A's need RH hitting slugger at 1b
by BlueMoon on Nov 24, 2008 9:37 AM PST
89 comments
Let's say the A's get Furcal. That would be nice. But, if you pencil in a line-up with him and Holiday it's very clear A's are too left-handed and too weak at 1b. With those additions Barton would be 9th in the battling order. No reason/excuse to have a tradtional "slugging postion" like 1b batting 9th. Giambi would be great, but is pretty redundant with Chavez and Cust. I hope if Beane is
going for it this year he doesn't overlook this critical and easily filled slot.
Burell, Adkins, Crede or Glaus and move Chavez to1b, Make Cust 1b and play Frank Thomas at DH, Bring back Eric Byrnes?
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1. I would be shocked to see Barton hitting 9 (Ellis, Sweeney, Suzuki are probably the other three at the bottom, and Barton should be hitting ahead of some of them).
2. Making Cust play 1b is as likely as making Barton play 3b (read: isn’t going to happen)
3. I don’t think we have the money for Burell/Dunn.
4. I still think Barton can have a very good 2009.
"There's never enough time to do all the nothing you want" -Bill Watterson
by nevermoor on Nov 24, 2008 9:58 AM PST reply actions 0 recs
Ever had Blue Moon beer?
I prefer it with an orange.
Save Rajai Davis
by oakinboston on Nov 24, 2008 10:00 AM PST reply actions 0 recs
if you need to add fruit to your beer
switch beers
"This is Rickey, calling on behalf of Rickey."
by scatterbrian on Nov 24, 2008 1:54 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
the funny thing abut this team
most of their inexperienced hitter seems like ideal #2 hitters at the moment: sweeney, buck, barton, etc
by Asfan4ever723 on Nov 24, 2008 10:22 AM PST reply actions 0 recs
Crede seems an interesting but, so does Bonds !!!!
"What do we do with Crosby? Well, in my neighborhood, trash goes out on Mondays." ~ Nico
by MMunoz33 on Nov 24, 2008 10:23 AM PST reply actions 0 recs
Crede seems interesting only if you like having bad, injured, and overrated players on your team
I also wouldn’t call a guy who would OPS around .720 in Oakland a “slugger.”
by thejd44 on Nov 24, 2008 10:26 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Sounds like Crosby...
"What do we do with Crosby? Well, in my neighborhood, trash goes out on Mondays." ~ Nico
by MMunoz33 on Nov 24, 2008 10:28 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Bonds >>>>>>>>>>>> Crede
I know that's a pisser, baby.
by Blicks on Nov 24, 2008 3:42 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Bonds' age>>>>>Crede's age
'That's something we do...thirteen hits and not score'-Terrence Long
by DyeLongJustice on Nov 24, 2008 4:18 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Bonds' chances of going to jail >>>>>>>>>>>>>> Crede's chances
"Their batters are patient to the point that it's annoying." -Ryan Franklin
by Helloooo 1st on Nov 24, 2008 9:54 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
of hitting .280?
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 Nov 24, 2008 10:00 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
That too
"Their batters are patient to the point that it's annoying." -Ryan Franklin
by Helloooo 1st on Nov 25, 2008 1:26 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
If you're making Cust play 1B
then you might as well sign Giambi.
"Their batters are patient to the point that it's annoying." -Ryan Franklin
by Helloooo 1st on Nov 24, 2008 10:29 AM PST reply actions 0 recs
Aside from Cust being more productive and costing about 10M less?
by mikev on Nov 24, 2008 10:33 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
so you would rather
have a worse hitter at DH if cust really was somehow going to play first, an idea that i’m sure many, many coaches have had before and it obviously didn’t work out?
"If you hit .440 with 20 bombs, you don't have to do s---. You don't have to bring a glove to practice, just hit and leave whenever you want. You can bring a 40 and smoke a cigarette and call me from the parking lot asking me what time the game is, and I'll tell you. You can even say 'F--- you, Steve!' Actually, don't say that, that wouldn't be very nice." -Steve Friend, Head Coach, Chabot College Gladiators Baseball
by flipgatey3 on Nov 24, 2008 11:02 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Well, I don't think he should play 1B.
I just don’t understand “might as well just sign Giambi”
by mikev on Nov 24, 2008 12:15 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
I don't mean do both
as in put cust at first AND sign Giambi. I meant that if you’re considering Cust at 1B, you’d be better off leaving him at DH and signing Giambi.
"Their batters are patient to the point that it's annoying." -Ryan Franklin
by Helloooo 1st on Nov 24, 2008 12:18 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
There's a reason
the Cust at 1B experiment has always failed. He. Can’t. Play. There. Cust at DH and Giambi at 1B > Cust at 1B and Thomas at DH by a verrry large margin.
"Their batters are patient to the point that it's annoying." -Ryan Franklin
by Helloooo 1st on Nov 24, 2008 12:16 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Just move Holliday to 1B.
Children, until we have taught them better, will be perfectly happy with a seasonal round of games in which conkers succeeds hopscotch.
by salb918 on Nov 24, 2008 10:33 AM PST reply actions 0 recs
Holliday is like a +10 left fielder
That would be a mind-bogglingly bad idea.
Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.
by PaulThomas on Nov 24, 2008 11:36 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
So is fetishizing RH sluggers.
Children, until we have taught them better, will be perfectly happy with a seasonal round of games in which conkers succeeds hopscotch.
by salb918 on Nov 24, 2008 11:38 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Why can't Holliday play both LF and 1B ?
"Whether you think you can, or you think you can't, either way, YOU'RE RIGHT !"
by Eastbayjim on Nov 24, 2008 12:03 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Why can't Cust just bat right-handed?
All problems solved.
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 Nov 24, 2008 4:19 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
We need Felix Pie
I’d love a Holliday Pie Cust outfield
au contra ire
by JediLeroy on Nov 24, 2008 9:22 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Sounds DeFilicious
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 Nov 24, 2008 9:35 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Boy, talk about not getting any
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 Nov 24, 2008 9:39 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
You know
I was really hoping adding Matt Holliday would end the “right handed bat” fetish on this site.
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 Nov 24, 2008 10:35 AM PST reply actions 1 recs
+1
"If you hit .440 with 20 bombs, you don't have to do s---. You don't have to bring a glove to practice, just hit and leave whenever you want. You can bring a 40 and smoke a cigarette and call me from the parking lot asking me what time the game is, and I'll tell you. You can even say 'F--- you, Steve!' Actually, don't say that, that wouldn't be very nice." -Steve Friend, Head Coach, Chabot College Gladiators Baseball
by flipgatey3 on Nov 24, 2008 11:03 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
never underestimate random people on the internet
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 Nov 24, 2008 11:09 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Yeah, unless you assume
that Chavvy bounces back and gets healthy, the team has two power hitters. One is a righty, one is a lefty.
Suzuki R
Barton L
Ellis R
Crosby/Furcal R/S
Chavez L
Holliday R
Sweeney L
Buck/Cunningham/Davis/Murton/Denorfia L/R/R/R/R
Cust L
That’s a pretty well balanced team … L/R-wise …
"It's for your own good. Big strong Devo knows whats best for Poppy" -- Mossback
by devo on Nov 24, 2008 11:21 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
I think that Cust guy has a little pop, too.
by mikev on Nov 24, 2008 12:16 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Unless ...
I’m not assuming Chavvy does — Cust is the lefty power hitter to mirror Holliday …
"It's for your own good. Big strong Devo knows whats best for Poppy" -- Mossback
by devo on Nov 24, 2008 12:18 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Hence the "unless Chavvy bounces back"
"Their batters are patient to the point that it's annoying." -Ryan Franklin
by Helloooo 1st on Nov 24, 2008 12:19 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
If Giambi signs
you’ll be looking at Holliday, Giambi, Cust, Chavez —
by BlueMoon on Nov 24, 2008 11:12 AM PST reply actions 0 recs
[Insert my repetitive "please stop mentioning Giambi, he makes no sense at all" post here]
"There's never enough time to do all the nothing you want" -Bill Watterson
by nevermoor on Nov 24, 2008 11:23 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Agree, lets forget Giambi
Charlie Brown GO A'S WIN
by Charlie Brown on Nov 24, 2008 12:55 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
lightning never strikes the same place twice
"This is Rickey, calling on behalf of Rickey."
by scatterbrian on Nov 24, 2008 2:01 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
wait, Jack Cust at first?
i’d change my tickets to right field so i can catch the pickoff attempts as they sail past him.
it’d be as car crash-tastic as twilight.
and,as much as i’d like to see twilight two (in the midnight hour?), it’s probably not the tone that they’re going for this season
BB should send scouts to watch cricket players.
by alea iacta est on Nov 24, 2008 11:26 AM PST reply actions 0 recs
If we get Furcal, the lineup is pretty solid
Furcal
Buck
Cust
Holliday
Sweeney
Chavez
Ellis
Suzuki
Barton
…or something of the sort.
"A’s baseball….It’s almost better than a stick in the eye." ~ alox
by Gallagher's Watermelons on Nov 24, 2008 1:13 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
I more or less agree with your projected line-up
which puts Barton batting 9th. I have a problem with 1b batting 9th. Should be a power bat in that position. My suggestion of putting Cust at 1st is that he is young and healthy, a poor outfielder — hate to see him occupying the DH slot regularly.
by BlueMoon on Nov 24, 2008 2:22 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Why does it matter what position he plays?
Ok, well the answer to that is simple enough —because it SHOULD be most cost efficient to upgrade there.
The only problem is, with the options suggested, it isn’t. (Perhaps we can find the second coming of Carlos Pena or something along those lines, that would be super) Giambi, if he has to play D, is only marginally better than Barton, for a huge difference in salary. Cust has shown time and time again that he cannot play 1b. What’s his biggest problem in the OF? It’s that he isn’t actually very good at catching the ball. That’s a bad problem for a 1b to have, given that catching the ball is his only real responsibility.
With the exception of Troy Glaus, none of the 3b options are really upgrades. Troy Glaus is going to cost, either north of $12m or require a long term contract if he’s going to opt out of his current contract. Otherwise he’d need prospects to be pried loose from StL.
Frank Thomas is done. Stick a fork in’em.
Byrnes? Seriously?
"It's for your own good. Big strong Devo knows whats best for Poppy" -- Mossback
by devo on Nov 24, 2008 3:54 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
so if Giambi is redundant with Cust/Chavez on the A's
doesn’t that make the whole Yankees team a redundancy since they are all good hitters? Good hitters don’t have very big differences in their splits, it doesn’t matter what side of the plate they are on. Giambi is still an above average hitter when facing LHP’s, and even better against RHP’s of course.
'That's something we do...thirteen hits and not score'-Terrence Long
by DyeLongJustice on Nov 24, 2008 2:11 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
And age-related decline in offensive skill
"There's never enough time to do all the nothing you want" -Bill Watterson
by nevermoor on Nov 24, 2008 2:18 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
fair enough, i just wanted to argue that there really isn't such a thing as redundancy
unless the players in question all play the same position, and it isn’t the pitcher’s position. Mike Jacobs to the Royals was a redundancy. Giambi to the A’s isn’t one.
'That's something we do...thirteen hits and not score'-Terrence Long
by DyeLongJustice on Nov 24, 2008 2:29 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Not to Cust/Chavez
But to Barton/Cust because Giambi is a DH who will stand near 1B if you tell him too (and look marginally better doing it than I would)
"There's never enough time to do all the nothing you want" -Bill Watterson
by nevermoor on Nov 24, 2008 2:53 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
did you just say Giambi looks good?
lol
'That's something we do...thirteen hits and not score'-Terrence Long
by DyeLongJustice on Nov 24, 2008 4:19 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
i dug the mustache
Save Rajai Davis
by oakinboston on Nov 24, 2008 5:11 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
i dug the golden man thong
'That's something we do...thirteen hits and not score'-Terrence Long
by DyeLongJustice on Nov 24, 2008 8:03 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
So... then should we just sign Adam Dunn then and be done with it?
facepalm.jpg
by Zonis on Nov 24, 2008 4:40 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
(you have to admit, it would be either very interesting or very frustrating to watch Adam Dunn and Jack Cust bat back to back)
But how’s this for a lineup
L RF Travis Buck
R SS Rafael Furcal
L 1B Adam Dunn
R LF Matt Holliday
L DH Jack Cust
L 3B Eric Chavez
R CF Aaron Cunningham
R C1 Kurt Suzuki
R 2B Mark Ellis
facepalm.jpg
by Zonis on Nov 24, 2008 4:48 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
There are worse lineups you could 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 Nov 24, 2008 4:54 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
9 true outcomes?
Save Rajai Davis
by oakinboston on Nov 24, 2008 8:46 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Was Greg Smith a "3 true outcome" pitcher?
Walk, fly out, or pickoff.
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 Nov 24, 2008 8:47 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
playing new positions that you've never played before...
not nearly as simple as many, many fans think.
Some people think that, as long as a player is at one of the lowest rungs of the positional spectrum, he should be fine with any (seemingly) lateral position switch.
There’s a pretty big difference between left field and first base. There’s also quite a difference between the ground balls we fielded in Little League and high school and the ones that a Major League first baseman has to handle.
Personally I think that Cust, Burrell, and perhaps even Dunn would be an absolute nightmare as an every day first baseman. I think that all three would be worse defensively than Giambi in ’09.
Giambi is a bad defensive first baseman. But he’s also played almost 10,000 innings there in his career. Dunn has played less than 1,000, Burrell played 500 about seven years ago and hasn’t played it since, and Cust hasn’t played it at all.
So Giambi has 10 times as much major league experience at the position as Burrell does. That might count for something. And again, I’m acknowledging that he’s bad. But we don’t have a full season worth of Dunn/Burrell/Cust data at first base to know if they might actually be worse. Like, Ryan Braun at third in ’07 bad. And given their lack of experience, they very well might be.
"I'll make a list for the record. These people should be trusted: Sal, andeux, rfloh, danny...and no one else. Certainly not me. And even extra super-certainly not NSJ."
by notsellingjeans on Nov 24, 2008 5:02 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
Similarly with Barton at 3B,
all we know for sure is:
1. The last time he tried playing 3B he was so bad they had to move him.
2. He hasn’t been over there for two years.
I’m thinking that’s not the “good bet” many are hoping for just because he has improved a lot at 1B.
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 Nov 24, 2008 5:08 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Watch out for monkeyball and his zamboni
The monster at the end of this blog.
by grover on Nov 24, 2008 9:28 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
I've heard it's second only to his spumoni
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 Nov 24, 2008 9:35 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Only 'cause he messed up the rigatoni
The monster at the end of this blog.
by grover on Nov 24, 2008 9:48 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Next-a, he'll a-try to rig a-Guido!
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 Nov 24, 2008 9:50 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Dammit! I didn't realize we could substitute consonants!
The monster at the end of this blog.
by grover on Nov 24, 2008 10:08 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
insert inevitable Scott Hatteberg counter-point
facepalm.jpg
by Zonis on Nov 24, 2008 5:19 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Hatteberg is not a good comparison
He had spent his whole life catching – i.e., grabbing 90 mile projectiles in the dirt from 60 feet away. That’s pretty good training for picking balls at first base.
Left field is a much different animal.
"I'll make a list for the record. These people should be trusted: Sal, andeux, rfloh, danny...and no one else. Certainly not me. And even extra super-certainly not NSJ."
by notsellingjeans on Nov 24, 2008 6:18 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Barton spent an awful long time doing the same as Hatteberg.
He’s a converted catcher too, remember?
by mikev on Nov 24, 2008 10:13 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
yep
he’s a good defensive first baseman, too. The guys in that group above are converted left fielders.
"I'll make a list for the record. These people should be trusted: Sal, andeux, rfloh, danny...and no one else. Certainly not me. And even extra super-certainly not NSJ."
by notsellingjeans on Nov 25, 2008 6:32 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
i don't comment here much
but have most people here lost confidence in Daric Barton?
Adopted Giant: Aaron King
Wearing the crown by 2011. Or at least the LOOGY hat
by baetown415 on Nov 24, 2008 5:53 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
Speaking only for myself (and maybe Cindi),
I still think Barton could evolve into a high average/high OBP hitter. My concern is that even if he clears one hurdle and becomes what he “should be,” he still won’t provide the kind of power you associate with 1B. This means either you need to get superior slugging at a position you don’t usually get it from, or you become a light-power hitting team.
I certainly don’t think Barton will ever be a 20-25 HR hitter – maybe a 40-50 doubles hitter, which would be great. But that’s his ceiling; most likely he’ll provide a relatively high OBP but relatively low SLG.
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 Nov 24, 2008 6:47 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
ah, you underestimate the power of mr. stitches.
if he can fearlessly dive headfirst into a pool, whats to stop him from developing that same technique on something more forgiving than a concrete pool bottom, like say dirt? In light of that amazing Rickey post by 67Marquez, I predict Barton solidifies himself as the next great 1b by stealing 131 bases next year…without stitches.
'That's something we do...thirteen hits and not score'-Terrence Long
by DyeLongJustice on Nov 24, 2008 8:11 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
you are right.
I guess all the goofy kids on this blog don’t know the history of players converting to 1b after they get older,suffer an injury etc. Worked out fine for 100 years. Pete Rose, Joe Torre, Harmon Killebrew etc.
by BlueMoon on Nov 25, 2008 8:22 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
I'm having difficulty finding the RH slugging firstbaseman position on the lineup card
Please help.
by SkipT on Nov 24, 2008 10:09 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
He's fourth
Runner
Bunter/Derek Jeter
High Average Guy
Right Handed Slugging First Baseman
Derek Jeter
Derek Jeter
Derek Jeter
Derek Jeter
Derek Jeter
au contra ire
by JediLeroy on Nov 24, 2008 10:52 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
I think we might be missing gritty veteran corner outfielder
by SkipT on Nov 25, 2008 1:09 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Garret Anderson's not "gritty," he's black!
Don’t you know your pseudo-racialized player stereotypes?
Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.
by PaulThomas on Nov 25, 2008 8:32 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
RH/SH 1b who slugged >.450
Pujols
Cabrera
Youk
Berkman
Teix
Atkins
D. Lee
Mike Jacobs
Cantu
Of those, the top 4 are untouchable. Teix is a FA. Atkins and maybe DLee are available but really expensive in terms of prospects. Cantu will play 2b/3b for the Marlins. Jacobs was already traded this offseason. So it sounds like you want the A’s to sign Tex or trade a boatload of prospects for Lee or Atkins.
I’d much rather the A’s go with Barton or sign Giambi, lefthandedness and all.
"Loyal? I'm the most loyal player money can buy." - Don Sutton
by vignette17 on Nov 25, 2008 1:48 AM PST reply actions 0 recs
Barton could also end up in a platoon
With Baisley or the 32-year-old dude we picked up off waivers. Dillon(?) I think is his name.
"I'll make a list for the record. These people should be trusted: Sal, andeux, rfloh, danny...and no one else. Certainly not me. And even extra super-certainly not NSJ."
by notsellingjeans on Nov 25, 2008 6:35 AM PST reply actions 0 recs
Or Jesus Guzman
No, wait.
Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.
by PaulThomas on Nov 25, 2008 7:35 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
I keep hearing Konerko is on the block
He didn’t do that well last year… but has been a solid commodity in the past.
The Stockton Ports pitching staff is better than the Orioles.
by gdub171 on Nov 25, 2008 8:43 AM PST reply actions 0 recs
He could hold down 1b until
Carter is ready. I like it. Maybe give them Gio and Faustas back?
by BlueMoon on Nov 25, 2008 11:57 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Hellz no
Konerko is done. He’s Richie Sexson wearing a White Sox costume.
I wouldn’t even claim him on waivers, much less surrender talent for him.
Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.
by PaulThomas on Nov 25, 2008 12:23 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
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