A's best pitcher & best fielder =

by Vegas Ace on Oct 14, 2006 8:13 AM PDT Comment 2 comments

The Duke & Ellis. In addition to Scutaro's MVP performance, these two oustanding players excelled on the field in the A's sweep of the Twins. Let's not blame subs like Jiminez. There are multiple factors why the A's are being swamped by the Tigers who are out pitching, out hitting and out fielding them but in addition to the "Missing in Action" performance of Chavez, Swisher and Thomas, the unavailability of these two stellar performers, Ellis & the Duke, highlights their value to the team's prior winning ways. IMHO, the Duke has been the only real Ace of the team's pitching staff this year. Street, Zito, Loaiza, Haren, Blanton and almost every other pitcher on the staff has had "ups and downs" during the year. The Duke has been the dependable "stopper". Hopefully, a healthy Harden will return to being the starting pitching ace next year. The Duke has earned the right to compete for a starting slot next year and, if given the chance, he might just turn out to be one of the top starting pitchers in the league to give the A's an upgraded 1, 2, 3 rotation of Harden, the Duke and Haren. We have seen firsthand the devastating impact of vulnerable starting pitching against a team like the Tigers and the Duke could become even more valuable in the starting rotation. It is great to have a strong bullpen but if a weak hitting team like the A's gets behind before their relievers enter the game against another team with a strong bullpen, the comeback odds are unfavorable.

As for hitting, as valuable as Thomas as been this year as the designated hitter, I am not convinced that the A's should bust their budget to resign such a one dimensional player unless he is willing to offer the team a reasonable deal in recognition of the opportunity that Beane offered him a year ago.

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Disagree on Thomas--

Without him, I don't see the A's competing with the Angels in 2007. With him, I think it's perfectly possible.

Agree about Duke. My team "co-MVPs" for 2006 are Thomas and Duchscherer. I really hope the A's keep Duke through his arbitration years, which start in 2007. He is so good.

Ellis is one of those quiet players whose value is more apparent when he's out than when he's in. The A's miss him a lot in the ALCS. With him in there, the A's are still down in the series--maybe even still down 3-0 the way the Tigers are playing. But they miss him a lot.

I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal

by Nico on Oct 14, 2006 10:14 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Re Big Hurt

Thomas has produced well beyond "the opportunity that Beane offered him a year ago." No one could have reasonably expected almost 40 HRs and 100+ RBI from a guy who's barely played since 2003. And those weren't empty stats, either: he continually stepped up in crucial situations and delivered big hit after big hit. His mere presence altered the landscape of the entire lineup.

I wouldn't overpay either, since his health will forever be a question mark, and of course since he's a station-to-station DH as you pointed out, but those are now the only mitigating factors. We cannot expect any type of discount as a "thank you" for Beane after this year.

by bigthree17 on Oct 14, 2006 11:28 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs