A's Sign some ML Free Agents

Don't be fooled by Albuquerque batting lines

.300 average, .500 slugging is pretty much par for the course there. He’s a backup in case Barton and any other 1B candidates go down.

The real potential steal here is Hunton, who was talked about at Beyond the Boxscore. He’s a huge dude with an interesting fastball.

Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.

by PaulThomas on Dec 1, 2008 1:42 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

hmmm...

I wonder what great batting lines look like from Albuquerque AAA players who are now playing in the bigs. Would that be an appropriate comparison?

Do we have home/road splits?

The Maharg makes me look like an idiot.

by carp on Dec 1, 2008 3:42 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Go to firstinning.com

Excellent site. They have great breakdowns for minor league park factors.

I don’t have a good major-league comp for you, but take a look at what Val Pascucci and Dallas McPherson have done over the course of their careers…and then look at what they’ve done in Albaquerquequeque.

That’s a pretty good indicator of Paul’s point. If I’m not mistaken, the Isotopes’ park is the best hitters’ park in professional baseball.

"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 Dec 1, 2008 7:47 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

thanks NSJ! I'll check that out.

The Maharg makes me look like an idiot.

by carp on Dec 1, 2008 9:15 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Less than a hit every other inning will get my attention

Especially when the BB totals are low.

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 Dec 1, 2008 7:08 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Yikes @ formatting

But a .306/.382/.569 is a good year.

Of course, he’s going into his age 29 season and has been in AAA forever.

The only positive is that if he’s the Barton backup it makes the horrible Giambi rumors less likely.

"There's never enough time to do all the nothing you want" -Bill Watterson

by nevermoor on Dec 1, 2008 1:44 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

HAHAHAH TAGG BOZEID!!!

He was the next great thing like 8 years ago.

by mikev on Dec 1, 2008 1:49 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

that's a nice AAA line

whether that means his Dan Johnson/Graham Koonce I’m not sure.

I played against him in college…he took one deep off the foul pole…it was one of those high arching majestic homers with a 30 second hang time.

At the time, it reminded me of Big Mac…

The Maharg makes me look like an idiot.

by carp on Dec 1, 2008 3:40 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Scouting photo

Tagg is in here somewhere:

He’s probably about the same as Bankston.

The A's colors are green and gold.

by mikeA on Dec 1, 2008 1:58 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Interesting photo.

Especially considering that only one of the adult males is married.

(Mitt, the alpha male, is seated at the head of the household)

The meaning of life is not so much 'found,' as it is 'made.' --Opus

by The Dogfather on Dec 1, 2008 4:46 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Kevin Cameron is my favorite

He was a Rule 5 pick for San Diego a couple years ago, and was actually solid. He doesn’t have the greatest control, but he’s got solid stuff. 1.30 GO/AO ratio in 2007 for the Padres. I have no problem with him as a possible bullpen piece if someone gets hurt.

"A’s baseball….It’s almost better than a stick in the eye." ~ alox

by Gallagher's Watermelons on Dec 1, 2008 2:18 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

+1

i was surprised he wasn’t in the bullpen with them much this year

"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 Dec 1, 2008 6:08 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Doesn't he have a ridiculous slider?

Cameron strikes me as the new Gaudin. Undervalued reliever with a great slider.

"A’s baseball….It’s almost better than a stick in the eye." ~ alox

by Gallagher's Watermelons on Dec 1, 2008 9:01 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Does he have hair on his face only where it doesn't belong?

That’s kind of a prerequisite for any Gaudin-comp.

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 Dec 1, 2008 9:19 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Seems like more of a Dustin Hermanson comp

"A’s baseball….It’s almost better than a stick in the eye." ~ alox

by Gallagher's Watermelons on Dec 1, 2008 10:01 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Goatee sculpting gone wrong

I am Ray Fosse's infatuations with Clay Wood and high-definition television.

by franks a lot on Dec 2, 2008 6:51 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Is that a Dharma Initiative Goatee?

au contra ire

by JediLeroy on Dec 2, 2008 11:02 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Dharma?

Greg?

"A’s baseball….It’s almost better than a stick in the eye." ~ alox

by Gallagher's Watermelons on Dec 3, 2008 1:14 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Apparently he was injured. Great pickup though.

"A’s baseball….It’s almost better than a stick in the eye." ~ alox

by Gallagher's Watermelons on Dec 2, 2008 6:38 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Bullpen depth FTW!

Hunton looks good, btw.

I know that's a pisser, baby.

by Blicks on Dec 1, 2008 3:06 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Unless I'm finding the wrong information,

Hunton is gigantic. It says he’s 6’ 9". And those K numbers are ridiculous, even though they were Independent League stats.

"A’s baseball….It’s almost better than a stick in the eye." ~ alox

by Gallagher's Watermelons on Dec 1, 2008 3:39 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

schroder, cameron have some mlb experience

which is good with the current bp’s depth but lack of trackrecord

by Asfan4ever723 on Dec 1, 2008 3:32 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Agreed.

That gives us plenty of bullpen options.

Schroeder
Cameron
Devine
Ziegler
Blevins
Casilla
Brown
Whoever doesn’t start out of Outman, Gonzalez, Braden
Gray

We also might be offering arbitration to Embree. That’s tons of options. We should be able to find some kind of balance in there.

I have a feeling our Rule 5 pick wasn’t going to be a pitcher anyway. Skelton, Jordan Brown, Daniel Mayora, and Corey Wimberly are all interesting position player candidates. I think Wimberly is very interesting; he’s like Pennington, but faster and not quite as good at getting on base. Still, he could be an interesting backup if we don’t keep Davis around. He’s got amazing speed (59 SB last year), and he showed improved on-base ability last year, upping his walk total from 19 in 2007 to 41 in 2008. Power? No. Possible backup infielder candidate? Yes.

"A’s baseball….It’s almost better than a stick in the eye." ~ alox

by Gallagher's Watermelons on Dec 1, 2008 3:46 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Like the Hunton signing

Still young enough to have upside.

Bozied is nice in that he’ll help Sacramento continue to be one of AAA’s premier organizations. Cameron’s much the same, though I suppose he could be capable in the majors in a pinch. Carson looks like Sac depth.

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 Dec 1, 2008 4:03 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

I've watched Tag Bozied Play

when he was in Portland. I watched probably 25+ games that year here in Portland. His potential has been stumped be a couple injuries. I think he has some upside. I wouldn’t count on anything from him in Oakland, but he could turn into a surprise player if he gets some pt due to injuries this season.

by bdemartin on Dec 1, 2008 4:05 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

good post

realistic

"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 Dec 1, 2008 6:09 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Bozied is the man and

No doubt the guy can handle a bat. How great would it be to see him live up to some of his old potential.

by son of wes on Dec 2, 2008 10:29 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

i'm a huge bozied fan

just for the fact that he’s a great guy. i remember when i went to a usf-stanford game for my 11th birthday (i think it was), bozied autographed my baseball and talked to me for 10 minutes, after he had to clean things up in the dugout. conversely, carlos quentin blew me off. funny how that works out, and it’s a shame that bozied has hurt his knees, amongst other things. that guy would have done great being a star. great guy.

"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 Dec 1, 2008 6:06 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

+1 on Cargon

Just watching him, I got the feeling that he felt he was the s*&^. I mean, sure he’s good in the minors but who gives a crap about that, from a fan’s perspective? I mean, lots of dudes do well in the minors and never pan out in the majors. He is too young to be acting like the next Manny/Terrel Owens/whoever else. Prove it before you act like it.

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

by DyeLongJustice on Dec 1, 2008 6:38 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

OT Cargon flame much?

"There's never enough time to do all the nothing you want" -Bill Watterson

by nevermoor on Dec 1, 2008 7:22 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Are we talking about

“CarGon” or “CarQuen”? I can’t tell.

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 Dec 1, 2008 7:42 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

-1 for getting the wrong C-los

The Maharg makes me look like an idiot.

by carp on Dec 1, 2008 9:14 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

And he wasn't even clos

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 Dec 1, 2008 9:19 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

actually

i am totally against what you just said about “prove it before you act like it”. one of my favorite movies is boiler room. when i was playing ball at chabot, our hitting coach made us watch the scene where ben affleck comes into the room and gives his “ACT AS IF” speech.

success breeds confidence, but so does confidence.

it wasn’t this scene, but this one is awesome too. nsfw (language)

and i meant quentin. no big.

"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 Dec 1, 2008 11:13 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

There's a big difference b/w confidence and cockiness.

Jon Garland, pleasepleaseplease accept arbitration. Your mad iNNiNgZ eAtEr sKiLLz will be greater exemplified in next year's free agent class. kthxbai.

by Blicks on Dec 2, 2008 11:11 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

sure, maybe

but i would much rather have a group of guys who are telling themselves they are great than a group of guys who doubt about whether they are or not. i’m not saying be an asshole, but i definitely am saying to “act as if.” the more you tell yourself you’re great, the more you’ll believe it.

"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 Dec 4, 2008 12:00 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

is this the same coach...

who tells 18-19 year-olds that you can skip practice to go drink and smoke if you’re good enough to dominate junior college pitching?

"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 Dec 2, 2008 2:29 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

nope

that would be our head coach. that was one of the best rants ever though.

"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 Dec 3, 2008 11:58 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Tagg Bozied. That's a cool name.

by whiteshoes40 on Dec 1, 2008 9:41 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

For a grafitti artist, maybe

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 Dec 1, 2008 9:47 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Not as cool as Elihoref Suniaga

Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.

by PaulThomas on Dec 1, 2008 9:51 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I tried that backwards and it wasn't any stranger

“Again us” is kind of neat, though.

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 Dec 1, 2008 9:55 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Names that are equally strange forwards and backwards

Palindromes.

by green star oakland on Dec 1, 2008 11:23 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

In girum imus nocte et consumimur igni.

"I'm going to take a camera crew and march into Billy Beane's office and demand to know why instituting his newfangled cost-saving measures means that the run manufacturing plant had to get shut down." FJM

by Elvez on Dec 2, 2008 10:00 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Like

girt, repip, lotsirb, wolliw, and kcart?

Thanks for tomorrow 'cause I've had enough

by andeux on Dec 2, 2008 10:03 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

::wink::

by thejd44 on Dec 2, 2008 3:41 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Rikkert Faneyte

"A’s baseball….It’s almost better than a stick in the eye." ~ alox

by Gallagher's Watermelons on Dec 1, 2008 10:01 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Hunton thoughts

His career is interesting, and a bit bizarre. He was mediocre with the Cubs for three seasons, and then bounced around independent teams for a while. He’s been great, but I don’t know how good the American Association or Atlantic League are relative to affiliated minor league teams.

Of course I have no qualms about a ML free agent signing. It can’t possibly be bad unless Hunton is known for killing teammates or something. I just don’t know if this guy is any good.

I do wonder why the Cubs would’ve dropped him after just three seasons.

by thejd44 on Dec 2, 2008 3:40 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

I like the Cameron signing

Cameron had a successful 2007 for the San Diego Padres, 58 IP, 2.79 ERA, 3.38 FIP, 50:36 K:BB. He was able to keep the FIP low despite a lot of walks because he allowed no HR, and has let to allow one in 68 IP in the majors.

He went down with an elbow injury in May 2008 and was sent down to San Diego’s AAA Portland Beavers. He made 15 appearances, 18.2 IP, 1.93 ERA, and 9:6 K:BB and still no HR allowed, a streak of at least 88.2 IP (he allowed 2 HR in 2006 but don’t know when). Can’t ask for much more in terms of keeping the ball in the park.

Cameron is a two pitch pitcher, a cutter and slider. The cutter was sitting around 92-93 in 2007, don’t know how much the elbow injury took off it. It is very straight, but has decent vertical movement. (See graph below, courtesy of Josh Kalk’s pitchf/x site).

The key though is how it works with his money pitch, the slider. He only threw it about 15% of the time in 2007 in pitcher’s counts for the most part, but it averages over half a foot of vertical break. The scatter plot shows how it can be deceiving when combined with the cutter, especially coming in about 10 mph slower.

There are a few openings in Oakland’s bullpen next year and I would not be surprised to see Cameron in it in April.

Can't get enough of the Oakland A's or Golden State Warriors? Visit Oaktown Awesomer's and Golden Stat Hoops

by iamawesomer on Dec 2, 2008 6:44 PM PST reply actions 0 recs