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Scutaro traded to Blue Jays

Obviously it was time to move in a different direction, and I know the A's didn't want to pay the big salary increase for him in 2008. But I'll still miss the guy. He truly seemed to be was one of those "clutch" types people like to debate endlessly about.

So is Donnie Murphy the new Scutaro? Or will someone else fill that utility role?

Scutaro traded to Blue Jays

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I'm happy we got anything for him

figured he was going to be released

Signatures? We don't need no stinking signatures.

by jubjub on Nov 18, 2007 10:36 AM PST   0 recs

Well, if you really think about it

Throw away all your conceptions about Scoot and look at him for what he is;

A light hitting backup infielder who can play 2B, SS and 3B, and who's best position is 2B, with average speed. And he's due $2-$3 million bucks.

So yeah, trade him for a couple low A prospects who might return something...

Then replace him with, say, Donnie Murphy. A better hitting backup infielder who can play 2B, SS and 3B, and who's better defensivly than Scutaro, and is faster.

This isn't that big a supprise really. None of us made our mock 2008 rosters with Scutaro on them. And it could also very likely be a favor to an old friend JP, who can use Scutaro as his everyday SS if he really needs it, much like the A's, and has the money to pay for it.

The Jays middle infield situation is as bad as ours, after all. Too bad we couldn't give em crosby.

by Zonis on Nov 18, 2007 10:36 AM PST   0 recs

Better Hitting?

That's unproven. He is cheaper. Scutaro is a better fielder and we know he can hit major league pitching if he plays every day. Murphy can hit minor league pitching but has yet to prove himself in the majors.

If it was a choice between this and a non-tender, at least the A's got a couple of prospects back, one of whom was highly regarded prior to 2006.

by richwol on Nov 18, 2007 7:17 PM PST to parent up   0 recs

Sorry, man

Scutaro isn't a better fielder, except if it's at second base (where the A's... don't really need a better fielder). He doesn't have the reaction time or the arm to be a good third baseman, and his debatably superior range at short is counterbalanced by his (for an infielder) pretty mediocre arm.

Unless you mean "fielder" in the strictly technical sense of "one who is skilled at gloving balls in the general vicinity of his left hand." Which you might, I guess. But as a baseball defender, Murphy is clearly superior at the relevant positions.

cardinalprecepts.blogspot.com

by PaulThomas on Nov 18, 2007 9:33 PM PST to parent up   0 recs

Euphemism of the Month

gloving balls in the general vicinity of his left hand

Barry Zito Colonoscopy

by JediLeroy on Nov 19, 2007 7:52 AM PST to parent up   0 recs

...ouch

Well played, sirrah.

cardinalprecepts.blogspot.com

by PaulThomas on Nov 19, 2007 8:10 AM PST to parent up   0 recs

murphy hit major league pitching
better than scutaro last year.
A's v Giants "is kind of like the difference between going to see the Ramones and going to see the Bee Gees. A's fans will go see the Ramones." -BB 07/27/05

by xbhaskarx on Nov 18, 2007 11:21 PM PST to parent up   0 recs

I've been to my share of A's games

and it seemed as tho Scoot was making more errors this past season than in previous seasons. Just an observation. Although, he is better suited to play 2B.

I'll still miss him. He's been one of my favorite A's players.

Thank you Raider fan! We all get to watch the Pats/Colts game on TV.

by sf drift king on Nov 19, 2007 12:10 PM PST to parent up   0 recs

Pretty obvious move

Can't have him on the roster with Hannahan and Murphy, and Murphy handles SS a lot better, as well as both those two being a lot cheaper.

Sad to see Scoot go though. Great memories.

by mikeA on Nov 18, 2007 10:39 AM PST   0 recs

Thank you Scoot

And goodbye.

Marco!

Yep. Warm and fuzzy... that's me.

by grover on Nov 18, 2007 10:41 AM PST   0 recs

Scutaro!

I have the same sentiments: obvious move, but I'll miss the guy and all the memories he gave us.

Stat Wonk Futurist

by salb918 on Nov 18, 2007 11:07 AM PST to parent up   0 recs

Did you see my last diary?

I was hoping for a critique.

Yep. Warm and fuzzy... that's me.

by grover on Nov 18, 2007 11:32 AM PST to parent up   0 recs

I did, and I never responded.

I also never responded to your last email. No one told me being a dad would mean I'd have to neglect the Internet People!

More later.  I'm writing a season preview for the A's in the THT Preseason Book, so I might just wait until I do all the research for that.

Stat Wonk Futurist

by salb918 on Nov 18, 2007 11:45 AM PST to parent up   0 recs

Some might call it neglect

I call it finding time to sleep and eat.

Yep. Warm and fuzzy... that's me.

by grover on Nov 18, 2007 11:50 AM PST to parent up   0 recs

The Internet people!!!!!!
They're gonna get you, I swear!!!!
Stuck on Buck :)

by GreenNGoldGirl on Nov 18, 2007 12:27 PM PST to parent up   0 recs

Those in glass homes shouldn't throw stones

Lil' miss I'm-never-around-anymore!

Yep. Warm and fuzzy... that's me.

by grover on Nov 18, 2007 12:31 PM PST to parent up   0 recs

Since we all seem to have the same sentiment

I hereby dedicate this diary to posting favorite Scutaro memories and highlights of his career with the A's!

My personal favorite is probably during the 2006 ALDS, when he hit his double down the line, knocking in a couple runs, and the entire stadium was chanting "<clap clap> MARCO! <clap clap clap> SCUTARO!"

by Zonis on Nov 18, 2007 10:48 AM PST   0 recs

mine too!

I only go to a few games a year in person, but that was definitely one of them!

And don't forget his umpty skidillion walk-offs!

"The more self-centered and egotistical a guy is, the better ballplayer he's going to be."- Bill "The Spaceman" Lee

by The Pilots Dared Me To Die on Nov 18, 2007 10:51 AM PST to parent up   0 recs

will always

be one of our double secret cult favorites - confounding non-a's fans with his popularity here. and, an awesome performance with his wife in the indianapolis indians movie- a player to be named later. thanks marco. look forward to your tip of the hat to us before your first AB back in the O.

jesus saves. and espo scores on the rebound.

by oakath on Nov 18, 2007 10:51 AM PST   0 recs

soft spot in our hearts

We know that, sabermetrically speaking, he's in Eckstein territory.  Does not stop us from a little love & respect.

by MobiusKlein on Nov 19, 2007 9:43 AM PST to parent up   0 recs

first game

that i was ever drunk at. a memory for two different reasons.

"He has no equivalent." -Paul DePodesta on Jeremy Brown

by flipgatey3 on Nov 18, 2007 11:17 AM PST to parent up   0 recs

Ah, yeah!
It was the perfect way to celebrate the first Jackie Robinson game (or whatever it was officially called). I remember the Yankees' middle infielders (RC + DJ) both sporting #42 jerseys plus Rivera, which made for a nice visual symmetry.

A friend with us in the bleachers, an East Coast native and longtime Yankees fan, had to leave early to get ready for an outing that night. The game looked to be well under the NYY's control, and I'm actually glad he left before that walk off. (He's a nice enough guy that I wouldn't want to taunt him, as I'd be tempted to do with others.)

Watching the ball from the LF bleachers provided an amazing vantage point, and Randy Newman's (?) theme from The Natural would've been the perfect accompaniment for a slow motion viewing of that shot, though KK's oft-replayed radio call still brings me goosebumps.

Best wishes to Marco and his family! Can't wait 'til the Jays return to the Mac.

P.S. Didn't an ANer see the entire Scutaro family at a WalMart?

by PositionPlayerProd on Nov 18, 2007 11:24 AM PST to parent up   0 recs

Graham Godfrey Scouting Report
2007 Pre-Season Rankings (BA/Sickels)

#18/C

Performance: Low-A Midwest League (1st pro season)

6-7 3.98 ERA 21 GS 110.2 IP

http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?n=Graham%20Godfrey&pos=P&sid=milb&am p;t=p_pbp&pid=453232

Born 9/9/84  R/R

From BA's 2007 Prospect Handbook:

Throws 90-94, solid curve as #2 pitch. Control, command and change-up points of emphasis for 2007.

Yep. Warm and fuzzy... that's me.

by grover on Nov 18, 2007 10:51 AM PST   0 recs

Hear Hear

To Marco Scutaro. Thanks for the moments.

RagingHarden: Yeah if you get 20 starts out of me I'll be shocked. Like, I'll wreck my drawers.

by walk off bunt on Nov 18, 2007 11:02 AM PST   0 recs

Oh good

It's good to get two worthless Single-A players in trade for one of the A's best clutch hitters ever who the fans universally love. Way to throw the fans a bone, Beane.

by Philip Christy on Nov 18, 2007 11:19 AM PST   0 recs

Wait, so do fans want a winning team

or one full of overpaid underproducers?

Donnie Murphy will bring much more to the table next year that Scoot ever would have.

Scoot, we'll miss you. Steal a couple from the Yanks while you're in Toronto.

Barry Zito Colonoscopy

by JediLeroy on Nov 18, 2007 11:26 AM PST to parent up   0 recs

Thank you, Marco Scutaro.

Not a surprise, really, but still sad to see him go.

"The hard... is what makes it great."

by Jjjsixsix on Nov 18, 2007 11:20 AM PST   0 recs

HR off Rivera:

http://www.jlaff.com/ - http://justinlafferty.blogspot.com/

by JLaff on Nov 18, 2007 11:37 AM PST   0 recs

Good luck Scoot

His hard work, determination, numerous walk offs, and ability to adapt to whatever position we needed him at will always make him a favorite in my books. We couldn't keep both him and Murphy, so it makes sense from a baseball standpoint. He'll get a huge cheer from the crowd when he returns, and it will be well deserved.

There's no crying in baseball!

by gigglingone on Nov 18, 2007 11:41 AM PST   0 recs

Good luck Marco!

I already miss that hot little piece of Venezuelan man candy.  

"Don't be an ass!" --Bill King

by batgirl on Nov 18, 2007 11:42 AM PST   0 recs

Just About Right for Scutaro

I know some people are going to bring up the sentimentality of Scutaro and insist that this deal sucks, but two Single-A pitchers with a little upside are just about all you can expect from a career backup infielder who will cost close to $2 million next season.

If anything, Beane did us the fans a favor by at least getting SOMETHING in return for him, since it might've been a lot easier to just DFA Marco or release him.

I'm not "wild" about Kristian Bell, who's got some pretty serious command issues, although scouts seem to think that he has a "live arm" and can touch the mid-90s with his fastball and can get righties out with a plus slider. With luck, he could be Kiko Calero.

Graham Godfrey is the real "prize" here. Although he was taken in the 34th round by the Jays, he was enticed away from going back to school with a six-figure signing bonus, which is an amount usually reserved for a 6th or 7th round selection. So Godfrey obviously impressed somebody enough to overpay for him.

He keeps the ball on the ground and keeps his walks down. With luck, he could be Lenny DiNardo.

So, the way I see this deal, is Oakland gets an extra 6th round and late-round pick in exchange for a guy we picked up on waivers years ago and was not part of the present or future. So while not being an "Effin Eh" trade, it's better than "Scutaro was claimed on waivers by the Blue Jays"/

by Taj Adib on Nov 18, 2007 11:43 AM PST   0 recs

Agreed.

No player would be untouchable if Veronica Mars were to become "available".

by Taj Adib on Nov 18, 2007 11:52 AM PST to parent up   0 recs

apparently i'm the only person who doesn't know

who kristen bell is...
i just looked her up on imdb and i guess i've seen her in two episodes of deadwood (don't remember her) and spartan (pretty unimpressive mamet movie).

A's v Giants "is kind of like the difference between going to see the Ramones and going to see the Bee Gees. A's fans will go see the Ramones." -BB 07/27/05

by xbhaskarx on Nov 18, 2007 3:16 PM PST to parent up   0 recs

Who knows if it won't be an "Effin Eh" trade?

Last time the A's quietly acquired a pitcher the Blue Jays were happy to shed it was Chad Gaudin. At the time, most of us (myself included) were going, "Who again?" followed by (when we saw his major league stats), "And we traded for him WHY?" Time will tell whether we got nothing, a little, or 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 Nov 18, 2007 12:16 PM PST to parent up   0 recs

Gaudin was a hot prospect at one time.

He broke into the majors at age 20, and scouting reports on his stuff were always positive.  When we got him, he was 23 and had quit a bit of major league experience.

Bell and Godfrey could be something, I just wouldn't count on it.

This is more like an "effin meh" trade.

Stat Wonk Futurist

by salb918 on Nov 18, 2007 12:22 PM PST to parent up   0 recs

Fair point

Still, it's nice to get something for a guy that could have easily been DFA'd. Bell and Godfrey may turn out to do nothing but they have a much better chance of turning into something than the no one the A's would have gotten by releasing Scoot.

Yep. Warm and fuzzy... that's me.

by grover on Nov 18, 2007 12:30 PM PST to parent up   0 recs

Agree.
Stat Wonk Futurist

by salb918 on Nov 18, 2007 12:47 PM PST to parent up   0 recs

You are right on the mark

Both guys might never make the majors but they both throw in the mid-90's, and both are only 23, and with pitchers you never know when you might get real lucky.  No one on this site was jumping up and down when the A's got Gaudin, and that worked out pretty well, jury still out on Halsey.  I am all for trying to find pitchers, much easier than finding hitters.   Scutaro had to go to allow for Murphy and Hannahan to make the roster.  Much younger, much cheaper with a lot more upside.  

by china bob on Nov 18, 2007 12:20 PM PST to parent up   0 recs

From the Toronto site...

Scutaro is a very cheap option (was hoping for a Crosby trade)...

hahahaha

by mikeA on Nov 18, 2007 12:08 PM PST   0 recs

Oh man...

I needed a laugh. Thanks!

by Sixto on Nov 18, 2007 6:38 PM PST to parent up   0 recs

This was bound to happen

but rather than ruminate upon that I'll just take this opportunity to say goodbye to a player we've all enjoyed watching and having on the team.
Truly a class act, and a guy with character who was easy to root for and who really did seem to have some kind of "clutch" ability in many crucial at-bats.
But most importantly, I think, he was just a fun guy to have on the team.
I hope he goes on to good things in Toronto and perhaps beyond, and enjoys a solid MLB career in general.
(And we just lost our best ballpark chant for any active player...dammit!)

by still bills kingdom on Nov 18, 2007 12:24 PM PST   0 recs

I am going to miss him so much!

I just ADORE Marco! I am going to miss him so much, I don't know if words can fully express it!

"I'm already in Barry's head! He doesn't want to play against ME!" - Kotsay on facing Zito, Fan Fest 2007

by BobbyCrosbysGirl on Nov 18, 2007 12:33 PM PST   0 recs

I'm sad

but my godson who's going to school in Toronto will no doubt instruct the Blue Jays fans in the art of the MARCO!  SCUTARO! chant.  

Pitchers and catchers report February 9, 2008! (tentative)

by Englishmajor on Nov 18, 2007 1:02 PM PST   0 recs

where is he going to school?

I went to U of T.

Rickey Henderson: 35, 24, hall of fame!

by Athletics fan and runner on Nov 19, 2007 5:39 AM PST to parent up   0 recs

WOW

All of those came at the colosuem.... no wonder we love him!

Tear down Mount Davis!

by polytician on Nov 18, 2007 1:44 PM PST to parent up   0 recs

Walk-offs

Can only happen at home.

"Their batters are patient to the point that it's annoying." -Ryan Franklin

by Helloooo 1st on Nov 18, 2007 2:32 PM PST to parent up   0 recs

Quote from PR

Only six-time Gold Glove third baseman Eric Chavez (512) has appeared in more games than Scutaro (476) since Scutaro joined the A's in 2004.

That's pretty amazing, er sad.

Signatures? We don't need no stinking signatures.

by jubjub on Nov 18, 2007 1:06 PM PST   0 recs

Makes you laugh, cry and hurl
Yep. Warm and fuzzy... that's me.

by grover on Nov 18, 2007 1:11 PM PST to parent up   0 recs

wow, i was fine with the trade

but now i'm depressed

A's v Giants "is kind of like the difference between going to see the Ramones and going to see the Bee Gees. A's fans will go see the Ramones." -BB 07/27/05

by xbhaskarx on Nov 18, 2007 3:04 PM PST to parent up   0 recs

this is why I'll miss the guy so much.

While all of AN is saying "yeah, we figured as much", I hope you all realize how Scutaro played ALL THE TIME! He got injured like once! Are we placing any value on durability? This ranks right up there with the Byrnes trade for me on a personal level, but for AN I have to go the moneyball level:

Will the A's place value on durable players, or have we been priced out of that market too?

I have no doubt that Beane made a trade that is positive for the A's, I'm just still getting over the fact that my favorite player is gone now.

Something you would think I'd be used to by now.

Bob Geren, on 8/2/07, on the success of Alan Embree as new interim closer: "What can I say,... he's been our Steady Tremendous Bullpen Man"

by popcornjames on Nov 19, 2007 10:19 AM PST to parent up   0 recs

Durability is obviously valuable.

If Marco Scutaro's your best option, a healthy Marco's more valuable than a hurt one. The problem (for those that hate to see him go) is that Marco isn't our best option anymore. Luckily, the A's should see an increase (or at the least repeat) in performance from their utility guy without having to increase salary.

Of course, none of that takes away the sting of losing one of your favorite players.

Barry Zito Colonoscopy

by JediLeroy on Nov 19, 2007 4:49 PM PST to parent up   0 recs

this makes me so sad!

i KNOW the move makes sense but i still hate it!

i will miss that lovable little venezuelan!!

by gotgreen on Nov 18, 2007 1:42 PM PST   0 recs

MARCO! SCUTARO!

I'll miss him being in the division.

Visiting from LL.

by Graham on Nov 18, 2007 2:50 PM PST   0 recs

But, they could have got Eckstein!!

What's up with the Blue Jays giving up 2 single-A players when they could have got Eckstein as a free agent and kept those players. I mean why would you want a guy who has never been to a World Series over the guy who has been on the winning team for 2 world series and got a World Series MVP.  Clearly, JP has lost his marbles.

What kind of idiot GM would trade two single A prospects for Scutaro instead of signing Eckstein to a 4 year 36 million dollar contract, and whose grit and toughness will single handedly carry your team to the World Series.

I think the Blue Jays are going to be kicking themselves over this trade instead of signing Eckstein.  But, wait maybe now that we traded Scutaro Oakland can sign Eckstein to replace Crosby!!!

by Donner on Nov 18, 2007 3:02 PM PST   0 recs

Been reading too much FJM.

Therefore, sarcasm...  I did look at the stats.  Eckstein might have a slight edge offensively solely on a higher OBP and batting average.  Although that is balanced out by Scutaro nearly equal number home runs in half as many at bats.

And, I would take Scutaro defensively any day of the week.

I think it is an interesting case study into how capricious baseball is that one these two players who are the same age and play the same position and arguably are nearly equivalent players.  Yet, one is a starting SS looking to sign a big free agent contract and the other is a super sub.

by Donner on Nov 18, 2007 5:26 PM PST to parent up   0 recs

Oh thank god.

I guess I should have known from "whose grit and toughness will single handedly carry your team to the World Series." Ha ha.

by Rocktopus on Nov 18, 2007 6:28 PM PST to parent up   0 recs

Went the way of Menechino

Toronto: where ex-Oakland utility infielders get traded

by faninphilly on Nov 18, 2007 3:33 PM PST   0 recs

And backup catchers...

and former thirdbase prospects...
and fourth starters...

Stat Wonk Futurist

by salb918 on Nov 18, 2007 3:41 PM PST to parent up   0 recs

as i said on the front page

discarded a's go to the blue jays and royals.  
the jays because of ricciardi, the royals because they'll take anybody as long as they're relatively cheap.

A's v Giants "is kind of like the difference between going to see the Ramones and going to see the Bee Gees. A's fans will go see the Ramones." -BB 07/27/05

by xbhaskarx on Nov 18, 2007 6:22 PM PST to parent up   0 recs

The Orioles?

Or maybe that's just ex-A's free agents.

Seriously, they have to have set some kind of record for most players ever to have been on one opposing team, with Payton, Tejada, Hernandez, Bradford and Bynum-- and that's just off the top of my head.

cardinalprecepts.blogspot.com

by PaulThomas on Nov 18, 2007 9:40 PM PST to parent up   0 recs

Didn't Frankie predate JP?

I seem to recall that being the case. Of course, I also seem to recall attending a 4 game series against the Indians, where the A's swept, and Marco had a walkoff.

I hate stats. They have such an odd relationship with truth.

by Bronx A's Fan on Nov 19, 2007 7:16 AM PST to parent up   0 recs

ricciardi became GM in 2001 (2002 season)

we traded menechino to the blue jays in may 2004.

A's v Giants "is kind of like the difference between going to see the Ramones and going to see the Bee Gees. A's fans will go see the Ramones." -BB 07/27/05

by xbhaskarx on Nov 19, 2007 10:42 AM PST to parent up   0 recs

Thanks for the memories, scooter

You were one of my favorite A's players.

Good luck with the Jays and wherever you go.

by Concord Fanz Dad on Nov 18, 2007 5:02 PM PST   0 recs

My favorite Scoot memory was from an Angels game
I forget the circumstances, but It was a pretty important game, with the A's close to clinching the west, I believe.

Scutaro came up in the 9th, and Sciosia pulled an outfielder in to play the infield. Of course, Scoot dropped a bomb that went all the way to the fence, getting a walk off double to end the game.

by RenoTy on Nov 18, 2007 5:49 PM PST   0 recs

Yeah, that one might've been my favorite too.

It was a walk-off in the bottom of the 12th I think, extra innings, last season (2006) when they were close to clinching the division. That didn't clinch it, but it made it highly improbable that the Angels would have anything to say about it.
And yeah, it was high drama because he hit it off of K-Rod and Scioscia pulled the OFer in just like you remembered.

by still bills kingdom on Nov 18, 2007 10:51 PM PST to parent up   0 recs

Say it ain't so Billy!

Why, Why, Why!  I knew this day was coming but it still doesn't hide the pain.
Honestly I'll miss Scutaro more than Zito.  He WAS Mr. Clutch.  I'll be sure to add the 1st blue jays game to my season ticket package.  Sniff, sniff.  What a sad day.

by Mr C on Nov 18, 2007 6:51 PM PST   0 recs