Should Travis Buck make the team?

by jubjub on Mar 20, 2007 7:48 AM PDT Comment 54 comments

With Buck tearing it up, should he make the team out of Spring Training? If so, should he be the starting RF?

It seems to be a three horse race between Buck, Johnson, and Durazo for the final spot in the starting lineup. Kielty may ultimately be the starting LF (a world I wish not to see), but I assume he will be out through the first few weeks of the season and at least not at full strength. Here's how the three candidates are faring:

Johnson is playing respectably with a decent average and 9 walks versus 7 strikeouts (.776 OPS) - not great, but not terrible.
Durazo has been hitting well, but one walk in 15 games is a frightening prospect for the former holy grail (.818 OPS).
Buck has been tearing it up with a high average and good doubles power and only 3 K's in 14 games (1.094 OPS).

So, should we give Buck a chance to prove himself now and give him the RF job (putting Swisher at 1B and Stewart in LF) and see what he does with it for the first month? If he struggles, do you send him back to the minors? For those that have seen the games, how is his defensive range? How does it compare to Swisher? With Kotsay out, I figure we want some more range in RF to help offset (I know the RF stats show Kotsay's range declining, but the boy seems to get to some impossible balls out there...).

If we send Buck down to the minors, do you put Johnson at 1B or do you ask Piazza to play 1B and Durazo to DH? Any other options?

For me, the critical issue on Buck is whether you think he could bounce back if he struggled initially. That seems to be the main test when considering whether to "rush" a prospect or not. The only way to measure that is to know the guy and see how responds to adversity. I don't really expect that Buck would be the starting RF all year, but would a "cup of coffee" in April hurt or help him?

I say give him a chance. He's our #1 OF prospect and he looks ready.

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Well,

Stewart will be the starting left fielder and Buck has done most of his damage against minor league pitchers. Look for Johnson to make the team unless Beane can trade him since he's out of options.Personally I would love to see Ruby be the starting 1st Baseman. I think his walks are down now because he's not going to walk his way on to the opening day roster.

by Ben25 on Mar 20, 2007 7:58 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

No, not with the team as configured

I stated in the offseason that I would be in favor of Buck making the team in 2007 if he was ready, because he has basically reached his ceiling, while I would not have Barton make the team out of Spring Training under any circumstances, because Barton still has more development ahead of him (defensive and power development).

After having seen Buck play this Spring, I think he is ready, but should not be on the team right now. My opinion is based on the theory that he would not be a starter, and he would be better off in AAA getting at bats. With Stewart signed, Buck's LF possibility has been taken away, and that's really his only option to play. Buck has a poor arm, and can't play anwhere but LF. Stewart also has a poor arm, and can't play anywhere but LF. If Stewart ends up injured at some point, I would be in favor of Buck taking over, because I believe he is our best LF option. For now, enjoy Sacramento!!

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

by BlameChannel53 on Mar 20, 2007 8:20 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

So Johnson at 1B?

Is that the plan? I basically agree with your analysis and I don't think he actually will make the team because Beane won't want to start his "arb clock", but I don't see Stewart/Johnson/Kielty as strong additions to the offense. Buck could provide a spark to an offense that will probably be pretty bad again (3rd year in a row or 4th?).

Signatures? We don't need no stinking signatures.

by jubjub on Mar 20, 2007 8:58 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

DJ will be the 1B

unless he's traded, but i don't see that happening.

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 Mar 20, 2007 9:07 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Either him or Durazo

Swisher has to play RF unless Kielty does it, because Bradley is in CF and Buck and Stewart don't have the arm for RF. With Swisher in the OF, Johnson or Durazo have to be the 1B. Kielty is a very strong addition against left-handed pitching, but should not be playing otherwise. I would assume that with health (big assumption on this team), Swisher will play 1B against left-handed pitching while Kielty takes over in RF. If Kotsay comes back in June/July, I would assume that Swisher would likely return to 1B if everyone is healthy and productive.

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

by BlameChannel53 on Mar 20, 2007 9:16 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Can Durazo play 1B?

I thought he was a disaster at anything other than DH.

Signatures? We don't need no stinking signatures.

by jubjub on Mar 20, 2007 9:24 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Honestly don't know

From what I've heard, the A's are seriously considering it. My guess is that Johnson will get first crack at 1B.

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

by BlameChannel53 on Mar 20, 2007 9:25 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

He's looked very serviiceable

at least in the games I saw.

I'm not a big wine guy... Where do you grow the BEER?

by str8tarrow on Mar 21, 2007 2:13 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Shannon Stewart

Why don't you see Shannon Stewart as a "strong addition to the offense"? Right now, he's tearing the cover off the ball ... Line Drives to all fields. If he stays healthy, (and from all indications, he is healthy), he'll hit close to .300/.350/.425 - Better numbers than Jay Payton last season, and he'll see more than 1.17 pitches per AB.

by Colorado Fan on Mar 20, 2007 9:19 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I was thinking the same thing ..

.. thanks C.F. you expressed my thoughts exactly ..

.. the Athletics may be small-market but they have BIG-heart! ..

by Randy Bell on Mar 20, 2007 9:20 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Still below average

I would be pretty pleased with .300/.350/.425 from Stewart, and it would be better than Payton. However, a .775 OPS from a LF is still below average. Given our other below average positions, it is hard for us to produce runs when we give up offense at offensive positions (1B and LF specifically).

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

by BlameChannel53 on Mar 20, 2007 9:24 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

.711 and .715 OPS last two seasons

I think he's a nice pickup for the money, but he's a quality super 4th OF, not a a hitter that generates a lot of offense to make up for his lousy defense. Wasn't really comparing him to Payton, but to the other starting LF's in the league.

Signatures? We don't need no stinking signatures.

by jubjub on Mar 20, 2007 9:28 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

but payton is awesome

he's a .300 hitter!

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 Mar 20, 2007 9:31 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

You are right

Of course you weren't comparing Stewart w/ Payton, but it is a good comparison - IMO.

And if Stewart's Plantar Fascitis (spelling?) acts up this season, he'll again put up .711 and .715 - But if he's healthy...it will be better than that - Closer to .750.

Shannon Stewart is a one year rental until T.Buck is ready next season. And, Buck will probably put up similar numbers to Shannon Stewart's 2007 - Probably not what other LF's produce in the league, but when have we ever had a LF or 1B produce like the rest of the league??? :)

by Colorado Fan on Mar 20, 2007 9:51 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

plantar fasciitis

Google:
http://www.google.com/search?q=plant...

.. the Athletics may be small-market but they have BIG-heart! ..

by Randy Bell on Mar 20, 2007 9:58 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I always thought

it meant you had Peanut Face, ie, you had a dent in the middle of your head like this guy:

Signatures? We don't need no stinking signatures.

by jubjub on Mar 20, 2007 10:42 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Only if he can play every day...

...and he can't yet.

Now we have 6 or 7 months to enjoy, to cheer, cry, and scream both in frustration and happiness. ~china bob

by baseballgirl on Mar 20, 2007 8:21 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

agreed...

but I could invision him getting the call up if milty, stewart, kots and Kielty are all unavaliable and then just never relinquishing his spot.

by CyZito on Mar 20, 2007 8:42 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Because of ability

or because the team is too crowded?

Signatures? We don't need no stinking signatures.

by jubjub on Mar 20, 2007 8:54 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Too Crowded

Currently:

LF - Stewart
CF - Bradley
RF - Swisher

I don't think Travis Buck has played any CF or RF this Spring. It doesn't sound like it will be an alternative even if Swisher moves back to 1B.

It sounds like Travis Buck is a Left Fielder (only).

by Colorado Fan on Mar 20, 2007 9:23 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yes

That is one of the reasons that Buck is consistently rated as the 45-75 range on top prospect lists. Everyone thinks he can hit, but he is limited to LF, which is the second best offensive position in baseball. If Buck had more defensive value, he would be a top 20 prospect.

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

by BlameChannel53 on Mar 20, 2007 9:29 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Buck in RF at least the last two games

Maybe more

Signatures? We don't need no stinking signatures.

by jubjub on Mar 20, 2007 9:30 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Thanks

I hadn't checked

by Colorado Fan on Mar 20, 2007 9:53 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

And he was playing right field in A-ball.

They could have put him anywhere, but that was where he wanted to be.

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

by Ozzz on Mar 20, 2007 8:12 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yep, that's the problem.

Buck is your starting left fielder if Stewart gets hurt; otherwise, I get to see lots of him in Sacramento.

I DO think, however, that we're going to see a trade of some kind before spring training is out. The A's have a surplus of all-hit, no-field first basemen and relievers that could be parlayed into a better fifth starter.

"Look its either batman or batman and robin not robin w/o batman robin isn't sh@#."--cchefz71

by jeepers on Mar 20, 2007 9:21 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

i hope not

if the problem with kennedy is his performance in spring training, i don't see how bringing in bk kim (14 runs in 13 innings) would be much of an improvement.

also, do we have a surplus of first basemen?
if we trade either DJ or durazo and the other starts to suck in a month (and given the recent history for both, don't bet against it), our only other option is barton.
i think that's why DJ makes the team, with durazo replacing him in a month or two if he stinks.

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 Mar 20, 2007 9:28 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I think DJ will make the team too ..

.. the Athletics may be small-market but they have BIG-heart! ..

by Randy Bell on Mar 20, 2007 9:34 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I would say the other 1B option would be Swisher

not Barton -- with Buck called up, or Kielty taking more ABs or Kotsay back off the DL.

by AsFanInLA on Mar 20, 2007 11:43 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Swisher and Barton.

Those are the two other guys of which I am thinking--we have four guys who can start at 1B.

I don't think BK Kim is the answer, but I wouldn't mind seeing the A's target a guy like Charlie Haeger, or perhaps Yusmeiro Petit. It's not that I think Kennedy is so bad--it's that I think we need more possibilities for the 5th starter job, because nobody's performing well enough to grab it.

"Look its either batman or batman and robin not robin w/o batman robin isn't sh@#."--cchefz71

by jeepers on Mar 21, 2007 9:06 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Similar to Texas' Problem ..

It's not that I think Kennedy is so bad--it's that I think we need more possibilities for the 5th starter job, because nobody's performing well enough to grab it.

That is sort of the way Texas has handled their 5th-starter question in ST:

Three Rangers in race for No. 5 starter

.. the Athletics may be small-market but they have BIG-heart! ..

by Randy Bell on Mar 21, 2007 9:59 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Very Good Point ..

I DO think, however, that we're going to see a trade of some kind before spring training is out. The A's have a surplus of all-hit, no-field first basemen and relievers that could be parlayed into a better fifth starter.

I'm usually nervous about "trade talk" because you never know for sure what you're giving up or what you're getting in return. I mean, in terms of this (2007) year's performance, you don't know, -- in any trade you are making a move based on projection and expectation of future performance.

However Joe Kennedy has made us all so nervous {well I will speak for myself, he has made me as a fan very nervous} -- it might be a good idea to go shopping for a fifth starter. At least somebody you think can pitch .500 ball or close to it, i.e. give the team a chance to win when they go out on the mound ..

.. it is just psychologically devastating when/if a pitcher performs so poorly that the team doesn't feel they have any chance when he is on the mound .. much like if two or three automatic outs are in the offense / lineup .. it has a very bad effect on a team because the starting pitcher so seriously affects the complexion and outcome of the game ..

Making a trade to get another good, promising option as fifth starter is something I'm in favor of if it can be done without hurting or weakening the A's in other areas ..

.. the Athletics may be small-market but they have BIG-heart! ..

by Randy Bell on Mar 20, 2007 9:31 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Not likely

This is time of year where 20-25 teams are actively looking for another starter, and the rest of the teams are looking to hold on to what they've got. If we were to acquire another starter it would be somebody no one else really wants but we have some scouting reason to think we're smarter than everyone else. Any decently established starter, or young and promising starter is going to come at a high price like Street, Duke, or Buck/Barton. For better or worse, Kennedy is what we have unless the A's want to go get another guy like BK Kim.

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

by BlameChannel53 on Mar 20, 2007 9:46 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I Guess that's the Problem of Waiting so Late ..

.. similar to the problem the RedSox have with their closer .. maybe they waited too late to look for one.

We're not privy to Beane's thinking but from the little I've read it sounded like he just assumed Kennedy would be up to the task. If so, I hope he is proven right. :)

.. the Athletics may be small-market but they have BIG-heart! ..

by Randy Bell on Mar 20, 2007 9:55 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

If by nervous

you mean physically ill to my stomach every 5th day, then yes, I concur.

Bring back Hammer.

by OaktownPower on Mar 20, 2007 10:41 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Just heard the A's are showing interest

in Kim in Colorado as a 5th starter. I think the A's will make a trade and I suspect DJ is part of it. As a team the A's are so much better off with Swisher at 1st than a gamble of DJ or Durazo.

by china bob on Mar 20, 2007 10:56 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Wasn't Byrnes traded to Colorado?

Was that when we got Joe Kennedy?

.. the Athletics may be small-market but they have BIG-heart! ..

by Randy Bell on Mar 20, 2007 11:02 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yes

Byrnes and Omar Q for Joe and Witasick

Bring back Hammer.

by OaktownPower on Mar 20, 2007 11:12 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Who plays right?

Stewart is not a RF, terrible arm and below average instincts/range. Every scouting report on Buck I have seen since high school has said he can't play RF. Swisher pretty much has to play right until Kotsay is back. Of course, this is the organization that fielded a Giambi-Mashore-Stairs OF, so I guess anything is possible. Kielty can play right, but can't hit left-handed.

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

by BlameChannel53 on Mar 20, 2007 11:11 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

what is Durazo's status

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

by batgirl on Mar 20, 2007 12:56 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

ok, what the heck was that?

after going through weeks of this preview/post nonsense, I manage to hit some combination of keys that automatically posted with no preview? Has anyone else stumbled on this key combination? I've no clue what it was, but I'd like to figure it out.

Anyhoo...what is Durazo's status if DJ starts the season at 1B? Would he have to accept being sent down to the minors, or would he automatically have the right to shop his services to another team?

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

by batgirl on Mar 20, 2007 12:59 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

he's signed to a minor league

deal and was invited to big league camp this spring. good point earlier about not being here to walk.

"We're Menudo," -BB

by eshock on Mar 20, 2007 4:01 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Durazo

My understanding is that Durazo is able to shop his services around the league before accepting a minor league deal w/ the A's.

He might actually get a look somewhere - Probably somewhere like Texas...backup to Texeira + DH (if Sammy doesn't break their squad out of camp).

by Colorado Fan on Mar 20, 2007 4:03 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Looks like Sammy is going to Texas

with the club, that is. But the next couple weeks will decide for sure.

Insert new, original, thought provoking sig line (...HERE...)

by grover on Mar 20, 2007 10:36 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I saw an article somewhere

with the headline, "Sosa makes the team." I think it's a done deal.

"Look its either batman or batman and robin not robin w/o batman robin isn't sh@#."--cchefz71

by jeepers on Mar 21, 2007 9:07 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

There's no rush on Buck.

Let him rip it up in Triple A a little while.

If the A's are struggling for wins or have an injury crisis, he'll be called on, but bringing him up now (especially when you have to find a place for Goleski, assuming you want to) would just be rushing things.

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

by Ozzz on Mar 20, 2007 8:17 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

No point in starting the service clock now

Given that he looks like he'll be a good ML player someday, it would be nice to make sure his cheapest years are all productive. AAA is a fine place for him to play for a little while.

by MrIncognito on Mar 21, 2007 6:00 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

This point is exactly right...

What's the marginal benefit to bringing up Buck now? Maybe he starts occasionally over Stewart or he stars and Swisher moves to 1B. Then Kots comes back and the experiment is over. In an absolute best case scenario, that's worth maybe 1 win. Most likely scenario, it makes no difference. And for that, we give up a full year of arbitration by making him super 2 eligable?

Makes no sense... ergo, won't ever happen.

by shmik on Mar 21, 2007 8:32 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Service Clock

We might start his service clock now, but if he doesn't preform, he goes back to the minors and it only costs you a month or so. The service clock issue is generally overrated since you can't tell which players will develop and which won't. You have to balance the fact that bringing up a younger player makes their prime years slightly more expensive versus the fact that they could contribute now at a very cheap price (versus veterans).

In the end, it seems unam that Buck shouldn't and won't make the team. When the offense sputters in May (as usual), I hope he gets a chance.

Signatures? We don't need no stinking signatures.

by jubjub on Mar 21, 2007 12:33 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

sortof

Service time tends to add up very quickly. It may only cost you a month, but when you consider that the cutoff for super-two status is usually around 130 days, a month starts looking like a much bigger chunk of time. Plus, if we end up needing him on the roster, starting him in AAA to ensure he only has a partial season of playing time gives the As control for a full extra year, and that's a big deal.

by MrIncognito on Mar 21, 2007 4:41 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Buck

Will be better than whoever will be taking his spot in the lineup. That being said, Johnson and Stewart are close enough to Buck that it wouldn't make sense to waste a year of arby for an extra eighty at-bats from Buck, but I can't imagine why he would still be in Sacramento in June. The scouts and the stats agree: he's ready.

by Nick86 on Mar 21, 2007 5:29 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Piazza

I agree with everyone that Buck shouldn't make the team unless he's going to start, and that isn't going to happen unless we lose another of Bradley, Swisher, Stewart, which no one is wishing for.

No one mentioned your question about Piazza. I say he does not play 1B under any circumstances. That means 1B is Dan Johnson unless Ruby outhits him by enough of a margin that we're willing to tolerate his inferior defense at 1B.

By the way, why is everyone saying "BK Kim"? Isn't his name "Byung-Hyun"? So what's the other K?

"...but we're also always open to hearing about other sandwiches if it can make our lunch better." -- Nico, channeling Billy Beane

by iglew on Mar 21, 2007 8:08 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

BK

You're right- his name is Byung-Hyun, and BK is just Byung-Hyun Kim. Thus, "BK Kim" doesn't really make sense.

by BerkeleyDawg on Mar 22, 2007 5:48 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

DJ

I think that DJ will spend some time in Oakland in hopes that he has a good few weeks or a month so his trade value goes up. The way that Geren and Beane have been talking him up can only be for inquisitive outside ears, because everything about him screams AAAA to the rest of us. Then again, this is his 27 year, so who knows?

I hope y'all are right about Ruby's negligible BB's- if he could finally get anywhere close to the form he gave us so many glimpses of....

by BerkeleyDawg on Mar 22, 2007 5:54 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Ruby

Will Ruby go down to the minors if he doesn't make the team in April? What will happen to him? I am thinking it would be nice to keep him around in case of injuries or if DJ doesn't cut it. ;-)

.. the Athletics may be small-market but they have BIG-heart! ..

by Randy Bell on Mar 22, 2007 5:57 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs