Couple A's Almost Transactions

by Oaklanda12 on Jan 12, 2007 2:16 PM PST

Offer was officially made to Erstad:

http://mlb.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/news/article.jsp?ymd=20070112&content_id=1778276&vkey=news_mlb &fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb

And MLB Trade Rumors confirms that the Mets and Oakland are still talking; this time:

Haren for Heilmann, Milledge and a Minor League Pitcher:

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/oakland_athletics/index.html

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Comments

NO TRADING HAREN!

PLEASE!

by gotgreen on Jan 12, 2007 2:16 PM PST reply actions

NO OFFER TO ERSTAD!

Double please!

"Kotsay is 31... Kotsay's back is 127." - Jeepers

by Ozzz on Jan 12, 2007 2:31 PM PST up reply actions

really?!?

But he hits like Kendall!

The inspection process may require that the handler take off the monkey's diaper as part of the visual inspection @('.')@

by monkeyball on Jan 12, 2007 4:15 PM PST up reply actions

specify please

who hits like Kendall; Erstad or Haren???

"Length matters, and if anyone tells you otherwise they're just trying to spare your feelings."-green star oakland

by F171615 on Jan 12, 2007 4:20 PM PST up reply actions

Will he hit Lackey

like Kendall did?

by booya on Jan 12, 2007 4:24 PM PST up reply actions

Kendall hit .295 last season.

Erstad hit walls.

"Kotsay is 31... Kotsay's back is 127." - Jeepers

by Ozzz on Jan 14, 2007 3:15 AM PST up reply actions

DITTO

Do not like this at all! For me Haren is not worth this.

by Leesa on Jan 12, 2007 2:31 PM PST up reply actions

NO ERSTAD PLEASE

We don't need no stinkin' grit.

by theblackpearl on Jan 12, 2007 2:23 PM PST reply actions

The third player may be . . .

. . . Mike Devaney.

Jim

by jarforcefatherofforce on Jan 12, 2007 2:25 PM PST reply actions

Which would be a Fuckin-A trade...

for the NY Mets.

This guy is dead! We'll list him as day-to-day for possible reincarnation.

A's Medical Staff, 2006

by grover on Jan 12, 2007 2:26 PM PST up reply actions

Do not like the idea of trading Haren to Mets

Beane would be getting fleeced for the present time anyway if that trade went down.

Charlie Brown GO A'S WIN

by Charlie Brown on Jan 12, 2007 2:47 PM PST up reply actions

Devaney, who was picked in the 23rd round in 2004, was 12-5 record with a 2.13 ERA in 26 starts between St. Lucie and Double-A Binghamton. The 6-foot-4, 228-pound righty struck out 129 in 147 2/3 innings.

He did win pitcher of the year for the Mets....Don't seem to bad to me.

by Oaklanda12 on Jan 12, 2007 2:33 PM PST reply actions

He also walked 70

or does that not matter?

This guy is dead! We'll list him as day-to-day for possible reincarnation.

A's Medical Staff, 2006

by grover on Jan 12, 2007 2:39 PM PST up reply actions

You can also say that about RIch Harden...

When he first came up....

But hey, you can't argue with results. Any pitcher with a 2.13 ERA and a great K/Inning Ratio is talented.

by Oaklanda12 on Jan 12, 2007 2:45 PM PST up reply actions

You want results?

Harden (20) AA: 5.48 BB/9 10.76 K/9

Devaney (24) AA: 5.94 BB/9 7.30 K/9

Great comparison. Devaney was 4 years older when he made his AA debut and he posted weaker numbers. Mike's sinker tops out at 90 MPH and there isn't a single scouting site that projects Devaney to be anything other than a middle relief arm.

Would you like to try again?

This guy is dead! We'll list him as day-to-day for possible reincarnation.

A's Medical Staff, 2006

by grover on Jan 12, 2007 3:18 PM PST up reply actions

Why the malicious intent?

I'm simply saying the Davaney with the success that he is having at both the A - AA levels, there's no doubt in my mind that can be a potential on the A's starting rotation. I'll take a guy with a history of success rather than the guy who the scouts "say" is going to be good. I can tell you one thing, he would be better than ANY of the pitching prospects we have now! So this trade would be a benefit to us, whether you like it or not.

by Oaklanda12 on Jan 12, 2007 3:33 PM PST up reply actions

I'm not malicious

I've just got no patience.

You are woefully ill-informed regarding minor league prospects. Let's take this statement:

"I can tell you one thing, he would be better than ANY of the pitching prospects we have now!"

Let me show you how flat out wrong that idea is.

Devaney '06
(A+) 94.2 IP 5.99 H/9 3.33 BB/9 8.18 K/9 WHIP = 1.04
(AA) 53.0 IP 6.62 H/9 5.94 BB/9 7.30 K/9 WHIP = 1.40

Jason Windsor (Oakland A's farmhand) '06
(AA) 33.1 IP 7.29 H/9 2.70 BB/9 9.45 K/9 WHIP = 1.11
(AAA) 118 IP 9.76 H/9 2.44 BB/9 9.38 K/9 WHIP = 1.38

Just going by the "history of success" Windsor was every bit as good if not better than Devaney was last year and Jason pitched his innings at a more advanced level. Here's the kicker... Windsor is only 2 weeks older than Devaney.

This guy is dead! We'll list him as day-to-day for possible reincarnation.

A's Medical Staff, 2006

by grover on Jan 12, 2007 4:31 PM PST up reply actions

Just checked BP's list of team prospects....

Devaney didn't even crack their top 10. I call bullshit on this rumor. I'd be shocked if we give up the guy who everyone seems to believe is our next ace for a potential star, an average reliever and a non-prospect. 24 year olds who are in AA do not turn into stars 99.9% of the time.

I'll try not to swear.

by Tony on Jan 12, 2007 5:29 PM PST up reply actions

Devaney didn't make BA's Top 30 in 2006

Heck, he didn't even get a mention in depth chart!

This guy is dead! We'll list him as day-to-day for possible reincarnation.

A's Medical Staff, 2006

by grover on Jan 12, 2007 5:57 PM PST up reply actions

John Sickels

Has Devaney at #14 in what is a very shallow Mets farm system. Sickels comment states that Devaney, "looks like a utility pitcher to me." Methinks this rumor is another one of those classic New York media trade rumors that makes great sense for the New York team, but makes no sense for the other team. Haren and Calero for Maine, Milledge, and Pelfry or Humber is within the realm of possibilities, but Haren for Heilman, Milledge and Devaney is not going to happen.

I'd like to eat my lunch, but Billy just kicked me out of my office.

by BlameChannel53 on Jan 12, 2007 6:17 PM PST up reply actions

You know what might explain the Erstad deal?

Maybe Billy is just pushing up the price, so that a competitor has to pay more for him. Seems to me like the kind of guy that Texas would spend too much money on, or maybe Anaheim - again.

Or am I just living in hope?

"Kotsay is 31... Kotsay's back is 127." - Jeepers

by Ozzz on Jan 12, 2007 2:33 PM PST reply actions

Seems like a Giant Cupcake to me

by Oaklanda12 on Jan 12, 2007 2:33 PM PST reply actions

Erstad on the cheap like with Thomas

might be okay. But do not overpay for him.

Charlie Brown GO A'S WIN

by Charlie Brown on Jan 12, 2007 2:49 PM PST reply actions

No way he signs with the A's

He is likely to get a multiple year contract elsewhere (thankfully...hopefully). I rather see the A's keep Durazo and possibly Mike Neu that Goleski guy all year. Just don't sign Erstad!

by franks a lot on Jan 12, 2007 2:56 PM PST reply actions

Rios

What about Rios for Blanton?

by brownln on Jan 12, 2007 3:08 PM PST reply actions

Toronto supposedly

no longer shopping Rios

http://www.mlb4u.com/rumor.php?order=date&spec=DESC

by OaklandSi on Jan 12, 2007 4:12 PM PST up reply actions

That Haren trade

is WHACK!! That would be a mistake, especially for Heilman, he's a bullpen guy, not a starter. John Maine would be a better pickup. But even then, the A's would have no chance to compete this year.

Besides, these two deals together don't make sense. Why would we sign Erstad and then trade for Milledge? We'd have Milledge, Kielty, Erstad, Kotsay, Bradley and Swisher available in the outfield, with Johnson and Swish at first, PLUS Durazo and Piazza playing for DH?

Yeah, if we offered Erstad a contract then that Haren trade is bull.

by Philip Christy on Jan 12, 2007 3:13 PM PST reply actions

If they sign Erstad, I see Kielty not being here

at the end of ST. Someone has to be gone, there are too many OF, 1B bodies on this team for someone not to be on the way out.

by theblackpearl on Jan 12, 2007 3:19 PM PST up reply actions

Not necessarily

I think Milledge needs another half-season in AAA, maybe longer before he's ready for a full time job. So signing Erstad to a 1 year deal makes some sense.

This guy is dead! We'll list him as day-to-day for possible reincarnation.

A's Medical Staff, 2006

by grover on Jan 12, 2007 3:21 PM PST up reply actions

How does Milledge have anything to do with it,

unless we send an Outfielder to NY. We now have Kotsay, Kielty, Swisher, Bradley, Goleski, they can't hide him on the DL the whole year can they. Then we have DJ, Piazza, and Durazo. That is 8 of the 11 or 12 position players. Add in KEndall, Melhuse, Chavvy, Crosby, Ellis, Scutaro, and Perez, there are at least 3 of them who CAN'T make the squad, 2 if you can hide Goleski for the whole year, so someone has to go.

by theblackpearl on Jan 12, 2007 3:28 PM PST up reply actions

They might very well hide Goleski

on the 60 day DL all season. Besides, it could work out that the Indians would trade Goleski's rights in a cash deal as compensation for not including the guy on the injured list prior to the Rule 5 draft.

This guy is dead! We'll list him as day-to-day for possible reincarnation.

A's Medical Staff, 2006

by grover on Jan 12, 2007 4:33 PM PST up reply actions

That is what I was thinking ...

...the way roster spots are disapearing around here you would think they'd work something with the Tribe to get Goleski cleared for AAA.

Erstad's shoulder is compromised on top of his ankle woes. He has had one offensive season since '98. He can't play D in the outfield so A's must be looking for help at 1B. If he is supposed to free Swisher up for full-time outfield he has two months to learn how to hit lefties, something both he and DJ haven't done in recent years.

...and A's still need a backup center fielder that can actually run and throw. Bocachica CAN hit lefties well so for the A's CF needs - Hiram would be a big upgrade over Erstad at 1B!
(I never thought big upgrade would be words I'd combine with Bocachica.)

Or if Bradley can play some CF, ...I don't see it in his recent history, and given his injuries history I would expect him to resist that assignment. But if Bradly were to play a little CF, Swisher and Kielty take the corners to give Kots his breaks and Erstad could go back to the LAAOA thank you.

by A s Eh on Jan 12, 2007 8:01 PM PST up reply actions

DO NOT TRADE HAREN - AT ALL

Unless it is for Johan... Otherwise... um, NO!!

Blanton is one thing - but Haren... No F-ing WAY!!!

by SD Erik on Jan 12, 2007 3:22 PM PST reply actions

Okay, okay....if the met's throw in

Jose Reyes and we give up Crosby then I'm for this.

And since that ain't happening, this deal shouldn't be happening.

"Baseball is like a church. Many attend, but few understand." - Wes Westrum

by oaklandfan40 on Jan 12, 2007 3:26 PM PST reply actions

NO

I will say again, NO. Not Haren.

FIRE (insert name) NOW!

by DCinWC on Jan 12, 2007 3:51 PM PST reply actions

Erstad

Wouldnt be an awful signing... We used 2 make fun of him because he made 10mil and batted 280 with 10jacks. But, he is a "gold glove" defender whatever that means and may help give Kotsay some days off and what have you. I say its a good deal if we get him for a decent amount of money plus its only 1 year. Aside from that, pleaseeeeee dont trade Haren. Given the market he is one helluv of bargain.

by Spidz34 on Jan 12, 2007 4:23 PM PST reply actions

Your memory of Erstad is correct

...but the memory won't be wearing G 'n G.

by A s Eh on Jan 12, 2007 8:03 PM PST up reply actions

Erstad's Career Fielding Percentage is 99.5%

Playing only OF and 1B his whole career, .995 career fielding percentage. Not too shabby.
Looks like he was pretty hurt last year, though. I hate the Angels so much, but we do need another outfielder.
Trading one of our starting pitchers is just INSANE.

by eriklovestheathletics on Jan 12, 2007 8:17 PM PST reply actions