13, 2005 7:13 PM PDT reply actions