Jumping the Gun?
by Tyler Bleszinski on Jul 5, 2007 12:15 PM PDT
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PrintThose Damn Angels. No, not because they're holding a grip on first place. Their grip may, in fact, be slipping. The Mariners, that same Seattle team that is in town for a four-game series starting tonight, are only 3 1/2 games back. And unlike last season, the Mariners actually know how to beat the team in green and gold this year. They've currently 4-1 against the A's in 2007.
The Angels have slowed down to a crawl over their last few weeks. Why am I complaining that the Angels are losing? Well, simply because I think it might make the decision a little more difficult to start a bit of a youth movement in Oakland. I know, I know, the youth movement has already started with Travis Buck and Kurt Suzuki. And the A's always seem to be in some kind of minor youth movement any way. But over the season, the A's haven't decided to try throwing a guy like Shane Komine out to take someone like Joe Kennedy's spot. The answer was always, at least during spring training, Kennedy has the experience starting at the ML level. Yeah, that's fine, but he's basically had one good season over his career.
His ERA has gone up every month, pretty much reflecting what most of us thought at the beginning of the year. He also has allowed 43 walks and only struck out 38 this season. He is the type of guy who probably should be replaced in the rotation. But the A's don't have a lot of great options in the minors right now. They could've used Braden, but he seems to have adjusted (and quickly) to a nice role in the bullpen. Dan Meyer has been up and down quite a bit in his first full year back in baseball after a myriad of horrid injuries. Komine could very well be that option, but he wasn't exactly lighting it up at Triple-A.
The thing is Harden is supposedly coming back to start a game on Saturday. I'm not holding my breath that even if he does start that he's going to last. But if he somehow can get it going and be successful, the A's then have a pretty damn fine rotation, minus the fifth starter. DiNardo is probably better as a reliever and Kennedy might be as well. Perhaps it's time to see what the A's have in someone like Komine. Let him go out there and start a game or two.
And while we're at it, bring up Barton and give him a crack at being the DH or 1B for now while Piazza is still working his way back. Throw Cust in the outfield (GASP!) if you want to play DJ at DH.
I know eight games isn't insurmountable, especially the way the Angels have suddenly gone into the tank. The A's just haven't played well enough in recent games to make anyone think that they could come back from the deficit. I know, you're probably saying that I'm giving up too early. The thing is, I'm not really giving up. My thinking is that you don't have much to lose right now by seeing what you have in the youth. Billy Beane is always fond of saying that he's always building toward the future with keeping his sights set squarely on today. That's how I view a few small tweaks to the roster right now. Trade Kennedy. He isn't going to be here next year and some other pitching-starved club could probably use him. I'm not saying trade him to get anything in return, really. Just trade him to make the fifth spot in the rotation an audition of sorts for some of the young pitchers like Braden and Komine. You do run the risk of Harden hurting himself again, which is pretty much inevitable at this point, but it'd be good to figure out what you have. Maybe Harden can at last long enough to see Loaiza make his 2007 debut. And in the meantime, you find out if one of the young guys has what it takes to be a starter at the big league level. Then you sit in a very comfortable position with almost TOO many arms.
The A's probably wouldn't do something like this unless they fall 12 or maybe 15 games back. My feeling is, why wait? If you find out that Komine can be an adequate fifth starter, then you have a problem solved for 2008 already. AND he can help keep the A's in it right now.
Maybe this is just an overreaction to Kennedy's worst start ever, but I don't think so. Kennedy's stats have been pointing to a meltdown for a while now. I'd like to see what one of the younger pitchers can do. The pitchers who actually have a future in green and gold. I'd like to see what the kid at Triple-A can do who hit .500 in June can do against ML pitching.
Am I jumping the gun on this? Probably. Fans have been known to do that from time to time. Me included. I just want something that's going to excite me a little more than a guy pitching for a big contract at the end of the year. The Cust and Buck stories have been the best things that have come out of 2007 so far, in my opinion. And I'm hungry to see more of that. I honestly wouldn't even care so much about the standings if the A's were to call Barton up and he was to succeed. And Suzuki plays more and succeeds. And the A's find out that Braden or Komine or Meyer has the stuff to be a big league starter. Because that would mean that the team could continue to compete this season while setting themselves up perfectly for 2008.
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agreed on trading Kennedy
Too bad we didn't do it a month ago, but better late than never. He won't be worth much, but maybe get a little something.
the a's could do something like in "Peanuts"
and trade joe kennedy for a box of pizza.
by greenandgoldpolarbear on Jul 5, 2007 1:47 PM PDT up reply actions
I wouldn't give the job to Komine
Or how about trading Kennedy for a pitching prospect? Would St. Louis trade Reyes, whom has had no success with the big club thus far this year, but has awesome minor league stats?
I don't think you could get much for Kennedy
My point is that just to get rid of him would be a good idea to create a spot for some other youngster.
by Tyler Bleszinski on Jul 5, 2007 12:20 PM PDT up reply actions
the problem is that we don't really have
a good, young pitcher thats comming up in the minors, outside of the two I mentioned. Madsen's in AA and Meyer has struggled in AAA.
Too bad the A's let Witasick go
Otherwise, the A's could package Witasick and Kennedy together, in exchange for that outfielder Eric Burns (Birns?, Barnes? ..) Byrnes.
Ya think Arizona would go for that one????
by One won lost won on Jul 5, 2007 1:50 PM PDT up reply actions
the conventional wisdom is that
ramping up the youth movement now means that the team would be giving up on next season.
Yet, I kinda think that ramping up the youth movement might be the only thing that can save THIS season.
Get Suzuki in there at least twice or three times a week. Call up Barton and play 3 out of four of Cust, Johnson, Swisher, and Barton every game.
Trade Kennedy to some desperate NL club for a prospect and give the 5th spot to the hot hand, whoever it might be... Komine, Madsen, Meyer, etc...
by The Pilots Dared Me To Die on Jul 5, 2007 12:22 PM PDT reply actions
How are they giving up
on next year by going with youth this year? It's already assumed that most, if not all, of the most experienced players won't be back next year (Stewart, Piazza, Kendall) and will be replaced by younger players. I really don't see how playing youth now means the A's have already given up on 2008.
by IndianaAsfan on Jul 5, 2007 12:48 PM PDT up reply actions
conventional wisdom is that
by The Pilots Dared Me To Die on Jul 5, 2007 12:59 PM PDT up reply actions
Future = next year
Now = now
Plus,
with your reasoning by going with rookies this year we would be forfeiting this season which would directly conflict with your previous post where you say that going with rookies could actually save THIS season.
I'm seriously at a loss where you think they could help this year but be a detriment next season when they'd be even more experienced.
Right,
you just agreed with me. By going with the rookies this year they are investing in the future. Their investment is in next year - the future. The guys they would be replacing aren't to be here next year anyway, so they haven't given up on anything beyond 2007 by playing them now.
by IndianaAsfan on Jul 5, 2007 3:51 PM PDT up reply actions
y'all just don't get it
I don't get Komine. The guy is horrible and I
would rather try and win with someone like Kennedy rather than give up by pitching the Hawaiian Popout. He has no "out pitch" from what I've seen and he really falls into familiar patterns with his off-speed pitches.
IMO- If you are throwing the same pitch over and over with Kendall behind the plate... it tells me that he's got nothing else in his "arsenal." He also had a 5+ ERA at Sactown so why should we believe that it will translate to anything better in the majors?
by ohtobe21likehuston on Jul 5, 2007 12:23 PM PDT reply actions
agreed, but...
he's still better than Kennedy.
There's got to be somebody out there that Billy can acquire... some disgruntled NL reliever that would be better starting...
I wish there were someone we could package with Dan Johnson to send to the Twins for a 5th starter, or maybe even Pat Neshek...
by The Pilots Dared Me To Die on Jul 5, 2007 12:27 PM PDT up reply actions
Actually I don't think he is even close
to being as good as Kennedy. He does stink Komine has a much stronger stench.
by ohtobe21likehuston on Jul 5, 2007 12:34 PM PDT up reply actions
stink "but" Komine
I agree that it will take multiple guys to acquire anyone better at this point. However, DJ is expendable and Swish could play 1B or we could turn Cust into Pickin' Machine- Part II :-)
by ohtobe21likehuston on Jul 5, 2007 12:40 PM PDT up reply actions
Komine is not a viable option
I agree with ohtobe, Komine has a below average fastball with no movement, an average to above average 12 to 6 curve he can't control, and a below average changeup he won't throw. The only way he is a viable major league pitcher is if his control has suddenly increased twofold over last year and if he suddenly has faith in his stuff. I would continue to run Kennedy out there.
Is he?
Komine had a higher ERA in AAA than Kennedy has in the majors. I see nothing in Komine's stat profile or his stuff to indicate that he is capable of helping a team as a starter. Everyone wants to complain about Kennedy, but he has been pretty much exactly what a team would hope to get from a 5th starter. Kennedy is not very good, but take a look at what other teams are getting from their 5th starters.
by BlameChannel53 on Jul 5, 2007 12:36 PM PDT up reply actions
Amen. I have heard a lot of people talk about
Komine, Braden, Windsor, etc. but I doubt one of them will ever turn into a quality ML pitcher. I think Braden has the most upside but I am not convinced that he could even handle the #5 slot.
by ohtobe21likehuston on Jul 5, 2007 12:43 PM PDT up reply actions
You guys can go on stats as much as you want
but my gut feeling tells me Kennedy will never be anything but a heartbreak to any team he's on.
At least Komine can give us a few innings before we lose, rather than have to pull Kennedy in the 1st like yesterday...
Then again, it's not Komine I want, either. I'd like to see Meyer and or Madsen get a couple of starts up here. When Calero and/or Street comes back, I'd like to see Braden get another chance.
I don't think any of those people are the long term answer, but if you can milk five decent innings out of the hot hand of the moment, that's better than anything Kennedy can provide.
Kennedy stinks and I boo him almost as loud as I boo Bobby Crosby!
by The Pilots Dared Me To Die on Jul 5, 2007 1:02 PM PDT up reply actions
Boy that was close...
I'm glad you used the word almost in your last sentence.
by ohtobe21likehuston on Jul 5, 2007 1:04 PM PDT up reply actions
Trading Kennedy is of course a good idea
But really, a "youth movement" would make more sense as a strategy to stay in contention, than a strategy to use because they're not likely to contend.
Komine sucks and has has no future as a starter, so trying that is pointless. Meyer should stay in AAA to see if he can start succeeding at that level, and there really isn't anyone else worthy of being called up.
As long as DJ is playing well, there's no reason at all to call up Barton and waste his service time (he would not equal DJ's .846 OPS this year). Ideally, he would come up in June or July next year. Really the only reason to bring him up this year would be if the team was in contention and DJ was hurt or struggling badly.
+1
by BlameChannel53 on Jul 5, 2007 12:37 PM PDT up reply actions
The move I'd like to see
is Donnie Murphy playing SS over Crosby for two weeks. Either he will do better and stick, or finally convince Crosby that he doesn't actually have job security.
Why not?
At this point, it's time to shit or get off the pot for Crosby. Maybe some tough love will work, because handing him a MLB job certainly hasn't.
by BlameChannel53 on Jul 5, 2007 12:38 PM PDT up reply actions
Agreed.
Even though I'm a part-time Crosby apologist (Crosbologist?)...
I see a Monkeyball response inserted here _ _ _ _
by ohtobe21likehuston on Jul 5, 2007 12:55 PM PDT up reply actions
hi, I am your Crosbologist, you can call
me Poppy, now would you drop your pants and bend over while I put on these gloves?
CrosballANation- def.
The process of creating a better Bobby Crosby through the interaction of negative posting by a combination of both male and female AN'ers.
by ohtobe21likehuston on Jul 5, 2007 1:16 PM PDT up reply actions
Crosbopolis:
The dark city, enclosed by a phantom "high ceiling," where people who still whole-heartedly believe in Crosby live.
Oh fuuuuuudge... it's been a loooong day.
by ohtobe21likehuston on Jul 5, 2007 1:34 PM PDT up reply actions
by being granted sole domain over SS ...
... Beane has granted Bobby a Crosbopoly.
so it's Murphy's Law without even playing Donnie?
by ohtobe21likehuston on Jul 5, 2007 2:30 PM PDT up reply actions
Crosbology...
Using the position of the stars, planets, and BoCro's location in the batter's box to forecast which one of the the three true outcomes will result from a BoCro at bat: A strike out, a pop up, or GIDP.
Exception: If there's a runner on third with less than two outs it will ALWAYS be a strike out.
As a "buck-toothed" schoolmate used to say...
"Schhhweet!"
by ohtobe21likehuston on Jul 5, 2007 3:00 PM PDT up reply actions
long past g/f of mine worked
a summer job in a cannery in salem oregon...Stokley Van Camps frozen foods. I would call her at work...and this would answer (Richard Sorenson), he had one of those slurring side lisps....
it went like this...
"Hello, Shhtokly Vansh Campshhs Froshen Foodshs Divishion, Rishhard Shorenshon shhpeaking."
My face is completely red from laughter...
I finished 3 hours of lawn maintenance before it hits 95, came in to eat my B.O.B. from Taco Bueno and about spit it up after reading your post. Good stuff.
by ohtobe21likehuston on Jul 5, 2007 6:52 PM PDT up reply actions
Crosbop Kabbalah
That's either Bobby's Jewish cousin, a line from my next instalment of "Howl," or the gnostic study of GIDP rates.
I knew you would come through with some good ones
and you certainly did. You're like the Energizer Bunny of humorous quotes.
by ohtobe21likehuston on Jul 5, 2007 6:53 PM PDT up reply actions
a Crosbologist is ...
... the specialist you go see when you fear you may have a case of crabcakes.
And a Crosbomination
is what we have playing shortstop..
new nickname alert!
The Crosbominal Swingman
Yeah, sure
until next week when he goes on the DL with a crosbdominal strain.
by FreeSeatUpgrade on Jul 5, 2007 6:51 PM PDT up reply actions
if he ever "experiments": Crosbicurious
Is this the All-Youth Team:
C - Suzuki
1B - Barton
2B - Ellis
SS - Crosby
3B - Chavez
LF - Buck
CF - Swisher
RF - Cust
DH - Johnson
P1 - Haren
P2 - Blanton
P3 - Gaudin
P4 - Harden
P5 - Braden
RP - Street
RP - Casilla
RHP - Calero
LHP - Embree
I simply don't believe in Komine or Brown or Murphy, or anyone else who would never be in the majors if not for injury.
The above lineup is pretty bad defensively in the OF so we'll need some long men -- get DiNardo, Kennedy, and I guess Komine up. We'll end up with about 75 wins with that team.
AMAZING
Each of the starters above has a last name ending in N.
Now we just have to get to work on the position players and relief staff.
HoustoN
AlaN
RoN
Ok, they have a first name pattern.
Madsen
I'm surprised you didn't mention Mike Madsen for the 5th starter role.
I keep hearing his name and Tim Hudson's in the same sentence; I don't think he'll be as good as Huddy, but he's been had a good first start in AAA (7 innings, 0er, 6k). If he can keep it up we might see Kennedy traded and Madsen get a shot at the spot before the deadline.
I love Madsen too
I just didn't want to rush him too much. At the same time, didn't Harden go pretty quickly from Double A to Triple A to the majors? I don't remember exactly how that went.
I do know that the A's love Madsen. Maybe that is what they're preparing to do. Regardless, there's just nothing that excites me about watching Kennedy trot out there every fifth day and as I mentioned, I think this team can make a move towards getting younger while still remaining in contention.
by Tyler Bleszinski on Jul 5, 2007 12:48 PM PDT up reply actions
2 starts at Midland then onto Sactown for 16 more
God... what a beautiful thing it was to see Harden's MLB debut. I thought of our rotation in '89 and said... this guy is equal to those guys.
by ohtobe21likehuston on Jul 5, 2007 1:00 PM PDT up reply actions
Jumping the gun is OK
as long as we are not jumping the shark
Sharks with friggin LASERS on their heads...
kill people.
Mutated sharks
know how to straight-up murder yo ass. I learned that in 4 years of Evil Medical School.
by ohtobe21likehuston on Jul 5, 2007 3:08 PM PDT up reply actions
Speaking toward the first part of the diary
I was going to post something about this yesterday but didn't get around to it. The Angels are absolutely tanking and we have managed to gain nothing on them. It is so disheartening that the Angels are doing exactly what we all said we needed and hoped they would do and the A's are content to stand pat at the .500 mark. This past couple weeks was our best chance to get back in it and time just gets shorter and shorter trying to overcome the 8 game defecit.
They are tied for the second best record at 51-33
and have went through a decline the last two weeks. I don't know if I would classify it as "absolutely tanking."
by ohtobe21likehuston on Jul 5, 2007 1:02 PM PDT up reply actions
3-6 in their last nine has to be considered
tanking in relation to how they have played.
On the Dan Haren for All-Star starter front how bout these numbers to shut up the pudits touting CC Sabathia as a god. Today against the Tigers 4IP 10H 7ER 3HR
oh oh and for those idiots on ESPN he got the
LOSS.
Don't waste my time with your silly stats
I only want to believe what my heart tells me.
Sincerely,
Joe Morgan, SPWC, and your friendly ESPN pundits.
by BlameChannel53 on Jul 5, 2007 1:11 PM PDT up reply actions
Kennedy Should Go back to Pen
We know of his abilities out of the pen. If he's not going to be traded then at least he may be more efective there. As a starter he's not eating up innings and in fact is tasking the pen even more. "I say, Go Komine!" (rhyme for the day).
Give him a shot. Hopefully he's continuing to develop and be the effective #5 that we think he can be. We know the offense can't be counted on, therefore our best bet is using our weapon (pitching and defense) to keep us competitive.
Our best weapon...
is a shark with a laser on it's head, why don't we use that?
Only if it's a
O/T - What gives?
I posted a diary today, and it didn't load - still in Preview Mode.
Am I on Nico's secret list of naughty bloggers now?
It's your damn attitude, is what it is!
(Scratch that - I'm an idiot)
Oh, for the ability to delete comments...
Is any other team just hurting for arms?
Maybe the A's can trade Kennedy and Marshall for one decent reliever.
If a team is "just hurting for arms"
why would they give up "one decent reliever"?
I'm afraid our solution to the 4/5 starter issue
is dependent on Loaiza and Harden. There just isn't anyone obvious in the system to bring up. So I'm spending my free time sending positive energy toward Harden's arm/shoulder and Loaiza's knee. May they both prosper and save us. Amen. (Sorry, this started sounding more like a prayer than a comment, so I went with it.)
Komine, Braden, Windsor means you are cashing out
your chips for this year.
I'm on the Harden stay healthy plan and am hoping he can at least last until Loiaza gets back. Anything beyond that will be a bonus yet I could see us contending in either of these scenarios.
by ohtobe21likehuston on Jul 5, 2007 1:42 PM PDT up reply actions
I agree, trade Kennedy
to create a spot in the rotation for someone. I'm not sold on anyone yet (Komine, Braden, Meyers, etc.).
Untradeable after 2/3rds four runs
Right now, I think every GM would have to justify not bringing their own version of Marcus McBeth up from the minors, before actually attaching Kennedy to their roster. After all the media would mention "July 4th" and not only the runs, but the inability to throw strikes.
by One won lost won on Jul 5, 2007 1:58 PM PDT up reply actions
why not
trade piazza, trade kennedy, load up on prospects and call up barton.
have johnson/barton/cust/kielty split time between 1B/DH/RF. kendall/suzuki at catcher.
bring in meyer/braden/dinardo/prospect for the 4/5 starter.
the main risk being without harden or loaiza we'll have 2 spots to fill in the rotation with unproven quantities. if things don't turn around in the next couple weeks this decision will be alot easier.
are there any teams in the AL that are in need of a DH? minnesota maybe?
Barton
I really don't think that there is enough playing time on the team for DJ and Barton; if the A's were going to call him up to share time with DJ, it would have happened already.
I think Barton is the better option, but it's not like DJ is killing us offensively like Crosby, Kendall, and (arguably) Chavez. DJ is fourth on the team in OPS (third if you don't count Suzuki).
The only way we see Barton before September is if Beane trades DJ (which is a possibility) before the deadline.
by Threepwood XX on Jul 5, 2007 1:52 PM PDT up reply actions
Trades DJ to whom?
As has been discussed, there are simply no spots on ML rosters that are not already occupied by players preferred to DJ. The only option could be NY Yankees, but who would the A's want? Clemens for the rest of the season??
by One won lost won on Jul 5, 2007 2:01 PM PDT up reply actions
Swisher
I think Swisher could be a big deciding factor in the next few weeks.
He's currently been in a huge funk, but if he were to come out of it (especially hitting ahead of Cust) it could be the spark the offense needs.
Adversely, if Swisher stays in his funk I'm just not sure the A's will have enough offense to get a hot streak going.
IN Beane we Trust
Joe Kennedy has always been, and will be JFK....he was bad last year, he was amazingly BAD during spring training, and hes been LUCKY to have decent outings occassionally during this season. BUT, he is what he is...JFK
ill be the first person to not give up on our team....but our team, as it stands now, is just not a playoff team. There are alot of IF's that can trun that around, but they would ALL need to happen, and even then, im not sure if it would be in time to salvage this season.
Billy needs to work his magic, make some trades, and work on 2008 and beyond! By all means, i hope 2007 will trynaround, and i am not giving up as much as it sounds like i am.....but im also a realist, and living in SoCal, i watch plenty of Angels games to know they are wayyy better than we are, and they're not even the best team in the AL.
IN BEANE WE/I TRUST!!!!!!!!!
by PSHABAZ on Jul 5, 2007 2:00 PM PDT reply actions
Beane working his magic
Not this year, IMO. Too many of the audience have "seen the show from behind the curtain".
Beane isn't holding any face cards, and everyone knows it.
by One won lost won on Jul 5, 2007 2:04 PM PDT up reply actions
Swisher agreed
I feel besides the few homers that cust/dj have been hitting our heart of the order just isn't putting up enough hits. If they start hitting like they should be we will win a majority of our games.
As with Kennedy he clearly showed that he is not a starter but i felt he was a good middle relief guy. Although if we traded him i wouldn't complain either.
We are still in this race considering were getting our closer back around the 20th (hopefully) and if loiza and harden can be added we will see another on fire A's team in August.
Hmmm seems like de ja vu all over again.
by TheGreenGoldCrush on Jul 5, 2007 2:03 PM PDT reply actions
I hope you're right
But even an August "en fuego" run IMO won't be enough this year.
My projection is an 83-79 year at this point. Or "punt".
by One won lost won on Jul 5, 2007 2:06 PM PDT up reply actions
Javier Herrera promoted to Midland
Javier Herrera went 1-for-3 with a walk Wednesday in his debut for Double-A Midland.
Herrera's promotion comes as a mild surprise, especially since the A's had Danny Putnam ready to rejoin Midland's outfield. Instead, Putnam took Herrera's spot at Single-A Stockton. Herrera was hitting .274/.337/.448 with his old team. The A's old guideline about not promoting a player unless he was walking in 10 percent of his plate appearances wasn't a factor here. Herrera had a 60/19 K/BB ratio in 252 at-bats.
I assume that means that once Putnam is ready, Mitchell will be promoted to Stockton, if he isn't already.
What happened to Windsor?
Last year he was a dominant AAA pitcher, and now I never hear about him, is he injured?
by china bob on Jul 5, 2007 2:32 PM PDT reply actions
He did some spot starts last year
During the annual EloHarden outage, the A's tried a number of stopgap starters, and none really took.
Windsor / Komine / Halsey, and Brad Halsey worked out the best. (Except for the Bonds 712 - or was it 713?)
Starting Rotation
So, the rotation will look like this???
vs. Seattle
Thurs: Gaudin 2.92 ERA
Fri: Haren 2.20 ERA
Sat: Harden 1.17 ERA
Sun: Blanton 3.09 ERA
All-Star Game
7/10: Haren
@ Minnesota
7/12: Gaudin
7/13: Haren
7/14: Harden
7/15: Blanton
WOW!
If everyone can make it through the weekend healthy (Harden - Cough - Harden), there will be something to look forward to after the All-Star Break. Plus, NO FIFTH STARTER until July 16th!!! Add Loaiza to the mix in late July, and the "5th Starter" will only get 2 or 3 starts.
I say keep Joe Kennedy in the rotation until Loaiza is healthy. We know that if the Pitching/Defense/Hitting all start clicking at one time, this team will start putting W's together.... Plus, there's so much inter-division matchups that remain w/ Seattle & Anaheim (27 Games)...
I'm looking forward to a strong 2nd Half of baseball...hopefully, Macha/Geren will use the best lineups possible.
You've made an optimist more optimistic. Thx.
by ohtobe21likehuston on Jul 5, 2007 3:03 PM PDT up reply actions
still.....
that's IF they make thorugh the weekend, and IF the offense wakes up ....but then you still have the roblem with the bullpen....oh yeah....IF Street makes it back healthy....
by PSHABAZ on Jul 5, 2007 3:16 PM PDT up reply actions
I was at the game yesterday...
...and this team as presently constituted doesn't go to the playoffs.
Watched Kennedy warm-up and unless he did something with the weights and/or treadmill in the clubhouse, he didn't spend enough time getting ready. I just don't see him helping this club- even in the pen. Also, looking at the second half, I noticed Piazza ran about 30 yards one way and walked back the other. Again, perhaps he did more in the clubhouse - hope so. Somehow I expect a bit more diligence in a 'workout'. We left in the 6th - and so did tons of other people. This group shows an amazing lack of ability to hit with any consistency AND there was no attempt to tire the pitcher, who had, I think, a 2 hitter going into the 7th, off the mound with drag bunts. He was throwing in the 95 mph range - and higher, with lots of first pitch strikes, yet we exhibited "patience" at the plate. It's waaaay past time for someone to have a serious talk with these guys AND Geren.
I have a lot of confidence in Billy Beane and I just don't see him sitting there taking what I saw yesterday.
I don't see any problem with our approach
Being patient works. You saw what happened to Zito when he pitched against us and we ran his pitch count through the roof. The problem is, there are just too many bad hitters in this lineup. Between Crosby, Kendall, and Kotsay (who for now isn't hitting), we just have too many holes. A pitcher can be aggressive with our lineup because he knows that the next hitter just isn't really that dangerous. You give up a base hit, so what? Most of our hitters excel at hitting into double plays. So one ground ball and the pitcher is out of trouble. The only thing that keeps us from being one of the worst offenses this decade is guys like Cust who can work pitchers and draw walks. If we started hacking recklessly, we'd just compound the problem.
Our hitters just aren't good. That's why the offense is horrible and inconsistent. And it really starts with the manager deciding that he's not going to play guys who can't hit and the GM deciding that he's going to acquire guys that can hit. With Kendall at least, we've got a young promising backup that we can plug in. Suzuki should be getting plenty of playing time now. But with Crosby, we're pretty much screwed until he decides to hit or Beane gets somebody else.
Jumping the Gnu?
I thought we were going to leave that to Nico, Blez.
It's safe to say
This series is of paramount importance. If we lose this 4 game set, we are done. We'd have to climb 2 teams that have over a 6 game lead on us in our own division post-ASB. I don't see us being healthy enough (or flat out good enough) to do so barring a total collapse by BOTH Seattle and LAAAAAAA. And I totally agree Blez, get the young guys up here. We are short enough on guys that do happen to be alive as is; we might as well get Barton and others some valuable experience.
Yes
Hide the women and children, the Mariners are coming to town.
Based on the prevailing attitude
that we're on the brink of being out of coontention this season, I predict we sweep the Seattle Boat People.
coontention?
< struggles to avoid making awful joke >
It's pulpable.
The rotation is in a holding pattern
until Harden gets at least a start (or three), I believe. There's no decent option for a fourth starter in the minors, Lewis, Kennedy, DiNardo, and we have 3 solid starters who look like they could stay that way the rest of the year. But the fifth starter role is completely different because of how it changes the bullpen duties. If by some miracle (that none of us believe could happend) Harden comes out and throws 5-6 innings of injury-free baseball, then we're still looking at a season with 4 quality starters. Not likely, but any team with a .500 record at the break and 4 quality starters has a chance. Also, if that happens the fifth starter day can be pitched by whomever seems better on the given day, with a short hook and replacements at the ready (probably a combo of Komine, Kennedy, DiNardo). Then there's still a chance of getting Loaiza and Street back and all the sudden the pen looks a whole lot different. For now, I say do nothing and hold your breath.
I won't comment on Kennedy,
because I'm going to write about him on Friday. But what Blez is advocating is not unprecedented. In 2005, we went with youth--Haren and Blanton--and saw them through their rough patches, hoping the team could be more competitive in 2005 AND beyond for doing so...And it basically worked (thanks to a nice stretch of playing .800 ball).
Trouble is, this time around Komine, Windsor, Komine et al don't offer enough ability now or potential later to be worth pitching through rough patches that may turn out to be just "how bad they are all the time".
Everyone Wants to Get Rid of Crosby
Me, too.
But who plays SS every day? Scutaro?
Donnie Murphy, or whatever his name is.
I kid. BoCro's not going anywhere, except maybe the DL.
Mark Loretta!
Agreed, agreed, agreed!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Man, I think most A's fans who have been watching Kennedy since he came to Oaktown, could tell you that Kennedy is a piece of shit as a starter, and adequate at best comingout of the bullpen.
I never liked the guy, personally, and his body language on the mound is terrible. Add to that we have all of the arms mentioned in this post and I still don't get what Beane is waiting for. At this point, it seems that JK has lost almost all of his trade value, leaving very little to be reicieved in return for the A's.
Man I hope Harden stays healthy and one of these other kids can step up in the meantime. I don't think it is out of the question for the A's to stay in contention but for God's sake cut the loose bait that is weighing the ship down mates!
"More Suzuki, Free Daric Barton, and Man Overboard JFK!" Go A's!!!!!!! mrod
What ever happened to Halsey
anyway?
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