What do we do with Crosby?

Donnie Murphy will be nothing more than AAAA

I disagree about Pennington, he is still very young relatively speaking, had two years of setbacks due to nagging injuries. I am not saying Pennington is the answer but he has more upside than Murphy. I doubt the A’s will or even can move Crosby so for the next year we will all have to swallow hard and bear it. I liked what I saw from Pennington in his first stint in the majors, I love his speed and bat control, he looks good at the plate, good balance, decent eye. I did not like what I saw from Patterson, he had no clue at the plate, looked awkward with a long swing and no contact.

by Laoren on Oct 7, 2008 5:15 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Murphy is one year older and has half a season of ML ABs in his career.

And his Minor League totals are considerably better while staying healthier (I think). I don’t think keeping Murphy around for a utility role would be a bad idea – probably the same role Pennington will end up with.

The 2009 A's draft pick... getting higher every game.

by rebus on Oct 7, 2008 6:22 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I feel like Pennington is a better bench guy than Murphy

because he’s a switch hitter and a very good basestealer.

Murphy doesn’t add much in my book (and apparently in the books of the 29 other MLB teams that just decided he wasn’t worth a waiver claim).

Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.

by PaulThomas on Oct 7, 2008 7:57 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I actually agree with this

Even though I still think Murphy can be a decent starter, and certainly better than Crosby. But Pennington is more versatile, and possibly a better overall defender.

by thejd44 on Oct 7, 2008 8:48 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I like Pennington for 2nd assuming

Ellis is gone and no one better comes along.

In search of a new signature. Say something funny and you may see your comment here!

by DMOAS on Oct 7, 2008 8:12 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Well, in my neighborhood, trash goes out on Mondays.

OK that was mean.

OK I’m still glad I said it.

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 Oct 7, 2008 5:25 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

HA HA!!!!!

Women and children can be careless, but not men!

by MMunoz33 on Oct 7, 2008 8:08 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

OK, we'll need a boat

A 5 gallon bucket, a bag of quikrete and a roll of duct tape.

The monster at the end of this blog.

by grover on Oct 7, 2008 5:32 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

And a goat and some whip cream

Then we take care of Crosby and me all at once.

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 Oct 7, 2008 5:54 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Options?

What options do you have? Phone up the other GMs. See if they want him. Offer to eat his salary if need be. Since I suspect that will return no takers, release him and save the $400K league minimum on his salary.

There’s no reason to throw good money after bad by continuing to make him a part of the A’s organization. Bobby Crosby is incapable of playing baseball at the major league level. The contract was a mistake. Acknowledge it and move on.

Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.

by PaulThomas on Oct 7, 2008 5:33 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Basically what Nico said

only not as funny.

The monster at the end of this blog.

by grover on Oct 7, 2008 5:36 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

This topic usually does not induce a bucket of laughs from me...

More like tooth-grinding.

Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.

by PaulThomas on Oct 7, 2008 5:41 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

It will return takers

Remember, Corey Patterson got a contract. While sucking miserably.

Now with 100% more Canuck.

by Blicks on Oct 7, 2008 6:15 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Corey Patterson got a minor league contract...

Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.

by PaulThomas on Oct 7, 2008 7:56 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

True, but I think what Blicks is saying without saying

Is that you might have to eat most or all of the contract, but somebody will want him. You might not get much for it, but it’s possible that Crosby still has enough believers around the league that you could get close to what the A’s got for Kotsay.

by thejd44 on Oct 7, 2008 8:50 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Who are these believers?

I cannot remember the last time I heard anyone outside of the A’s organization say anything positive about him as a player.

Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.

by PaulThomas on Oct 7, 2008 9:05 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I am not disagreeing with you PT but...

Peter Gammons did.

"Whether you think you can, or you think you can't, either way, YOU'RE RIGHT !"

by Eastbayjim on Oct 7, 2008 10:07 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Wasn't that in, like, 2005?

Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.

by PaulThomas on Oct 7, 2008 10:37 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

You can't remember things from 2005?

by mikev on Oct 8, 2008 8:00 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'm assuming I MUST have heard SOMETHING positive about him since 2005

I just can’t remember what.

Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.

by PaulThomas on Oct 8, 2008 8:49 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Essentially every opposing broadcast team raves about him

And while in-house broadcasters are not necessarily important in this regard, they’re still very close to their teams and if everybody in every organization thought the guy sucked, you wouldn’t hear such glowing comments about how the guy just needs to stay healthy and when he’s healthy he’s so awesome. It’s sickening to listen to, but it’s out there and it’s out there a lot.

by thejd44 on Oct 8, 2008 7:51 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Release him

He’s not worth a pair of goat’s balls

I hope he goes jet boating, sky diving, scuba diving, drag racing and any other high risk activities in the off season

May the Angels suffer one more agonizing defeat in Boston and may K-Rod accidentally get in the way of a 120 mph line drive off David Ortiz's bat

by Trainman on Oct 7, 2008 6:05 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I actually don't agree that Crosby has no trade value to anyone

There are a few teams with worse shortstops and nothing immediately on the way and there is a chance that a change of scenery and/or a move the NL could cause Crosby to suck a little bit less than he has or will with the A’s.

I could see him being worth, in trade, somewhere between what Loaiza commanded (salary dump) and what Kotsay and Kendall commanded – which was a lot more than I expected in each case.

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 Oct 7, 2008 6:20 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

how about the orioles?

theyve gone the last couple of months with Juan Castro. and as bad as crosby is, hes better than Juan Castro

"Sometimes Joe (morgan) doesn't like facts to get in the way of his opinions."- billy beane
"That was a great pick...if this was 2002" Me, to guy who selected Barry Zito in a fantasy draft

by harendaman365 on Oct 7, 2008 6:27 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Also Cardinals, Dodgers (if they lose Furcal), and Tigers might be suitors

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 Oct 7, 2008 7:18 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'm calling Orlando Cabrera to the Tigers

Mostly just a hunch, but it’s also a fit.

by thejd44 on Oct 7, 2008 8:50 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

So Crosby to the White Sox!

[Crosby] "Guy that has driven in some big runs for the A's over the years" - Vince Cotroneo

by WaddellCanseco on Oct 8, 2008 8:14 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Alexei Ramirez

by thejd44 on Oct 8, 2008 10:54 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Will probably stay at 2B

Richar is gone and sucked. Getz sucked.

Ramirez will probably stay at 2B until Gordon Beckham is ready (prob. 2010), and Crosby will be a FA then.

Hmm…I wonder whether they’d be willing to take on a bad contract to fill 3B without giving up prospects…hmmm…

Now with 100% more Canuck.

by Blicks on Oct 8, 2008 12:33 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Ramirez is the shortstop next year

The White Sox have openly talked about this. Unless they’re handed ARod or something, he’s going to be the shortstop. The second base options would be Getz, Uribe (if they re-sign him), or Hudson (Williams has been trying to get him for years).

by thejd44 on Oct 8, 2008 12:39 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah, thejd is correct

The WS, KW, Ozzie, have repeatedly said they plan to move Ramirez to SS. And they have said that Chris Getz will get every chance to win the 2b job. Getz has been decent in the minor the last 2 season. Above league average OPS in AA and AAA.

Also, Williams has shown that he’s not afraid of signing unknown cheap guys to fill 2b.

ZIPS: Milledge: 466 HR, 485 2B, 2282 hits, 278-379-524

by rfloh on Oct 9, 2008 12:43 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

They also love former A's shortstops

see Bordick, Mike & Tejada, Miguel

by jpl on Oct 8, 2008 2:49 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I think more along the lines of Kotsay/Kendall

Crosby is an improvement over Berroa (if the Dodgers don’t hold on to Furcal), or Juan Castro(Orioles), or Ramon Santiago (Tigers) and Cardinals since they’re losing their SS to FA. . Salary isn’t bad enough that the A’s have to “dump” him, they can eat some and pull a Kotsay/Kendall type trade.

I would prefer to package him with something of more value as a throw-in though.

Now with 100% more Canuck.

by Blicks on Oct 7, 2008 7:28 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Is Crosby really an upgrade over Santiago?

by thejd44 on Oct 7, 2008 8:51 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I would say not.

[Crosby] "Guy that has driven in some big runs for the A's over the years" - Vince Cotroneo

by WaddellCanseco on Oct 8, 2008 8:14 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

dodgers didnt want him in jul/aug

probably a combo of sucking and at 5mill price tag, plus beane wanting a decent return

dodgers have hu and later de jesus who’ll be ready soon as SS options

by Asfan4ever723 on Oct 7, 2008 9:23 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Wait, Berroa is good

I mean, he won the ROY the year a few years back, he must be good….

oh…
wait.

We're screwed. Do what makes you human. For me it is running, being a dad and husband, and rooting for the A's.

by Athletics fan and runner on Oct 8, 2008 12:22 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

QOTM

That is classic

by AsFanInLA on Oct 8, 2008 10:48 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Agreed. It's not like he has no value...

…but it’s not alot of trade value. If he were a FA, I could see some desperate team paying decently for him, but not willing to part with much in a trade… as strange as that sounds.

"If I've got baggage, he's got a whole set of Louis Vuitton." ~ Milton Bradley on Barry Bonds

by UncleLeo on Oct 9, 2008 7:41 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

the orioles do sound like an option and i agree a couple nl teams probably would do alright having him. otherwise, send him to me. I’ll be more then happy to keep Bobby. Sure, we won’t be playing baseball..at all….but that’s ooook with me! :)

by ilovegregsmith on Oct 7, 2008 6:37 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

We trade him with Huston Street to Detroit for Magglio Ordonez

Then we sign Rafael Furcal.

by mikev on Oct 7, 2008 7:01 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Actually, FIRST you sign Furcal,

THEN you trade the SS you have!

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 Oct 7, 2008 7:19 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Pennington and Co. are the fallback plan.

Now with 100% more Canuck.

by Blicks on Oct 7, 2008 7:29 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I might not agree with this

Once you acquire Furcal (or anybody who is clearly slated to replace Crosby), you immediately lower the value of the guy you’re looking to trade. Teams know you basically have to move him, so the offers get a lot worse. And they probably won’t be good in the first place.

The downside to trading Crosby first is that Furcal or some other SS could then ask for more money knowing you need him more. Also, if you have nobody to replace him in house, you run that risk. But I think any of Murphy, Petit, Pennington, or Walt effing Weiss could probably at least match Crosby’s production at this point so I’m not too worried about that.

by thejd44 on Oct 7, 2008 8:54 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Precisely

Get rid of your cancer before you get a face-lift.

Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.

by PaulThomas on Oct 7, 2008 9:08 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I see it oppositely -

that Furcal’s price tag to Oakland goes up if there’s a more desperate need.

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 Oct 7, 2008 9:59 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

How about if the A's sign Furcal but keep it a secret and then trade Crosby?

"Whether you think you can, or you think you can't, either way, YOU'RE RIGHT !"

by Eastbayjim on Oct 7, 2008 10:10 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Honestly, I just don't really think the A's have much of a shot at Furcal

They’ll bid their max amount, I assume, and someone else will be stupid and bid more. Buyer’s remorse is the way of the world when it comes to free agents, and all the more so when there’s only one strong option on the marketplace.

Amazingly enough, the best free agent sign for the A’s could be a pitcher. It’s far and away the deepest position on the market this offseason. I’ll probably be involuntarily committed for saying this, but Oliver Perez’s pitching style seems like it might play well in the Coliseum— and if it frees the team up to deal for an infield bat like ZImmerman…

Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.

by PaulThomas on Oct 7, 2008 10:48 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

It's not a bad idea

I haven’t looked into Perez, so no comment on him specifically, but making your deep position even deeper is a fine strategy. Trading one of the pitching prospects, even if it’s one of the really, really good ones, hurts a little bit less if you have a quality player in place already.

Ok, just looked up Perez. I love that he’s so young, but he just walks soooo many guys. A rotation of Perez, Eveland, Smith, and Gio would really walk so many guys. I’d hope if Perez were signed, one of those other three would be involved in any deal to acquire a position player.

by thejd44 on Oct 8, 2008 7:54 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'd think Perez would get 4/$40M like Kyle Lohse.

[Crosby] "Guy that has driven in some big runs for the A's over the years" - Vince Cotroneo

by WaddellCanseco on Oct 8, 2008 8:16 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'm assuming this signing only happens after two things happen:

first, the A’s have dealt pitching for hitting at some point, and second, the better pitchers on the market have already signed, possibly lowering the cost of getting what seems like a poor alternative.

Just throwing the idea out there.

Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.

by PaulThomas on Oct 8, 2008 8:54 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I like that idea

May the Angels suffer one more agonizing defeat in Boston and may K-Rod accidentally get in the way of a 120 mph line drive off David Ortiz's bat

by Trainman on Oct 7, 2008 9:02 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

as for Murphy....

he was outrighted off the 40-man roster on 10/3 (as was Saarloos). Because he was DFA’d once already this year, I think he has the option to declare free agency. I highly doubt Murphy will be back. I think Eckstein would make a decent one-year option at SS if Crosby doesn’t return.

"just a beating heart ... plasma that we'll put into our uniform." - Billy Beane

by athleticsBB4life on Oct 7, 2008 7:54 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Eckstein?!?

No thanks on that. He’s just not a SS.

by MrIncognito on Oct 7, 2008 8:36 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

but.....he's scrappy

"It's like déjà vu all over again." -yogi berra

by Cheezombie on Oct 7, 2008 8:40 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I see you made a typo. That "s" is totally unnecessary.

by thejd44 on Oct 7, 2008 8:54 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I actually read it without the "s" first.

Unconscious editing.

Ray: "How fun is it to be up here playing in the Big Leagues?"
Gio: "It's *SUPER* fun!!!"

by Poppy on Oct 8, 2008 12:19 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

It's pronounced the same with or without the "s"

[Crosby] "Guy that has driven in some big runs for the A's over the years" - Vince Cotroneo

by WaddellCanseco on Oct 8, 2008 8:17 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Marco...

Scutaro…

Now with 100% more Canuck.

by Blicks on Oct 8, 2008 12:36 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Also bad.

by thejd44 on Oct 8, 2008 12:40 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Better than Crosby this season.

ZIPS: Milledge: 466 HR, 485 2B, 2282 hits, 278-379-524

by rfloh on Oct 9, 2008 12:44 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

At least Marco gives you something to cheer about a couple times a season.

"If I've got baggage, he's got a whole set of Louis Vuitton." ~ Milton Bradley on Barry Bonds

by UncleLeo on Oct 9, 2008 7:46 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

So did Crosby until he decided to stay healthy for a full season

by thejd44 on Oct 10, 2008 11:50 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

So was Kendall.

Or, was that gritty?

"If I've got baggage, he's got a whole set of Louis Vuitton." ~ Milton Bradley on Barry Bonds

by UncleLeo on Oct 9, 2008 7:45 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

SS FA market is pretty thin

Potential Free Agents

"just a beating heart ... plasma that we'll put into our uniform." - Billy Beane

by athleticsBB4life on Oct 7, 2008 8:10 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Where does Eric Patterson fall into the organization

and what is the plan for Matt Murton?? The outfield seems set but there seem to be seve or maybe eight players fighting for four spots…..

1. Sweeney
2. Buck
3. CarGon
4. Denorfia
5. R. Davis
6. Murton
7. Cust
8. Patterson? or do ANers see him as a 2B??

Women and children can be careless, but not men!

by MMunoz33 on Oct 7, 2008 8:14 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

This ANer doesn't.

I just don’t think he can field the position.

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 Oct 7, 2008 8:35 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

And there's that whole "can't hit major league pitching" thing

by thejd44 on Oct 7, 2008 8:55 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Possible Crosby Suiters

Toronto (MacDonald)
Detroit (Renteria – gone)
Baltimore (???)
Minnesota (Brendan Harris / Nick Punto)
St. Louis (Cesar Izturis)
LA Dodgers (Furcal / Berroa)
San Diego (Khalil Greene)
San Francisco (Vizquel – done?)

If J.P. Riccardi stays the GM for the Toronto Blue Jays, I could see him biting since he probably had something to do w/ drafting Crosby.

Southern California could be a spot based solely on a “Rejuvination Project” – Dodgers or Padres?

If no one wants Crosby for a Prospect (s), then putting him on Waivers might be the best thing to do. I just don’t see Beane going this route. I wish he would, though. This team needs to keep moving forward and younger. Out with the Old.

by Colorado Fan on Oct 7, 2008 9:08 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

MacDonald, Greene, and Emmanuel Burriss

who would be playing short for the Giants next year, are all better than Crosby. Yes, I know how ridiculous it is to say that Emmanuel Burriss is better than anyone. But it’s true. Izturis is probably better too, but he’s not under contract. Los Angeles has better options in-house. Baltimore is a wasteland anyway; it’s not worth it for them to bother with Crosby.

So unless SD miraculously goes along with my “change of scenery” plan and swaps Greene for Crosby (which, as I said, requires them not caring that Greene is better), you’re basically looking at 2, maybe 3 teams that might actually see Crosby as an upgrade.

Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.

by PaulThomas on Oct 7, 2008 9:17 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Well

In 2008, Crosby OPS’d better than all of those guys I listed, except Renteria (Min. 200 AB’s @ SS).

I don’t think it’s out of the question for the Dodgers to trade for Crosby. I’m not sure they’re sold on Hu, they never play rookies on a consistent basis (especially at SS), and they did take Loaiza off our hands. 1-Year Rental, Veteran So-Cal Reclamation Project.

by Colorado Fan on Oct 8, 2008 12:36 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Amazing, innit?

Nonetheless, most of them are superior enough with the glove that they are better than Crosby overall. Khalil Greene isn’t, but he’s never been nearly this awful at the plate before.

Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.

by PaulThomas on Oct 8, 2008 1:17 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs