Open Thread: Game 42 - A's vs. Giants

When Kendall's and Piazza's contracts are up at the end of the year, that means that $16 million gets freed up.        What would you do with that money?

1.  Pay Milton?

2.  Re-sign MaEl to a better deal or pick up the option?

3.  Re-sign JoKe?

4.  Give any of the following players better deals:  Kielty, Kiko, Marco, Witasick, Duke, Stewart, Melhuse, Snelling, Gaudin, DJ, Big Jack, Kentucky Joe, Travis Buck?

5.  Re-sign Kendall and Piazza to lower paying deals?

I would:

re-sign MaEl, Gaudin, DJ, Kentucky Joe to long-term deals as a reward (assuming they don't just totally go a$$ up for the rest of the year); give Marco, Kiko, Milton, Duke, Cust, Stewart, Melhuse, Snelling 1 year deals; let everyone else go or keep their present contracts.    

Thoughts?

chops off his hair for locks for love.

what a guy.

I think it's safe to say Jack Cust will get a new deal from the A's at the end of the year.  Who needs right handed power when you've got copious amounts of left-handed power?

Is Cust considered a 1st year or 2nd year player now? What will he be considered at the end of the year for contract purposes (i.e., When is he arbitration-eligible?)

for the classic gameday.
i saw the link for it earlier in thread, but i want to know where i can find this for future references.

any help?

for so long.  There is nothing that I have seen so far that justifies him sitting in the minors for as long as he has.  He has not only showed a great eye, he's also got great power, he isn't afraid to single, and he isn't afraid to take a walk.  Boy the Padres certainly wouldn't mind having him back.  But too bad baby, he's an A!

I think Kendall's wife hits it farther than him...

DH for Kendall and let Danny hit.

#15 this year when hes been #24 all his career?

is he trying to do a kobe?

if there were any justice in the world, some coaches and managers should be looking for jobs right about now.  If I owned the Pads, I would seriously consider firing everybody in the front office.

called strike three?

if Cust is still performing at such a high level when Piazza is due back, would the A's consider playing him at catcher and let Kendall ride the pine?

stupid thing refuses to connect to the game....it just keeps saying "connecting..."  then after like a minute it says "stopped"  

what am I doing wrong?

has had 2 quick innings after throwing 55 pitches in the first 2. What happened to making the SP work?

SHOCKINGLY grounds out.  It would have been a GIDP, except there was already 2 outs.  

Good interview with Chad - very likable fellow.  Haren's dealin'!

or I could really get to enjoy the pain killer meds I'm on.

score again.  I hate this one innning garbage.  It's ok as long as the first inning runs hold up to win the game....Sometimes it seems like our guys are in a hurry to get back out on the field so they can end the game while they still have the lead.

So awesome. Harowned.

lets get some runs here.

Cust has got to look for the breaking ball over
the plate this AB.

And now I have an ominous feeling...

wrong call on the inside fastball to Molina, then couldnt block the strikeout pitch in the dirt and just doesnt have the confidence to throw runners out.

and the bullpen will have to hold it for the next 2 innings.

can we have some more offense, please???

now Kendall please, please dont GIDP.

that was kind of like a bunt...

So dialed in he forgot the count!

bases loaded for Chavvy. lets go a's!!!

I wonder what's gonna happen....

I just hope he doesn't GIDP, I'd prefer a strikeout.

but please, don't GIDP

strides to the plate....

i dont like the Embree vs Bonds matchup in the 9th

because I'm almost positive that whether it's Calero/Embree/whomever else sucks from our bullpen, the giants are going to score in the 9th

lets make 'em pay for walking Cust.

Now dammit....man on third and no outs with Chavez a long way off in the order....come A's...do your damn jobs.

consistently coming through!  Another reason Chavvy needs to be dropped to 7th in the lineup

Cust started the night with a .481 on base percentage. With 2 walks and a home run in 4 plate appearances tonight I imagine he's over .500. I think both he and D.J. would be 1 and 2 in the league in OBP if they had enough plate appearances to qualify.

lets go a's! bases loaded nobody out.

so they can pitch to the guy who hit a GS off them last night?  Much respect to Buck...but if were Ellis I would be pissed...and determined to make them pay.  Do it Ellie...do it.