You assemble the 2007 rotation (w/ poll question).

by LowcountryJoe on Aug 28, 2006 5:06 AM PDT

If you were in the General Manager's shoes this off-season, how would you shore up the 2007 starting rotation after assuming that Harden, Haren, Blanton, and Loaiza are still part of the rotation when your decision(s) are being made.

You could:

A)    Take a dip into the free agent pool. Disclaimer: some of the pitchers buried 3/5ths of the way down on this link-provided list have option years that may be exercised. If a pitcher with a club held option is someone you would go after, then please state why you think that the current club wont exercise the option or, if it's likely that they would exercise the option, how do you plan to entice the current team into giving you the option rights on the player?
B)    Resign Zito to a new contract. If this is your choice then please specify what you believe the terms of that contract will be.
C)    Use another pitcher from within the organization to fill the remaining hole in the starting rotation. Please let us know who your candidate(s) would be and who do you feel the likely candidate will end up being and why? If you cannot decide on one player then please just narrow the choice down to two players.
D)    The copout option. Such as :"I'd go with a four-man rotation and an extra deep pen!" or "That's some assumption that Harden is healthy and that Loaiza hasn't been thrown under someone's bus!" or "I've already blown up the rotation by trading so and so for [insert two to three of the best players from another team that haven't reached their five years of major league service].

Let's try and keep this positive without really tearing into each other's opinions. Here's an example of what I feel would be a positive exchange:

Me: I think I'd try to get the $9.5 million option year on Mark Buehrle by offering Kiko Calero to the Sox and the Sox, in turn, picking up some of Buehrle's contract and sending him our way. This gives the Athletics one more year to develop players (starting pitching) from within while keeping our starting pitching very competitive.
Reply #1: The Sox don't think that highly of Buehrle after this season's disappointing performance [a link insert with reference to Sox's management not being inclined to resign Buehrle after this season]. Buehrle could probably be had for x number of dollars in the open FA market without giving away any of our players. Basically, the Sox aren't going to exercise his option.

Reply #2: It's going to take more than Calero! The Sox are still high on Buehrle and just might not let him go at all. In fact, the two sides are trying to hammer out a deal [insert link to contract discussions].

Poll

I'm going to...

Deliberately screw with your poll, perhaps?

9 votes

go the free Agent route.

21 votes

sign Barry!

19 votes

'Cee' what someone else in the organization has.

29 votes

78 votes | Poll has closed

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Comments

Here's my rotation.......

Haren
Blanton
Harden(if healthy)
Loaiza
Randy Wolf

I think a one year $4 million guarantee with up to $4.5 million in incentives, and a club option for a year or two gets the deal done. It might seem a bit of a pricey guarantee, but I think Wolf is proving he's recovered from surgery.

I wish the Phills had fallen on their face over the last week, so we could have a shot at a waiver trade for Wolf now. As it is, I'd be content waiting until the offseason.

I'm not sure Wolf is a "Gillick kind of guy", so I'm not 100% sure Philly would re-sign him. I'm sure this late push isn't what Gillick wanted, it might make it harder in the eyes of the fans to make wholesale changes to the team.

The biggest question is Harden's health. I wouldn't even try to bring the guy back this year. As much as he might be able to help, I'd hate to risk him getting injured and being out for all of next year.

If Harden is not ready to go next year, I'd strongly consider Gaudin for the rotation. I think he has the most potential of any young SP candidate we have, outside of a full recovery by Meyer(which I think could still happen).

Anyone who knows anything about baseball knew that, which is why Macha didn't-TexasAsfan

by gatling on Aug 28, 2006 7:09 AM PDT reply actions

and the rotation is...

Haren
Harden
Loaiza
Blanton
Lilly

Here's why: Ted Lilly is for sure leaving Canada. He has already openly stated his preference to returning to the bay area, as his wife is going to grad school at Davis. A's have some money to shore up the rotation, Ted gets a 3/19, with a base of $5.5 for 07, $6.5 for 08 and a mutual option for 09, priced at $7. If we lose out on the bidding for him, I think we'll probe Mulder, Byung Hyung Kim and Randy Wolf. If none of those turn out, I'd expect Juan Dominguez, Dan Mayer and Kasuhito Tadano to battle it out for the 5 in spring training with our favorite spot starters, Captain Kirk and Ballsey Halsey

by noava22 on Aug 28, 2006 8:21 AM PDT reply actions

My hunches:

Lilly to the Giants, Schmidt to the Mariners. If the A's sign a FA pitcher, my first guess would be Byung-Hyun Kim and my second guess would be Jeff Suppan.

But I don't think that's the route the A's will go. I think they may put their money into keeping Frank Thomas and giving Duke an extension through his arby years. My predicted rotation:

Harden
Haren
Blanton
Loaiza
Gaudin

And then the A's might try to pick up a middle-reliever to replace Gaudin (assuming they punt Witasick as far as I hope they do) and/or Kennedy.

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 Aug 28, 2006 8:39 AM PDT reply actions

ibid.

"The first night, we were right there," Bradley said. "All we needed was a couple of touchdowns, and we would have had them."

by jeepers on Aug 28, 2006 9:23 AM PDT up reply actions

I agree, Nico

Except that I don't see Gaudin as a shoe-in for the fifth starter role. He'll be in the mix in spring training with Meyer, Windsor, Komine, etc. I have no real sense as to who will win the last spot.

There is no chance Zito stays. He'll get too much elsewhere and wants to leave anyway. I just hope he ends up in the NL.

A's 2006 record when I attend: 8-7

by peanut gallery on Aug 28, 2006 9:44 AM PDT up reply actions

Something tells me Zito winds up with the Mets...

It's just a hunch. You would think that the Yankees would be the favorite, but if I'm Barry and I'm singing long term, I'm thinking that the Mets are just as much in New York as the Yanks, you know they are interested because of the Milledge rumors throughout the season, and, compared to the Yankees, they won't drop off as nearly as fast. Essentially their players getting older are all in the starting rotation... hence that's where Zito makes them younger.

Also, with the Yanks we have George Steinbrenner probably putting into his contract that he can't surf in the off-season, something the Mets will probably be a little leinient about.

As long as he doesn't go to the Angels. Although since starting pitching is their strength I don't think they will look toward him. The only way they would is if there's a chance in hell that he re-signs with us, therefore they would get in the bidding to weaken us, but everyone knows he's gone at the end of the year.

Lance Armstrong can make homophobic jokes on ESPN, yet Harold Reynolds pays the ultimate price? Explain that to me.

by gmoneymcg on Aug 28, 2006 10:38 AM PDT up reply actions

sounds about right

by OaklandSi on Aug 28, 2006 3:46 PM PDT up reply actions

why cupcakes before steve?

just curious...

by noava22 on Aug 28, 2006 8:43 AM PDT reply actions

Steve Loaiza or Steve Gaudin?

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 Aug 28, 2006 8:49 AM PDT up reply actions

Steve = Esteban?

I'm assuming the question was directed at me and I'll field it. The reason why I put Loaiza after Blanton's name had more to do with perceptions than anything else. I personally feel that Loaiza is a better pitcher than Blanton. But to have publicaly stated my opinion as so, like I'm doing now, could have (and probably will, now) lose me some 'board cred'.

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by LowcountryJoe on Aug 28, 2006 8:55 AM PDT up reply actions

touche

(imagine there's an accent over that E)

by noava22 on Aug 28, 2006 8:53 AM PDT reply actions

Hey LCJ

what's your rotation?

by noava22 on Aug 28, 2006 8:54 AM PDT reply actions

Option 'D', of course

No, seriously. If I, as your GM for the offseason, could find a way to get Mark Buehrle at $9.5 million through enticement, I'm doing it. "Why Mark Buehrle?", you ask. Well it's because I am an absolute nutcase [think of Sonny being coocoo for Cocoa Puffs] for the quality start statistic and believe in its value. And I also believe in value, the sell the hype, buy on the DIPS (sabermatrics pun).

Since 2001, no other pitcher has accumulated 20 or more quality starts in each season. Seriously, no one...not Clemens, Johnson Shilling, Martinez, or any of the usual suspects. Buehrle has done this, though! But this may be the first year that he does not (I believe he has 14 QS as I write this).

Providing the Sox have soured on Buehrle -- and I am not sure what his status is with the Sox management -- I think that his consistency is something this staff, my staff should go out and get.

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by LowcountryJoe on Aug 28, 2006 9:12 AM PDT up reply actions

I don't see the A's

spending that kind of money--I was surprised enough that they shelled out 7/year for Loaiza at the age of 34. Unless they planned to (and could) move Loaiza, in which case they would upgrade the rotation and up the payroll--but subtract a starter while adding one--I can't see it happening. Though Buehrle is a "Beane-type" pitcher, so I'm sure Billy would love to have him. I just don't see the kind of payroll flexibility that would allow him to go out and sign a 9.5 million dollar pitcher.

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 Aug 28, 2006 9:25 AM PDT up reply actions

I also don't see

Kenny Williams giving up on Buerhle without getting something to fill one of the needs on the team. We don't have a whole lot to trade...it's not like they're begging for cap space...

by noava22 on Aug 28, 2006 9:36 AM PDT up reply actions

I don't think it's out of the spending realm

Consider that Zito's price tag was $8.5 million this year. Consider the money that will now be flowing from the Pirates to the Athletics for Kendall's contract. If you balance these with the increases to payroll from the other contracts and then deduct for the other players that will be leaving the team this offseason (we allready covered Zito), I beleive the room for such a contract is there.

And like I had written to kick the diary off with, I think that you entice the Sox by willing to trade Calero -- getting some cash back in the exchange -- in order to make a deal happen.

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by LowcountryJoe on Aug 28, 2006 9:36 AM PDT up reply actions

You're suggesting

that the White Sox would trade Buehrle for Calero AND send some money along? Why would Kenny Williams want to do that?

Even if he wants to dump Buehrle, there would be a queue of teams willing to offer him better terms. $8
million is the going rate for innings eaters, and Buehrle at least until this year, has been better than that.

On Sunday, Minaya ticked off a list of candidates to join the rotation, and for once this season, none of them was Jose Lima.

by rfloh on Aug 28, 2006 1:25 PM PDT up reply actions

Zito gets $8mil this year

so why would $9.5 be outta the question?

by dmac13 on Aug 28, 2006 1:00 PM PDT up reply actions

Because

Jarrod Washburn gets $10M, AJ Burnett and Kevin Millwood get $12M, and Zito is better than all of those guys. I think the baseline for a bargain deal with Zito would be $12M, possibly with a sixth year to make the lower number more palatable. Someone will offer him 5 years/$75M.

Oh, and Scott Boras is his agent.

"The first night, we were right there," Bradley said. "All we needed was a couple of touchdowns, and we would have had them."

by jeepers on Aug 28, 2006 1:05 PM PDT up reply actions

I think that was in response to Nico's...

...opinion the MB -- and not BZ -- would be too expensive for the Athletics' budget if he were pursued.

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by LowcountryJoe on Aug 28, 2006 1:10 PM PDT up reply actions

My bad!

You're right. My apologies, dmac!

"The first night, we were right there," Bradley said. "All we needed was a couple of touchdowns, and we would have had them."

by jeepers on Aug 28, 2006 1:11 PM PDT up reply actions

No worries

Your right tho, the SP market is rising fast. Zito will get at least $12M minimum next year, probably $15M...

by dmac13 on Aug 28, 2006 1:31 PM PDT up reply actions

sign Zito

Although Oakland has made it clear that this will not be happening, if I had it my way...

-Convince Wolfe that he needs to pony up the cash for Zito for at least 3-4 more years. If we're talking 12 million-15 million per year, then so be it. Drop Payton and Kotsay and maybe even give Crosby the trade. Do whatever it takes to keep Zito as the ace for the rest of the decade. Hell, I think Zito should spend his entire career in Oakland. It is clear that his leadership has greatly helped the young staff, and is needed for the future starters. And even with a big salary, Zito will be easy to trade if necessary. So:

Zito
Harden
Haren
Blanton
Loaiza

we can't lose!

Live forever or die trying.

by oaklandpete on Aug 28, 2006 9:23 AM PDT reply actions

I hear a lot about how

"the A's won't go after keeping Zito," but hear less about what I believe to be the truth: "Zito won't seriously consider staying with the A's." Zito wants the biggest contract possible, and a shot at 300 wins, and likes the spotlight. He told the A's to feggedabouddit when he signed on with Boras.

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 Aug 28, 2006 9:27 AM PDT up reply actions

Will the A's

make Zito a serious offer? 3 x 12 or something similar is NOT a serious offer; not compared to the market rate.

On Sunday, Minaya ticked off a list of candidates to join the rotation, and for once this season, none of them was Jose Lima.

by rfloh on Aug 28, 2006 1:28 PM PDT up reply actions

I would try to trade Calero

if he can bring a good starter (like Buehrle). Otherwise i'll try Duke as the 5th starter.

by AsMontreal on Aug 28, 2006 9:28 AM PDT reply actions

I want to spend our money on offense

I think we have more than enough young arms in the stable that can be effective fifth starters. There's always the issue of Harden insurance, of course, but without substantial improvements to the offense next year, I can't see the team remaining competitive.

"The first night, we were right there," Bradley said. "All we needed was a couple of touchdowns, and we would have had them."

by jeepers on Aug 28, 2006 9:32 AM PDT reply actions

Point well taken!

But offensive concerns could go into a seperate diary -- one that would make for its own entertainment and opinion/speculation.

The question here, in this thread, should be: "How do you fill the hole in the rotation for 2007?" And, judging by your reply, option "C" seems to cover it.

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by LowcountryJoe on Aug 28, 2006 9:41 AM PDT up reply actions

Exactly my point.

Don't spend one available dollar on FA pitching--spend it all on offense. With the usual disclaimer that you don't reject any possibility of out hand (like if Greg Maddux goes crazy and says he wants to sign with Oakland for $500K).

"The first night, we were right there," Bradley said. "All we needed was a couple of touchdowns, and we would have had them."

by jeepers on Aug 28, 2006 9:44 AM PDT up reply actions

We're a small market team

and plucking out of the FA Market doesn't do us much good right now. Not to mention that we'll already have a $60 million payroll due to raises to all our players, so we don't have much to spend.

I'd go with:
Harden
Haren
Blanton
Loaiza
Windsor
Komine

with one of Windsor and Komine in the bullpen, waiting for Harden to get hurt or the other to struggle.

Mark Mulder might be an interesting reclaimation project for the bullpen, but I think his career might be over. Ted Lilly can go to the Giants, I don't really want him all too much.

And if I was going to spend some money, I might use it to improve our offense instead.

I would try to trade for Vernon Wells, David Dejesus or maybe even try to get Brad Wilkerson from Texas, hoping that he just had a bad year and that the bum shoulder was the problem.

by Zonis on Aug 28, 2006 9:40 AM PDT reply actions

I concur

We won't be able to keep Zito. We can't afford a star pitcher. Better to go with what we have and try to get another bat.

Proudly celebrating my 20th year as an A's fan.

by bzn5150 on Aug 28, 2006 2:31 PM PDT up reply actions

Gaudin

Count me as part of Team Gaudin:

Haren
Harden
Loaiza
Blanton
Gaudin

Starting Pitching is very expensive right now, so I don't see them adding another starter this offseason. I could see Beane going after Lilly in the FA Market, but he's going to get better offers (Giants).

---------------------------------------------------------
On the offensive side of things:

I think they should try to sign Julio Lugo or Alex Cora. Crosby can't stay healthy. Ellis' struggles at the plate aren't surprising. Scutaro isn't a shortstop.
Frank Catalanotto would be a great platoon in LF w/ Bobby Kielty (assuming we can't sign Payton to a contract).

COME ON, OAKLAND, COME ON!

by Colorado Fan on Aug 28, 2006 9:52 AM PDT reply actions

Got to have a lefty

if Barry leaves. (By the way, there's just something that doesn't compute about Barry taking the money and running. Isn't he supposed to be the team's resident Zen master and doesn't he know that the Bay Area is the closest place major league town to Kyoto? Surely, he's above mere interest in the green and has green and gold in his veins???)

But I digress. If he's gone then you'd need a lefty in the rotation. Not Buerhle -- too expensive -- and defintely not Lilly -- way too fragile mentally, which is wnhy Bill let him to go in the first place.
I'd give Joe Kennedy a shot.

by Peter in Montreal on Aug 28, 2006 11:07 AM PDT up reply actions

Lefty

I don't think you HAVE to have a lefty in the starting rotation. But, if they do want a lefty in the rotation, then Halsey is going to get a shot before Kennedy.

I bet Kennedy walks after this season so he can start somewhere else.

COME ON, OAKLAND, COME ON!

by Colorado Fan on Aug 28, 2006 11:20 AM PDT up reply actions

i'm on board with that

Gaudin in the five spot.

harden
haren
loza
fat joe
and that baldheaded freak-gaudin

and spend some $$$ on the O.

"The Matt Watson/Chiba Lotte Marines Fan Club"-Through Aug 27th: GMS-53,AVG-.285,OBP-.367, SLG-.418, 9 doubles, 4 homers, 17 RBI

by bigelephant on Aug 28, 2006 11:30 AM PDT up reply actions

I'm not that high on Gaudin

His K/BB is only 0.97. I don't think he can keep is era that low with that ratio.

by AsMontreal on Aug 28, 2006 11:48 AM PDT reply actions

BB/K

I think a lot of his BB's were at the start of the season - Zero experience in the bullpen tends to bring the BB's.

Lately (last 2-3 months), and with more experience, I would fathom to guess that Gaudin's K/BB Ratio is a lot better than 0.97.

COME ON, OAKLAND, COME ON!

by Colorado Fan on Aug 28, 2006 12:29 PM PDT up reply actions

In my dream world:

Harden
Wood
Doug Davis
Haren
competition of Oliver Perez, Loaiza, Windsor, Komine, Gaudin, Meyer

This is all assuming we trade Blanton to the Pirates for Oliver Perez, others and we sign Kerry Wood and Doug Davis. Once that happens, I think this a great rotation. We gamble that Oliver finds his groove reunited with Jason and we have the depth to survive Harden and Wood's injuries.

"Loyal? I'm the most loyal player money can buy." - Don Sutton

by vignette17 on Aug 28, 2006 12:27 PM PDT reply actions

Perez is a Met now.

I'd stay away from Doug Davis. He's had exactly one good major league season, and many tries.

"The first night, we were right there," Bradley said. "All we needed was a couple of touchdowns, and we would have had them."

by jeepers on Aug 28, 2006 12:46 PM PDT up reply actions

Wow, you're right about Oliver

I was out of the country when that happened, but that's no excuse. By dangling Blanton and possibly one of the holy trinity, maybe we could get Oliver and Milledge (please?).

As for Doug Davis, I think you mean 2 good seasons (as many as Stebby!)! But if his price tag is less than 6 mil a year, I think he's a good deal. It's true both of his good seasons were in the NL, but I'll use the standard excuse: he's been playing for a bad team (no offense, Milwaukee) and he'll rise to the occasion.

"Loyal? I'm the most loyal player money can buy." - Don Sutton

by vignette17 on Aug 28, 2006 6:17 PM PDT up reply actions

The Big Question Mark

I think all of the options listed will at least be explored. Beane and Wolff will offer Zito a competitive but not overwhelming offer for the purpose of saying, "Hey, at least we tried." Zito will sign with the Dodgers for more money and more years. Tires will be kicked for free agent starting pitchers, with no one really fitting the bill. I think it's clear that management is not convinced that neither Saarloos nor Hasley are 5th starter material. That leaves a few names in the minors that could that slot next season.

If only Jason Windsor can hone his best pitch - his changeup - into a major league quality "out pitch" while refining his secondary pitches, he would be the perfect candidate for the 5th starter spot. Best case scenario would be for him to be recalled in September and make a few sport starts where he could get some confidence at the major league level that he can carry over to next season (while being protected by an expanded roster).

A trade for a starting pitcher could always happen, as well. We might be able to package a few players for a decent starting pitcher. Dan Johnson is obviously on the block, especially if he gets a call-up in September and proves that he can still hit major league pitching. In a perfect world, I'd package Calero and DJ for Jake Westbrook (who is under contract, club option, for next year at $5.6 million). Westbrook is a groundball machine that would thrive with our stellar infield defense. The Indians could use a decent, cheap first baseman so that they can DH Hafner full time, while Calero would bring some stability back to the Cleveland bullpen.

That might be a lot to offer for Westbrook, but keep in mind that Swisher is our 1B for now and the future since he is better defensively than DJ and can actually hit left-handed pitching, AND that Calero is about to hit arbitration (aka EXPENSIVE), and with Gaudin emerging as a quality set-up guy, Kiko becomes expendable.

My 2007 rotation is thus:
1.    Harden
2.    Haren
3.    Westbrook
4.    Loaiza
5.    Blanton

by Taj Adib on Aug 28, 2006 12:27 PM PDT reply actions

Not a bad thought.

But Ryan Garko looks like he might have a future at first base in Cleveland, and he costs the same.

"The first night, we were right there," Bradley said. "All we needed was a couple of touchdowns, and we would have had them."

by jeepers on Aug 28, 2006 12:47 PM PDT up reply actions

I don't know...

I think VMart is the 1b of the future for Cleveland.

They have Shoppach who plays a better C than Martinez and if they could play Martinez at first they lose his liability of keeping him at catcher.

by Zabat on Aug 28, 2006 3:21 PM PDT up reply actions

Vicente Padilla

by BleacherDave on Aug 28, 2006 1:10 PM PDT reply actions

Yeah, he looks like a pretty good value

And so does Doug Davis and Tomo Ohka. But that's just my opinion. The league change consequence would be bothersome for me with those two as well.

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by LowcountryJoe on Aug 28, 2006 1:19 PM PDT up reply actions

He does eat a lot

of innings, that is.

Proudly celebrating my 20th year as an A's fan.

by bzn5150 on Aug 28, 2006 2:33 PM PDT up reply actions

What about Buehrle?

He'll be a FA coming off a down year. His K rate has slipped and his BB/9 rose a bit, but he's a good candidate for a bounce back as any. He's also a ground ball pitcher, so he would benefit from our excellent defence.

He's probably about as good as Zito, but he may be available for a smaller paycheck. He may also consider a short term deal so he can hit the FA market on a better year.

by MrIncognito on Aug 28, 2006 1:11 PM PDT reply actions

I think he'll get a Washburn deal

4 years/$40M, just based on their similar track records--and he might get more.

"The first night, we were right there," Bradley said. "All we needed was a couple of touchdowns, and we would have had them."

by jeepers on Aug 28, 2006 1:13 PM PDT up reply actions

Seriously,

If he asked for a 4/40, and I'm the GM, it's our contract. Plus I'd offer to walk his dogs, cats, children...you name it.

See this post for an explanation as to why I'd feel as though I got a great deal.

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by LowcountryJoe on Aug 28, 2006 1:24 PM PDT up reply actions

Buerhle is the definition of inning eater.

Sorry I seem to have ADD today :-). I suppose if you could get Buerhle via trade and be on the hook only for next year's option, rather than sign him to a new deal, I'd do it. I'd prefer to avoid a long-term deal, though. Buerhle's good, but not THAT good.

"The first night, we were right there," Bradley said. "All we needed was a couple of touchdowns, and we would have had them."

by jeepers on Aug 28, 2006 1:28 PM PDT up reply actions

The White Sox

have a club option for $9.5 million.

On Sunday, Minaya ticked off a list of candidates to join the rotation, and for once this season, none of them was Jose Lima.

by rfloh on Aug 28, 2006 1:39 PM PDT up reply actions

I thought Doug Davis was a FA,

and if so I think the A's would go hard after him (lefty, throws strikes, innings eater, from Walnut Creek), but I believe the Brewers have an option for him for 2007.

As for Gaudin's K/BB rate, I think one has to factor in strongly the fact that at 23, he is not pitching the way he can be expected to pitch next year. Harden, Haren, and Blanton are all examples of how the first 1/2 season doesn't really predict the next 1/2 season or following season. We're already seeing the maturing process with Gaudin, from April to August of this year.

Gaudin probably does need to add a changeup or splitter to be a good starter, but I'll bet that process already begun.

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 Aug 28, 2006 1:46 PM PDT reply actions

No Option...

I have found nothing sayiing that the Brewers have a 2007 option on Davis.

http://mlbcontracts.blogspot.com/2005/01/milwaukee-brewers.html

Doug Davis p
2 year/$4.75M (2005-06), plus $0.4M in incentives

* 05:$2.05M, 06:$2.7M
* 2005 salary increases by $0.3M with 34 GS in 2004
* 2006 salary increases by $0.5M with 33 GS in 2005
* signed extension 7/04
* 1 year/$0.45M (2004) (minor-league contract)
* 1 year/$0.4275M (2003) 2/03
* 1 year/$0.31M (2002) 2/02
* ML service: 4.138

Looks like he is a FA after this season.

by Zabat on Aug 28, 2006 3:25 PM PDT reply actions

Not a free agent

According to that info he'll be just short of the 6 years service time needed to qualify for free agency.

We hold these truths to be self-evident / We drink beer in bars and act irreverent - Lambchop

by andeux on Aug 28, 2006 3:28 PM PDT up reply actions

Ah, that's what it is--

I inferred the part about an option. I just remember being told--by a blue furry muppet, actually--that Davis was not, in fact, a FA after 2006. Which constituted an excellent rebuttal to my suggestion that the A's should sign him this off-season.

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 Aug 28, 2006 4:55 PM PDT up reply actions