If You Could Return One ex-A's Player to Oakland...

by baseballgirl on Oct 8, 2008 9:11 AM PDT Comment 116 comments

It's hard to root heart and soul for a team the way that we root for the A's and have to let go of our favorite players. It's bad enough that they no longer play for the A's, but watching them have success with another team, especially on a national stage, is a tough pill to swallow. And due to the nature of the turnovers on this team, there are a lot of ex-A's players out there, and this year's playoffs are no exception.

We all miss favorite players, for varying reasons. Some of us miss the personalities; some of us miss the bats in the lineup, but most of us can think of at least one ex-A's player that they want back on the team.

I miss players like Giambi and Tejada, not because I necessarily want them back on the team now, but because they had great years in Oakland. I will always love Ramon Hernandez for his walk-off bunt, and Scutaro for his series-clinching double. I miss a healthy Mark Mulder, and I felt for Nick Swisher as he struggled this year. Watching Danny Haren start games brings back great memories; it's fun to watch Blanton's success, and I'll even admit to pangs of nostalgia watching Tim Hudson. And I know for sure that despite Zito's obvious decline and ridiculous contract, plenty of ANers have been rooting for him to pitch well, even if only because his first years with the Giants have been like kicking a puppy.

And then there are players like Kendall, who was a safe-bet .300 hitter until he joined the A's,and Johnny Damon, who had easily the worst season of his career during his year here. But do you want them back for a second shot at the numbers that they should have put up for the A's?

And those were performance issues. What about injuries? Is it hard to watch Jermaine Dye's success with the White Sox when he was so unlucky with the A's? And don't even bring up Rich Harden. Irrational as it well may be, after rooting for Rich to complete even three starts in a row with the A's for many years--much less the playoffs--watching him this year was painful. Yet do I want him back to try again?

If you had asked me this same question at the beginning of this season, my answer was obvious: I missed Frank Thomas, and I wish that had turned out better for everyone concerned. I don't have an answer for this off-season, but I bet AN does.

If you could pick one ex-A's player (must be still playing--Rickey doesn't count) to rejoin the team next year with the full guarantee that they would start the year healthy, who would it be, and why?

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Tejada

He may be clearly declining and expensive but it would certainly bring a certain excitement to this team that had been lacking the last couple years. I think he could mesh extremely well with the young core of this team and the improvement at SS would also be an added bonus. But I doubt the Astros are looking to deal him as they were actually pretty close to making the playoffs this season so they’re probably looking to add rather than subtract.

If he could be had and Chavez could somehow make an amazing recovery to be able to play third it’d be a storybook way to begin our new run at contention just as those two had helped usher in the past run.

"Their batters are patient to the point that it's annoying." -Ryan Franklin

by Helloooo 1st on Oct 8, 2008 12:03 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Oh and Hatterberg

But not as a player. Hitting coach for him on our team seems too perfect to be plausible.

"Their batters are patient to the point that it's annoying." -Ryan Franklin

by Helloooo 1st on Oct 8, 2008 12:04 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Hatteberg*

"Their batters are patient to the point that it's annoying." -Ryan Franklin

by Helloooo 1st on Oct 8, 2008 12:04 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Is "Eric Chavez" an acceptable answer?

Seriously, if you could pick one player that would most improve the upcoming A’s roster, 2001-vintage Chavez would probably be the best possible improvement…

Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.

by PaulThomas on Oct 8, 2008 12:07 AM PDT reply actions 4 recs

That is an inspired pick

30 HRs and a gold glove. That would be terrific.

Runs Please. A lot of them. The rest of the season. Thank you.

by One won lost won on Oct 8, 2008 12:09 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Jermaine, because I love him.

But we don’t need more outfielders, so I’m +1ing PT’s nominee… the long-departed Healthy Chavy.

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 12:11 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I thought about Dye

as he was ondeck in Game 4 a couple of days ago. Then he hit a HR. WS MVP in 2005, it’s too bad he got hurt so much with the A’s. That was one of the bigger contract that was a killer for the A’s, as he had about one AB per 100,000 dollars (or so it seemed) that one year.

Runs Please. A lot of them. The rest of the season. Thank you.

by One won lost won on Oct 8, 2008 12:30 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Reggie Jackson...

he looks like he could still play.

But, if he’s disqualified, then Eric Byrnes.

Foolsh, the most insane regular poster on AN since oaktoon left - salb

by FoolshGame22 on Oct 8, 2008 12:26 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Stew.

I know we need help on the other side of the plate, however……

Nobody can match that stare….

by RIPHalsey on Oct 8, 2008 12:28 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Giambi

I guess I’d support taking a flier on him now, but following PT’s lead, the Giambi I’d really like is not the current version but the ’01 edition.

Brainless Automaton #439

by rubin sierra on Oct 8, 2008 12:59 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Tejada

I loved the guy. He was that “presence” that you just felt, irrationally, as a fan made the game more fun to watch. He never had the potential of Chavvy, nor the defense, but when we let him go it broke my heart (not enough to stop being an A’s fan of course). He was the guy you waited with baited breath for at the end of the game, whether or not you believe clutch exists (it doesn’t). He was the guy whose swing you imitated whenever you played a game of pickup. And to me, he was the guy who defined the 2000-2003 run. And if he was available this offseason, I’d still inquire. Oh, and he had the awesome chant from the drummers.

Other than him, I’d like Hudson back, who I always liked but never loved like Miggy. Giambi was the best hitter I’ve seen and remember being on the A’s (I’m too young to remember McGwire in his best years) and his SI long-hair tattooed arms look was the coolest thing I’ve ever seen.

"Loyal? I'm the most loyal player money can buy." - Don Sutton

by vignette17 on Oct 8, 2008 1:15 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Hudson- absolutely!

First of all, I named my dog after Hudson, so that’s one reason. Everyday when I’m out in the yard calling the dog’s name, I can’t think of what a wasted trade Beane made, giving up our best pitcher for nothing in return. Second, Hudson was a solid, everyday pitcher who added class to this team. He would be a great mentor for our cache of hopefully up and coming young stars. Bring back Huddie! I would also like to see Tejada back at Shortstop, but only if he would work for Crosby’s salary. Not gonna happen.

The greenmachine

by greenmachine on Oct 8, 2008 4:59 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

At least you didn't

name your dog after Zito like I did!

by snrubnivek on Oct 8, 2008 8:52 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Can't. Stop. Laughing.

So, bring on Bonds! Or, not... then, bring back Langerhans!! -One won lost one

by baseballgirl on Oct 8, 2008 9:19 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I work with a guy who named his kid...

…Hudson a few years ago, specifically after Timmy.

by LoneStranger on Oct 8, 2008 9:45 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

My Cats are Mulder and Zito

That was a mistake but they are 6 years old now. Especially Zito because that is embarrassing having a cat named after him.

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 8, 2008 10:32 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

One of my friends named her cats Hudson and Zito

That was also a mistake, as she ended up having to change Zito’s name to “Zita” to accurately reflect the cat’s actual gender.

"God doesn't pay attention to your cute little hypotheticals." -- Jeff from LL

by oblique on Oct 8, 2008 11:27 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Still can't get past the Bar. Fight.

Have a hard time forgetting that incident of Hudson.

So, bring on Bonds! Or, not... then, bring back Langerhans!! -One won lost one

by baseballgirl on Oct 8, 2008 9:19 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Just curious

but has the “bar fight” ever been verified? I’m not denying it happened, just seems like the rumors have become “fact” over the years. Kinda like Jose Guillen being a total cancer in the clubhouse. I haven’t read one quote from a player, coach, or front-office guy validating either one.

I needed a team so I wouldn’t turn into one of the eighty million pink hat-wearing Bud Light-drinking mulleted idiots at Fenway.

by Vacafan on Oct 8, 2008 5:19 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

How about a 3.33 ERA and 206 strikeouts?

Danny Haren’s stats this year were the best of any ex-A that played for a full season (i.e. not Harden). He is still just coming into his prime and would be the ace for just about any staff in the majors. Can’t say that about many of our ex-guys.

However, the blockbuster trade that sent him away was probably the best thing that could have happened to your 2010 Oakland A’s.

If we’re talking about realistic ex-A to return to the fold then the Giambino is the obvious choice, but his numbers look remarkably like Jack Cust’s and the prospect of having to play Cust in the outfield all season….. sheesh.

So my choice is Swisher. He’s hating it in Chicago and was the life and soul of the A’s for the all-to-short time he was here. He still has enormous upside and would be a shot in the arm to the lifeless group we saw inhabit the A’s dressing room post All-Star break.

by itsgemme on Oct 8, 2008 6:30 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Giambi without a doubt...

"I'm not going to buy my kids an encyclopedia. Let them walk to school like I did." -Yogi Berra

by brenarlo on Oct 8, 2008 6:56 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Haren, Swisher, and Thomas in that order

No real need for anybody else, and that includes Giambi and Tejada. I guess Hudson would be a fourth choice.

by thejd44 on Oct 8, 2008 7:40 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

The A's have no real need for Miguel Tejada?

He had a bad season and still was probably 10 runs better with the bat than Crosby— and if you believe RZR or OPD, he was actually substantially better with the glove too.

Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.

by PaulThomas on Oct 8, 2008 8:47 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Oh, it says "player"

I had Macha on my mind.

I think the thing we have to remember is that players move all the time- stars and sentimental favorites alike- and not just from Oakland, though it may feel that way.

From strictly a fan standpoint, I would like to see Hudson in an A’s uniform again.

I'm here to talk about the past.

by 67MARQUEZ on Oct 8, 2008 7:44 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Huddy

Huddy “The Bulldog” leading Cahill, Anderson, Mazzaro, and Gallagher for the next 4-5 years.

by Colorado Fan on Oct 8, 2008 7:46 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Harden likely to have shoulder surgery this offseason
Might be back by May. Cubs are making him see a shoulder specialist today so that they can decide whether or not to pick up his option.

He never stops breaking my heart.

by schmifty on Oct 8, 2008 7:47 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Not breaking mine

but then again, it should be noted that I am a robot whose “heart” is made up of impregnated silicon and wires. I lack the capacitor— excuse me, capacity— to feel bad about Rich Harden.

Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.

by PaulThomas on Oct 8, 2008 8:40 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Oh, Rich. :(

by whiteshoes40 on Oct 8, 2008 12:50 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

NO surgery for Harden; He passed physical, Cubs picked up his option

Good for him!!!

“I spoke to Rich today and he seems excited about [an offseason strengthening program] and is very happy he won’t have to undergo a procedure.” – Hendry

While he’ll avoid surgery, Harden still needs to solve the puzzling decline in velocity he suffered at the tail end of the season. The best case scenario would probably be that his slowdown was due to his largest workload since 2004 and not because of anything awry inside the right arm. His elbow wasn’t part of today’s examination and that would be another potential explanation for his problems.

by schmifty on Oct 8, 2008 1:58 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yay! That's a relief.

by whiteshoes40 on Oct 8, 2008 2:42 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

He had a small workload with the A's

I hate it how people leave our team and then suddenly become good, or in the case of Harden, Stopped being a wuss.

We're in a team-wide funk. ~Mark Ellis

by #14fan on Oct 9, 2008 5:06 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Oh man this is a tough one

I would like to bring someone back who would actually help the current team. Haren would be near the top of the list, although he seemed to melt down again later in the year this year.

Honestly, Jermaine Dye would be my choice. He’s a right-handed bat, he’s consistent now that he’s healthy and I remember just how freaking awesome he was with the A’s until he had that freak accident. I think he’d be a perfect fit for this current team too.

by Tyler Bleszinski on Oct 8, 2008 7:58 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Harden, easily.

The guy is the most talented starting pitcher the A’s have had since, well, I don’t even know. Stew, I guess.

Since he never made 35 starts in a season, we never knew what kind of numbers he’d actually put up.

Chavez would be my 2nd choice.

by mikev on Oct 8, 2008 7:58 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

+1

If we get to make the returning player “healthy” for the entire season, Harden is a no-brainer, imo. A healthy Rich Harden wins 20 games in his sleep.

I needed a team so I wouldn’t turn into one of the eighty million pink hat-wearing Bud Light-drinking mulleted idiots at Fenway.

by Vacafan on Oct 8, 2008 5:22 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Milton Bradley

just cus im curious if Geren has the judo skills that Macha had (and that Bud Black didn’t have).

by oakinboston on Oct 8, 2008 8:05 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Pure stat/player wise, I would say Dye or Haren

But I would have to pick Hudson as he was my favorite player on those A’s teams that made all the playoffs in a row. I would love to see Huddy back in an A’s uniform.

Bring back Hammer.

by OaktownPower on Oct 8, 2008 8:09 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Swisher would improve 1B a lot over Barton in '09.

I vote for him.

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

by WaddellCanseco on Oct 8, 2008 8:11 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Milton Bradley and his 163 OPS+

"However, at Elias, I think they keep track of the amount of sunflower seeds spit in a dugout each night." - Brad Ziegler, 8/7/08

by doctorK on Oct 8, 2008 8:32 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Absolutely. Bradley's a far better player than Tejada, Giambi, Swish

You guys not voting for Milton should lose your votes for the Hall of Fame too. :-)

by Miata71 on Oct 8, 2008 5:23 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Texas

au contra ire

by JediLeroy on Oct 8, 2008 9:45 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

OPS+ is adjusted for ballpark. 163+ puts him in the top 500 of all time.

http://www.baseball-reference.com/leaders/OPSplus_season.shtml

by Miata71 on Oct 8, 2008 10:36 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

That's pretty good

Milton’s pretty awesome when he’s healthy

au contra ire

by JediLeroy on Oct 9, 2008 4:50 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Tejada and or Tim Hudson

I don’t really think I need to explain, anybody on this site is familiar enough with these two excelent ballplayers to know how valuble they would be on the A’s, especially with all of these young guys comming up.
Come to think of it, Huddy was the object of the biggest bust trade I ‘ve seen in my lifetime, and Crosby the biggest bust in not resigning a player in favor of a prospect to replace him….no ofense to mr Crosby but really, the A’s would have been so much better had they had Miggy this whole time…

Is that Embry warming up?....... NOOOOOOOOOOOoooooooooo!!!!!!!!!

by iljackb on Oct 8, 2008 9:19 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

JOHN JAHA THE LEGEND

BRING BACK JOHN JAHA

Cust is the new Jaha.

by johnjahafanclub on Oct 8, 2008 9:20 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

how predictable :)

"Some of the men didn't wait for the women and children to jump off the sinking ship that is our season." - 67MARQUEZ

by notsellingjeans on Oct 8, 2008 2:39 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

By that logic

I guess I should vote for Hudson.

"God doesn't pay attention to your cute little hypotheticals." -- Jeff from LL

by oblique on Oct 8, 2008 11:31 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

jermaine dye

righty bat w/ power
only if he keeps up his 30hr/90-100 rbi type pace in oakland

by Asfan4ever723 on Oct 8, 2008 9:22 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Swisher

He so defined the A’s for the time that he was here, and he’ll be missed for a long time.

by Gromit1025 on Oct 8, 2008 9:33 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

sorry he's overrated

hype of the fans due to his personality

low avg, obp, solid power guys…been there, done that

by Asfan4ever723 on Oct 8, 2008 11:53 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

It's true that numbers aren't quite there for him,

but I think his personality changed the team for the better. He lifted the spirit and morale of the whole team while he was here.

by Gromit1025 on Oct 9, 2008 1:59 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

+100

That’s really what the team needs. And now we really don’t have anybody like that. Mike Sweeney sorta fit that, but Beane, the devil that he his, got rid of him.

We're in a team-wide funk. ~Mark Ellis

by #14fan on Oct 9, 2008 5:08 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Dye, Long (solely because of the catch), Tejada, Healthy Chavez, Haren, Mulder, and Art Howe

'That's something we do...thirteen hits and not score'-Terrence Long

by DyeLongJustice on Oct 8, 2008 9:36 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Swisher

the patience, versatility, character

Haren and Hudson in a close race for second

Tejada probably after that

though I miss Blanton

Let's have our Piazza and eat the Cust too - SPWC

by closetasfan on Oct 8, 2008 9:54 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Geronimo Berroa!!

Just to see him hit a eye high ball out again

by pcoco on Oct 8, 2008 10:00 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Just to hear the announcers say "Geronimo" again!

So, bring on Bonds! Or, not... then, bring back Langerhans!! -One won lost one

by baseballgirl on Oct 8, 2008 10:06 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Haynes and Oquist

I'm a street walkin cheetah with a heart full of napalm.

by FreeSeatUpgrade on Oct 8, 2008 10:05 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

A.J. Hinch and Frank Menechino

"The Athletics at Fremont" is soooooooo bad

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

Hudson, Haren, and Bradley.

"Every day is a new opportunity. You can build on yesterday's success or put its failures behind and start over again. That's the way life is, with a new game every day, and that's the way baseball is." -Bob Feller

by Christine on Oct 8, 2008 10:19 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Carlos Pena

by mikedaviswhereareyou on Oct 8, 2008 10:24 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

how's about Ludwick?

or even the guy we got in the Ludwick trade: Carlos Pena

or Ethier?

"Lefty relievers are like the different Mountain Dew flavors. New ones keep appearing, and people are willing to buy, but in the end most of them suck." - Gallagher's Watermelons

by scatterbrian on Oct 8, 2008 10:25 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Ludwick and Ethier did not ever actually play for Oakland

Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.

by PaulThomas on Oct 8, 2008 12:13 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

yeah I know

I wasn’t sure if that was a criteria

"Lefty relievers are like the different Mountain Dew flavors. New ones keep appearing, and people are willing to buy, but in the end most of them suck." - Gallagher's Watermelons

by scatterbrian on Oct 8, 2008 2:54 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Henderson

Ricky Henderson.

Ellis for President

by tosk on Oct 8, 2008 10:43 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Love your sigline

We're in a team-wide funk. ~Mark Ellis

by #14fan on Oct 9, 2008 5:09 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

George WIlliams

Don Wengert

The Original Bobby C

Or maybe just Rickey.

by jeffro on Oct 8, 2008 10:51 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Andre Ethier

McGwire belongs in the Hall so put him there

by streetisclosedin08 on Oct 8, 2008 10:52 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Hatteberg, Harden

Or Langerhans.

by Englishmajor on Oct 8, 2008 11:04 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I miss the Langerhans era, too.

by Rocktopus on Oct 8, 2008 11:28 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Jamie Quirk

Two-thirds of the earth is covered by water, the other third is covered by Kotsay...in his prime...like 3 years ago.

by carp on Oct 8, 2008 11:05 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Felix Jose

who made a bare hand catch (falling down at the wall) and hit a grand slam in the same game.

Two-thirds of the earth is covered by water, the other third is covered by Kotsay...in his prime...like 3 years ago.

by carp on Oct 8, 2008 11:06 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

T.J. Matthews

Blake Stein also considered

Two-thirds of the earth is covered by water, the other third is covered by Kotsay...in his prime...like 3 years ago.

by carp on Oct 8, 2008 11:07 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I'm with PaulThomas

Vintage Chavy over all these other fools

by NateHST on Oct 8, 2008 11:11 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I'm going with

Jorge Velandia. Or maybe Rafael Bournigal.

A serious guy I’m surprised nobody’s thrown out there yet: Aaron Harang.

Personally I’d probably take Haren, though I liked the “in his prime Chavez” idea a lot.

RagingHarden: Yeah if you get 20 starts out of me I'll be shocked. Like, I'll wreck my drawers.

by walk off bunt on Oct 8, 2008 11:11 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Phil Plantier

Two-thirds of the earth is covered by water, the other third is covered by Kotsay...in his prime...like 3 years ago.

by carp on Oct 8, 2008 11:19 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

This is a good one

~~Todd Helton~~ Ariel Prieto

Two-thirds of the earth is covered by water, the other third is covered by Kotsay...in his prime...like 3 years ago.

by carp on Oct 8, 2008 11:20 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Miguel Tejada, Tim Hudson, Dan Haren, Carlos Pena, Aaron Harang, Jason Giambi

by BillMoresi on Oct 8, 2008 11:32 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Mike Magnante

or, failing that, Oquist

by windyfelix on Oct 8, 2008 11:33 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

those 96/97 teams were bad

sledgehammer patrick lennon lol

http://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/OAK/1997.shtml

by Asfan4ever723 on Oct 8, 2008 11:58 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Amazingly

That ‘97 team had 5 players hit more HR’s than the second highest A this season. They also scored nearly 120 more runs. Though I’ll tell you this: that ’97 team had some terrible pitching.

"Loyal? I'm the most loyal player money can buy." - Don Sutton

by vignette17 on Oct 8, 2008 12:10 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Ben Greive

You have to include smiley faces - Poppy
;- ) :- ) :-O : -> : -] : -}

by micdog2001 on Oct 8, 2008 11:59 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

The entire 1979 roster

Actually, they had a pretty good outfield that season (Rickey, Murph, and Armas)

"However, at Elias, I think they keep track of the amount of sunflower seeds spit in a dugout each night." - Brad Ziegler, 8/7/08

by doctorK on Oct 8, 2008 12:04 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Zito

I know he has sucked ass for the Giants, but he was awesome for us. I think he really fit the personality of the team.

President of the Brent Gates Fan Club

by SoCal As Fan on Oct 8, 2008 12:07 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Izzy Molina

for backup catcher

Two-thirds of the earth is covered by water, the other third is covered by Kotsay...in his prime...like 3 years ago.

by carp on Oct 8, 2008 12:11 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Chad Gaudin

Two-thirds of the earth is covered by water, the other third is covered by Kotsay...in his prime...like 3 years ago.

by carp on Oct 8, 2008 12:12 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Doug Jennings

always need more OF/1B types who can’t hit.

Two-thirds of the earth is covered by water, the other third is covered by Kotsay...in his prime...like 3 years ago.

by carp on Oct 8, 2008 12:13 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I originally read that as Doug Hennings

Which I thought was an inspired request to bring back a sense of magic.

by Lafayette Scotsman on Oct 8, 2008 2:30 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Jim Mecir

Need to bring the Fear back to the pen.

"That's not a Sherman tank, it's Frank Thomas!" - Monkeyball

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

So... many... choices...

My top three: Rich, Huddy, Miggy.

by whiteshoes40 on Oct 8, 2008 12:52 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Hudson, Tejada, Haren, Swisher

by asfansince1989 on Oct 8, 2008 1:16 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Tejada.

Tejada would be hands down my first choice, both because he would upgrade a position of need AND because he was a lotta fun to have in our dugout.

Second choice would be Carlos Pena, although, to be fair, it didn’t bother me we let him go all those years back until he started mashing last season.

"People ask me what I do in winter when there's no baseball. I'll tell you what I do. I stare out the window and wait for spring." ~Rogers Hornsby

by ZeroIndulgence on Oct 8, 2008 1:28 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

This is one of the best diary topics we've ever had

Great job BBG.

"Some of the men didn't wait for the women and children to jump off the sinking ship that is our season." - 67MARQUEZ

by notsellingjeans on Oct 8, 2008 2:41 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Swisher is my heart choice, Bradford is my logical one

I really miss Swish, and I bet Chicago GM Williams would give him back for the two pitchers he gave us and let us keep Sweeney!!! It was insulting watching him shelved during the ALDS series.

Bradford is so fun to watch and a stud in the pen…I guess we have Ziggy now, but both would be fun to combine with the hard throwing Brown, and Casilla.

by SwisherFan33 on Oct 8, 2008 2:56 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Mike Sweeney

What if we brought back Mike Sweeney. One of the Nicest guys in all of baseball. If he’s healthy he can provide a RH bat and platoon with Barton. If he aint healthy then as a bench coach. He could provide great leadership. I thought it was terrible what the A’s did to him. The A’s probably burned there bridges with him though.

by JFRIZZLE on Oct 8, 2008 4:59 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

gee-om-bee, of course

alaska A (now in Colorado)

by ak_A on Oct 8, 2008 5:32 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

lance blakenship

Two-thirds of the earth is covered by water, the other third is covered by Kotsay...in his prime...like 3 years ago.

by carp on Oct 8, 2008 5:47 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I like how it says the only criteria for it is still playing in the majors

It started out fine, but spiraled into the 70s and 80s for awhile. Not to just come in here and point that out, I’d pick Giambi. For the fact that having that extra power bat could really bolster the offense. Also, I think it will finally give us a chance to see what Jack Cust is really capable of having that sort of protection in the line up. The Giambi/Oakland conversation has been running rampant through AN lately, and I wouldn’t doubt it one bit if we saw Giambi back in the Green and Gold in 09.

by thesteve9x on Oct 8, 2008 6:04 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Scoot

Cheap, versatile lucky charm of a player.

by EddieVegas_NRAF on Oct 8, 2008 6:21 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Terence Long

Yay.

Procrastinators unite....tomorrow

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

I'm going a little too far back

But he’s worth the mention for what he did did 52 years ago today. When you consider all the circumstances, it just might be the greatest single-game feat this sport has ever known. And this is still one of the most recognizable images of all-time:

I'm here to talk about the past.

by 67MARQUEZ on Oct 8, 2008 8:11 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Fred Stanley. Wayne Gross?

Ah, hell, two-for-one.

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

by UncleLeo on Oct 8, 2008 8:25 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Jason Kendall

Whaaat?

Butter Brickle

by Ice Cream on Oct 8, 2008 8:39 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Randy Ready

His 1986 Topps card changed my life.

He followed up this card with a .309 .423 .520 season with the Padres in 1987.

Reduce your carbon footprint, commit suicide.

by bloodsweatndonuts on Oct 8, 2008 9:14 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Antonio Perez.

"God doesn't pay attention to your cute little hypotheticals." -- Jeff from LL

by oblique on Oct 8, 2008 11:30 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Keith Ginter!!

"Loyal? I'm the most loyal player money can buy." - Don Sutton

by vignette17 on Oct 9, 2008 1:33 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I laughed out loud seriously. best answer yet.

by Christine on Oct 9, 2008 12:39 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

How about a whole roster of em, right now!

Actually, I just meant to say Chris Hammond.

by Mark H on Oct 9, 2008 12:18 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I changed my mind. I'm voting for Ty Cobb.

by mikev on Oct 9, 2008 8:36 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Huddy

All the way

"I was right and you were wrong." - Ray Fosse

by kbtoyz on Oct 9, 2008 9:09 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Chris Sabo, Jose Rijo, and Billy Hatcher

because they seemed to play so well in the Coli

Two-thirds of the earth is covered by water, the other third is covered by Kotsay...in his prime...like 3 years ago.

by carp on Oct 9, 2008 10:19 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Dann Howitt

yes, I said it.

The Dan with two n’s.

A close second was The Govna’ (Jerry Browne).

Two-thirds of the earth is covered by water, the other third is covered by Kotsay...in his prime...like 3 years ago.

by carp on Oct 9, 2008 10:22 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Keiichi Yabu

Kidding of course, but I seriously would like to see more (GOOD) Japanese players get a shot in OAK. Take Akinori Iwamura for example. He signed with the (Devil) Rays last year when they were no where near the team they are now and he is a decent 2B. Not all Japanese players head for the big $$$ or big markets.

GO RAYS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

What next?

by OakFaninFL on Oct 9, 2008 11:00 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs