Wednesday Potpourri and Spring Training Tickets
by baseballgirl on Dec 19, 2007 1:11 AM PST
in News
54 comments
So, feel free to talk about Danny Haren and how much you will miss him here.
We can also discuss the merits of our new Athletics. From Baseball Prospectus:
But let's talk about the big four briefly [...]You could argue with me that Gonzalez should be the number one guy, and I probably wouldn't put up much of a fight. His tools are outstanding, his performances merely good, and his effort highly questionable. Still, there is tremendous upside here, including the possibility of a Hanley Ramirez-like "OK, I'm in the majors, now I'll be good" type of breakout.
[...]
Anderson instantly becomes the best pitching prospect in the system. He'll likely begin the year at High-A Stockton. Joining him at Stockton will be Carter, who already received the full treatment: he ranked as the top position player in the White Sox system.
Cunningham is another three-star talent, and while he's a little closer to the big leagues, likely beginning the year at Double-A Midland, scouts are mixed on him.
[...]
While the package of players Oakland received doesn't lead off with the star power of a Jacoby Ellsbury, Philip Hughes, or Jon Lester, as an overall sum of talent, it matches up well with the offers the Minnesota was rumored to be getting for Johan Santana during the winter meetings. But those are rumors, this is reality, and the rebuilding process has not only begun in Oakland, but it's gotten off on the right foot.
Or we could talk about all of our feelings and emotions seeing players we know well on the field admit one by one to at least a day of steroid use. We can also use this time to discuss how steroids inadvertently saved baseball in 1998, and whether we would gladly accept all of this scandal in exchange for keeping baseball alive after the strike.
Or we can discuss Spring Training again. Tickets went on sale on Monday morning, and are available here.
I think it’s going to be March 7th-9th for me this year. If you have tickets and plans, and feel inclined to share, please do so. Hotel recommendations, local hot spots, and other tips and tricks are always appreciated by the AN community.
I am excited this year more than any in a while, because I look forward to a few races for roster spots.
So...any guesses on our starting lineup?
0 recs |
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The more we move away from that dark day
The more I can focus on being excited about talents like Gonzalez and less on being disappointed about not having Haren anymore. I'm excited that for once we have a guy who, while not having a performance record that matches up just yet, has the kind of upside that could make him a legitimate top 15 or so hitter in baseball.
And after-the-fact steroid rumors and revelations will never, ever ruin the summer of '98 for me. At 10 years old, I truly fell in love with baseball. It was a beautiful, exciting thing to watch and follow, and quite frankly I don't really care in what ways it may have been artificially enhanced.
by walk off bunt on Dec 19, 2007 1:14 AM PST reply actions 0 recs
10 years old in '98
Wow.
Way to stick that knife in my gut. I often forget that there are people under 25 years of age on the internet.
The thing I loved about 1998, is that McGwire was getting questions about breaking the home run record during Spring Training.
by jakarta on Dec 19, 2007 11:17 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Starting lineup (and bench) guess
LF Buck
1B Barton
RF Swisher
DH Bonds
3B Chavez
2B Ellis
CF Kotsay (Gonzalez in Aug)
SS Crosby (Murphy after injury)
C Suzuki
C Bowen
IF Hannahan
OF Denorfia
OF Cust
P1 Blanton
P2 Harden (Eveland after injury)
P3 Gaudin
P4 Duchscherer (DiNardo after injury)
P5 Meyer (Braden after suckiness)
RP Street
RP Embree
RHP Calero
LHP DiNardo (Blevins after Duke injury)
RHP Brown
RHP Casilla
RHP Hernandez
by WaddellCanseco on Dec 19, 2007 1:15 AM PST reply actions 0 recs
Bonds unlikely to be signed so Cust DH?
From http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?...
Stocking stuffers: Speaking of Bonds, the fact that the A's traded Dan Haren to the Diamondbacks for six prospects could be the death knell of his chances of signing with Oakland. Though A's general manager Billy Beane wouldn't talk directly about the topic, he told the San Jose Mercury-News to read the tea leaves. "I never talk about free agents, but I'll say this: You can draw your own conclusions based on where we're going. I don't think you'd be wrong if you did that." ...
by pyrfan on Dec 19, 2007 5:47 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
You can stick a Milo fork in Bonds' perforated
backside.
by The Dogfather on Dec 19, 2007 7:35 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
There are issues with this
because of options.
Specifically, Murphy, Eveland and DJ are out of them. I think DJ will probably get traded and Murphy will fill Bonds' roster slot (not likely to be signed at this point). Eveland will take over when one of the starters is inevitably injured.
by PaulThomas on Dec 19, 2007 9:51 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
I think part of the rebuild will be very ...
... aggressive call-ups of those who impress below, or in ST, regardless of seasoning. The successes of Buck and Barton so far (and Blevins? -- stay tuned) may have suggested to BB that the Minors aren't as necessary as The Conventional Wisdom posits.
And we all know that Billy loves to poke holes in TCW.
I realize that idea runs at cross-purposes with the "contract control" argument, but only if they don't succeed. Is anybody unhappy they gave TBuck his shot last year?
by The Dogfather on Dec 19, 2007 7:32 AM PST reply actions 0 recs
Even if they succeed
any service time used next year is wasted. I'd be happier now if Buck still had all his time.
by mikeA on Dec 19, 2007 9:53 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
I thought you were on the ...
... "it's unnecessarily antagonistic and unethical to delay the start of service time" team.
by monkeyball on Dec 19, 2007 10:55 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
I am on that team. I'm glad Buck was in the bigs
last year.
by WaddellCanseco on Dec 19, 2007 7:08 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
What if it meant we could contend a year sooner?
by The Dogfather on Dec 19, 2007 4:28 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
the rebuild, both at the MLB and MiLB
levels, is necessary. I understand that.
But as a season ticket holder (and no, I won't return my tickets) I must admit the possibility of watching a non-competitive team for the next few years doesn't excite me.
As for the steroids issue?
We can also use this time to discuss how steroids inadvertently saved baseball in 1998, and whether we would gladly accept all of this scandal in exchange for keeping baseball alive after the strike.
I don't think there was anything inadvertent about it.
by OaklandSi on Dec 19, 2007 8:30 AM PST reply actions 0 recs
Steroids and 1998
We can also use this time to discuss how steroids inadvertently saved baseball in 1998, and whether we would gladly accept all of this scandal in exchange for keeping baseball alive after the strike.
Both the 1994 crisis itself and the steroid "save" were the result of Selig and the owners' utter mismanagement of the game. The labor situation should have never have been allowed to deteriorate to the point that half a season had to be canceled.
And I'm not at all convinced that baseball's steroid boost was inadvertent. We'll probably never know for sure. But I think it's entirely possible that Selig actively looked the other way to encourage exactly the kind of power boost that occurred (lord knows it wouldn't have been the stupidest idea he ever had for the resurrection of the game).
But just as Barry Bonds didn't need steroids to be a Hall of Famer, baseball didn't need 1998 to revive its fortunes. The revival would have been slower, but it would have been steadier. And the game itself would be in better shape today if MLB had clamped down on steroids immediately upon banning them in 1991. Like steroids themselves, 1998 and the steroids era may well, in the long run, cause more harm than good to baseball.
That was cathartic! As down as I can get about losing Haren, it ain't nothing compared to what thinking about Bud Selig does to me!
by GreenNGoldSooner on Dec 19, 2007 9:18 AM PST reply actions 0 recs
great metaphor
I really love this paragraph (so much that I'm going to repeat it):
But just as Barry Bonds didn't need steroids to be a Hall of Famer, baseball didn't need 1998 to revive its fortunes. The revival would have been slower, but it would have been steadier. And the game itself would be in better shape today if MLB had clamped down on steroids immediately upon banning them in 1991. Like steroids themselves, 1998 and the steroids era may well, in the long run, cause more harm than good to baseball.
Awesome.
by iglew on Dec 19, 2007 9:59 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
What Did beane Know and When Did He Know It?
BB was on the A's roster in 1989 in addition Dykstra, one of his closest friends during his playing days is named in the Mitchell report. It appears likely to me that he observed a code of silence. He did not want to accuse players, however, when the opportunity presented itself to part ways with users he took advantage of free agency (JaGiambi, Tejada) or other transgressions (JeGiambi). Sabean alluded to the same code when he tried to rationalize not heeding Conte's warnings. Beane's mentor as GM was Alderson. Was the 1992 trade of Canseco motivated more by steroid use than the reasons alleged at the time of the trade?
by NoeValley on Dec 19, 2007 1:56 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Alderson
From the Mitchell Report (pp. 62-63)
Soon after Boswell's remarks, the Oakland Athletics began the American League Championship Series against the Boston Red Sox in Fenway Park. Canseco was met with loud chants deriding him for his alleged steroid use, prompting Canseco to flex his biceps and tip his cap to the Fenway fans for "their originality." A spokesman for the Commissioner's Office said that baseball would not investigate Canseco's possible steroid use because baseball had "no information about his usage or the usage of any other player in the major leagues."
Sandy Alderson, Oakland's general manager at the time, remembered the chanting, but in our interview he said that he did not then believe that Canseco had used steroids. Later, as one of the most senior executives in Major League Baseball, Alderson came to believe that baseball had a problem with steroid use, but he did not come to that conclusion until sometime after the 1998 articles appeared about McGwire's use of androstenedione. In congressional testimony in 2005, Alderson said that during the 1990s, other factors "obscured a steroid problem":
Home runs and run production were increasing during the time but not always year to year. At the same time, strength programs were in vogue across baseball. Hitter-friendly ballparks were being built. Expansion had occurred in 1993 and again in 1998. Two seasons, '94 and '95, had been shortened by a players' strike. Bat design had changed and there was an emphasis with many clubs on having more offensive players even at traditionally defensive positions.
by iglew on Dec 19, 2007 2:38 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
He is the lawyer I would want
If I was a defendant I would welcome Alderson as my defense attorney.McGwire should have consulted with him before testifying before congress.
Last night I caught a portion of Barbieri's KNBR show. Ted Robinson was filling in for Tolbert (digression: I wish Robinson was the regular host instead the razor & mr.t) and he said that when he was the Twins announcer in the late '80's/early '90's a Twins player identified Canseco as a juicer.
by NoeValley on Dec 19, 2007 3:13 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
So, in a roundabout way...
...the "steroid era", and resulting bad stuff that goes along with it, is actually the player's fault. After all, they were banned early on, but it was the player's union, who represents the best interests of the players ya know, that thwarted those efforts for so long.
by UncleLeo on Dec 19, 2007 4:03 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
There is Enough Blame to Share
In the interest of full disclosure I take the players and the union's side in any dispute with the baseball management. The owners and GMs either knew what was going on or should have been suspicious. The liked the outcome and they looked the other way. They could have taken their case to the fans and but that would have affected the bottom line.
I recommend reading Howard Bryant's "Juicing The Game."
by NoeValley on Dec 19, 2007 4:48 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
So Who Ultimately Replaces Haren?
I look at our rotation and am not impressed. Harden can't be counted on. Blanton has earned a "No Confidence" vote from Beane. Gaudin is having surgery that we assume will improve his durability and decrease his pain but there's no guarantee. Duke is a little frail and his injury history may limit his innings pitched...and the #5 is someone that hasn't established much of anything if they indeed come up from our farm system.
Call me cynical or maybe a little "Scroogey" prior to my nightmare dream that I'll have to deal with. But will this rotation bring my any Christmas cheer?...Bah, humbug!
by Gerard on Dec 19, 2007 9:20 AM PST reply actions 0 recs
Blanton has not
received a "no confidence" vote from Beane.
Being interested in trading a player does not equal thinking he's no good.
by iglew on Dec 19, 2007 10:02 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
I just find it interesting that
... he has never been mentioned regarding being locked up through his arby years. The question is why not? What has he done to deserve not being locked up like so many others? This is where I think other GMs don't value him as much either b/c Beane hasn't treated him like other players that have contributed to the A's within their first 3 years of playing time.
His numbers have been mediocre at times through each season, but then he has also pitched brilliantly. So other GMs I assume think he's either mediocre or just lucky with regards to his win totals. Still, something held Beane back and I suspect it's the perception of which Blanton will he see. Unfair it may seem but we can only look at what Beane hasn't done to draw this conclusion.
by Gerard on Dec 19, 2007 10:14 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Yes, I also have found that interesting.
Like you I have been puzzled that BB has never treated Blanton in the same way he has Swisher, Crosby, Haren etc. Clearly there is something in Blanton that BB doesn't feel comfortable with making him a long term Athletic. I suspect he doesn't feel Blanton will ever be anything more than he is now, a solid #3, or 4 starter. I guess he feels he can always get that kind of pitcher although I am not so sure.
by china bob on Dec 19, 2007 10:45 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
It takes two to tango
and my understanding of it is that Blanton thinks he'll get more money through arbitration-- which, if he stays healthy (and he's very durable, so he probably will) is quite likely to be correct.
by PaulThomas on Dec 19, 2007 10:48 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
If Beane feels a player is taking...
...advatage of him, he'll send his "fat ass" out pretty quickly. You may be right about Blanton, I just don't remember reading anything about him wanting to cash in. It's surprising in some respects as he hasn't been an overwhelmingly dominant player strong enough to call his own shots.
by Gerard on Dec 19, 2007 11:49 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
I don't see how it's "taking advantage"
It's normal practice for many players, and probably depends a lot on who their agent is. Is K-Rod "taking advantage" of LA? Is Miguel Cabrera "taking advantage" of Detroit?
Any GM who reflexively shipped out anybody who wouldn't agree to arb-buyout deals would find himself with a talent-free roster PDQ.
by PaulThomas on Dec 19, 2007 12:06 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
No one replaces Haren
That's why 2008 (2009? 2010?) is a rebuilding year. If someone was available to replace Haren, then they would have traded Haren for a ML ready bat. Fact is, we're looking at a very fragile and very unproven starting rotation - Blanton the lone exception.
by boilerdan on Dec 19, 2007 1:07 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
With no Haren...
Bonds would attract a lot of people to the the ball park. I think it would still be a good move to bring Bonds in and who knows... We already have a culture of good pitching. With last years rotation we didn't know if it was going to be good with no Zito but it turned out to be one of the better rotations in baseball. Re-building DOES NOT mean mailing it in. I think not signing Bonds would be mailing it in....
and if I get real cynical, mailing it into MLS!
by asfan777 on Dec 19, 2007 9:35 AM PST reply actions 0 recs
Oh and the lineup....?
I wouldnt miss a game with
1.Buck
2.Barton
3.Swisher
4.Bonds
5.Chavvy
6.Gonzales
by asfan777 on Dec 19, 2007 9:38 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Speaking of Spring Training
I have some further information on the Japan schedule:
Saturday, March 22
Red Sox vs. Hanshin Tigers - Day
Athletics vs. Yomiuri Giants - Night
Sunday, March 23
Athletics vs. Hanshin Tigers - Day
Red Sox vs. Yomiuri Giants - Night
Tuesday, March 25
Red Sox vs. Athletics - Night
Wednesday, March 26
Red Sox vs. Athletics - Night
I got this from someone who leads baseball tours to Japan and is organizing a trip for people who want to go. I'm not 100% sure that I'm going, and if I am I'm not 100% sure that I will do it this way rather than buy the tickets on my own as a season ticket holder, but I'm leaning toward the tour.
by Englishmajor on Dec 19, 2007 11:54 AM PST reply actions 0 recs
A's go night-day
Didn't see that coming.
by sprtsnwyn on Dec 19, 2007 1:09 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
They're exhibitions
so it doesn't really matter... the starting lineups will probably be pretty different as well.
So for anyone who knows this: Are the two games against Boston "September games"? I.e. is the entire 40-man roster available?
by PaulThomas on Dec 19, 2007 1:20 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
I think they are trying to decide that.
by baseballgirl on Dec 19, 2007 1:31 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
'cause I sure as hell...
...would leave anyone with a cranky back here instead of that round-trip flight.
by baseballgirl on Dec 19, 2007 1:32 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Checking the news archives from 2004...
the Devil Rays-Yankees series in Tokyo was played with 25-man rosters. The teams also played exhibitions vs. Japanese teams. According to the Rays' site, they took 7 minor league players along on the trip for a total of 32 players in the traveling party.
by Soaker on Dec 19, 2007 1:32 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
The correct time difference
between Tokyo and Oakland at that time of year (accounting for Daylight Saving Time) is 16 hours (Tokyo = GMT+9, Oakland = GMT-7).
So using hypothetical local starting times in Tokyo of 7 p.m. for night games and 1 p.m. for day games, the schedule converts to Oakland time as follows:
Sat. 3/22 at 3 a.m.: A's vs. Yomiuri Giants
Sat. 3/22 at 9 p.m.: A's vs. Hanshin Tigers
Tue. 3/25 at 3 a.m.: Red Sox vs. A's
Wed. 3/26 at 3 a.m.: Red Sox vs. A's
by Soaker on Dec 19, 2007 1:52 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
LOL
Sat. 3/22 at 3 a.m.: A's vs. Yomiuri Giants
Sat. 3/22 at 9 p.m.: A's vs. Hanshin Tigers
That's got to be the most unusual doubleheader I've ever seen...
by PaulThomas on Dec 19, 2007 2:05 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Talk about a "day-night doubleheader"!
by Nico on Dec 19, 2007 8:51 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Tickets
I checked some sites and it doesnt look like tickets are on sale yet. I might go as well to this.
by apilgrim on Dec 20, 2007 12:55 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Additional information
Looks like the most expensive seats are about $50-$55 each. Quite a bargain if the normal prices are used.
Here is a link to the pricing.
http://www.tokyo-dome.co.jp/dome/gia...
Just take those yen numbers and divide them by 10 to get an approximation of the cost.
by apilgrim on Dec 20, 2007 1:01 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
I'm trying to figure out how to go
But $2800 for two roundtrip tickets is a lot of money to watch a couple of baseball games.
by jubjub on Dec 20, 2007 10:52 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
No DLD today
So...
Anticipated Lookout Landing Thread-Gasm
(Note to LL people: we love you. Really. But we also kind of feel sorry for you.)
by PaulThomas on Dec 19, 2007 5:25 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
Replacing Jeff Weaver.
That's not bad for the M's. For the pocketbook however...
by WaddellCanseco on Dec 19, 2007 7:11 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
A's and Giants Video Game Challenge
The last few springs, Justin Duchscherer has hosted a charity event at Gordon Biersch in Tempe. It was a video game challenge - A's vs. Giants. We've attended the last two and had a great time. Does anyone know if this event will happen again this year and what day it'll be on? The last two years it's been on a Saturday night following an A's/Giants game in Phoenix. That would indicate 3/15 this year. I've searched the web and haven't found any information on it.
by Wolverine on Dec 19, 2007 7:41 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
I will miss Dan Haren on the team.
I remember at the fanfest held a few years back...he came and gave autographs to the people in line. He felt sorry for the long wait that the fans had to do ...that's what he told my daughter.
He was a source of pride for A's fans. Class on the field and off. I hope he kills the NL!
by IM4Oakgal on Dec 19, 2007 7:41 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
Could be worse
I am very sad to see Haren no longer in green and gold but as an AZ resident, this is the best possible trade scenario :) With Webb and Haren, the DBacks should have no trouble getting back to the playoffs and now I get to see Haren pitch more often on local broadcasts!
by hrmax on Dec 20, 2007 8:02 AM PST reply actions 0 recs
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