Movin' On
by AEP2007 on Dec 16, 2008 9:25 AM PST
63 comments
I'm not going to rehash the events as they unfolded pertaining to the whole Furcal situation. I, instead, would like to take a look at possible options the Oakland organization has moving forward. Primarily pertaining to 2010 and beyond. I'm ont upset that Furcal will not be joining the A's because of his recent back injury. Fourty million dollars may be chump change to teams like Boston and both New Yorks, but it is a hell of a lot of money to the A's. In addition, I'm not one to condone the signing of Orlando Cabrera. From what I've heard, dude has serious attitude/character issues. The young guys that will be coming up to the majors over the next several years need positive influences from guys like Mark Ellis.
I've compiled a list of minor league shortstops that have played at AA or higher(because they are the guys that have a legitimate shot at contributing in 2010). I will attemp to stay as nuetral as possbile because I would like to see who the AN community thinks would be a good option and whether or not they are reasonably attainable.
AAA Candidates:
Reid Brignac (TB)
Jason Donald (PHI)
Brandon Wood (LAA)
Chin-lung Hu (LAD)
AA Candidates:
Elvis Andrus (TEX)
Alcides Escobar (MIL)
Chris Valaika (CIN)
Ivan De Jesus (LAD)
In additiion to the minor league candidates, there are some possibilities at the major league level also.
MLB Candidates:
Stephen Drew (ARZ)
J.J. Hardy (MIL)
Jhonny Peralta (CLE)
Yunel Escobar (ATL)
Troy Tulowitzki (COL)
Miguel Tejada (HOU)
Orlando Cabrera (Type-B Free Agent)
Jeff Keppinger (CIN)
Brent Lillibridge (CHW)
Asdrubal Cabrera (CLE)
I'm sure I've missed a couple of guys. I was primarily attempting to gather all the names that have floated around on this site over the past year to year and a half. So if I missed someone, I apologize.
What does AN think about this list of possibilites? Should Billy Beane continue to try to compete in 2009 even if it potentially jeopardizes some of the teams future (Cahill and Anderson)? Or should he attempt to acquire a lesser prospect and target 2010 to 2012 as the powerhouse years?
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Knowing Billy...
Other seems as feasible as the rest.
Who needs homeruns?
by robber23 on Dec 16, 2008 9:48 AM PST reply actions 0 recs
Yunel Escobar, Asdrubal Cabrera, JJ Hardy
In that order.
by mikev on Dec 16, 2008 9:57 AM PST reply actions 0 recs
I'd like Escobar but
The Braves probably have plans to trade him already(Peavy) or would want more than just the prospects we would offer. Hardy would be nice but might be too expensive. At least we’re not hearing about an Orlando Cabrera signing.
by T-Money on Dec 16, 2008 11:09 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
The Braves/Peavy talks fell through once already.
Reportedly because of the two guys Atlanta would be sending to San Diego in addition to Escobar and Gorkys Hernandez.
It’s been awhile since Billy nudged his way into a trade. Why not get together with Towers and Wren, get Escobar coming to Oakland, Peavy to Atlanta, Gorkys Hernandez to San Diego, and prospects from Oakland to San Diego?
Padres get what they want – Peavy dealt, payroll reduced
Atlanta gets their starter and only has to give up Escobar and Hernandez… less than what they were going to give up before.
Oakland gets their shortstop.
by mikev on Dec 16, 2008 1:47 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Trade Holliday and Duke for Escobar
Pick up some of their salaries.
Would ATL accept this? Do they have room in their OF? Would this be better/more realistic than peavy/greinke?
Cust is the new Jaha.
by johnjahafanclub on Dec 16, 2008 11:40 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Other
Make a trade for a young inexpensive SS that is Major League ready. Take the money that was being thrown at Furcal and add it the pot to re sign Matt Holiday at the end of the season.
by bdemartin on Dec 16, 2008 10:06 AM PST reply actions 0 recs
The key now, has to be Milwaukee
They have a good SS now in Hardy, and a really good looking prospect in Escobar.
They certainly have needs, esp in replacing the SP they lost and will loose.
The A’s should match up quite nicely with Milwaukee as a trading partner.
Milwaukee might feel they need one more year before Escobar is ready.
No problem for the A’s we could trade them Crosby which they could use to make sure Escobar is ready, and pitching to make up the difference.
Say Eveland & Rodriguez with Crosby for Hardy.
Is one year of Crosby, five years of Eveland, and six years of Rodriguez too much for two years of Hardy?
by Hang Man on Dec 16, 2008 10:34 AM PST reply actions 0 recs
God I wish....
Say Eveland & Rodriguez with Crosby for Hardy.
C´mon the Brewers arent that stupid
Clear its radiance shine...
by ATarHeel on Dec 16, 2008 10:36 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
I'm not sure that trading Eveland would be a good idea.
There’s nobody ready to take his place.
Maybe something along the lines of Crosby (if they want him), with Rodriguez, Simmons, and Corey Brown.
by mikev on Dec 16, 2008 10:45 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Well, it is the pitching they need...
I don’t want to give up any of our starters just for the reason you are giving, but I am in venting mode right now after “he who wont be mentioned” went to the Braves.
I don’t really want to give up any of our future we worked so hard to build up, but we are not getting Hardy for nothing.
Would it be less expensive to wait a year, play Crosby out, and try to pick up Hardy with only one year left of control?
But what kind of signal does that send to Holliday? How do we even hope to sign him to an extension when we don’t show that we will do what it takes to win with him?
by Hang Man on Dec 16, 2008 10:51 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Thinning out the pitching at the big league level isn't showing that we'll do what it takes to win.
The pitching strength in the organization is in the minors, not at the MLB level. Dealing from strength, in this case, would mean dealing some of the minor league pitching.
by mikev on Dec 16, 2008 10:56 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Getting Hardy
would be too expensive, Im sure the Brewers would be asking for Cahil or Anderson or no deal gets done
Clear its radiance shine...
by ATarHeel on Dec 16, 2008 10:59 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
I'm sure they would.
And if Hardy was pre-arbitration I’d do it, but with only 2 years left before Free Agency I’m not giving up either of them.
by mikev on Dec 16, 2008 11:08 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
but all the spam I get says getting Hardy is quite affordable
I'll send you a postcard from Space Mountain. @('.')@
by monkeyball on Dec 16, 2008 11:43 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
The Brewers already gave up on Eveland
Why take him back now?
by thejd44 on Dec 16, 2008 11:28 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
They already had Eveland, remember?
Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.
by PaulThomas on Dec 16, 2008 1:07 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
This is what I am referring to:
MLB.com
“The Brewers are much more in need of pitching today than they were at this time last year. CC Sabathia has already signed a free-agent deal with the Yankees and Ben Sheets might follow, leaving 22-year-old Yovani Gallardo as the Brewers’ ace and 26-year-old Manny Parra its only left-handed starter.”
They have a SS who should be ready in a year / we have a SS to carry them to that point.
They need Left handed Starting pitching / we happen to have a supply of LHSP.
Brewers named Ken Macha as their choice for Manager. Macha always seemed to like Crosby.
We seem to have two strengths, Pitching and Outfielders. One one glaring weakness, SS.
Turn the table. Your the GM of the Brewers. How do you solve your pitching problem?
by Hang Man on Dec 16, 2008 11:12 AM PST reply actions 0 recs
You're missing a huge, HUGE point.
The pitching strength Oakland has is in the minor leagues.
by mikev on Dec 16, 2008 1:47 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
trade Hardy for pitching
you’re offering Dana Eveland and Henry Rodriguez. What are HR’s expectations?
by Lovejoy on Dec 19, 2008 10:15 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
wow
Judging by the polls, it doesn’t look like O-Cab is a very popular option. I believe we should pursue a young shortstop in a trade, but i definitely don’t want to give up Cahill or Anderson. I would assume that most likely takes Y. Escobar, J.J. Hardy and probably a couple others out of the list of possbilities.
I would like to see the A’s make a run at Reid Brignac or Jason Donald. Brignac had a down year, so his stock seems to be down a little at the moment. The only problem there is whether or not TB will let him go. I can see them holding on to him for a couple of years until Tim Beckham is ready. As far as Jason Donald, he is blocked at the SS position, but the Phillies may opt to try him in the outfield because he does seem to have a pretty good bat. Admittedly, I’m not very familiar with other team’s farm systems, but these two seem to be possibilites.
by AEP2007 on Dec 16, 2008 11:16 AM PST reply actions 0 recs
I voted for Cabrera
Does he suck as an option? Yes. Absolutely. Every option other than Furcal sucks, unless we fantasize up insanely generous trade deals from GMs with extra shortstops. Cabrera sucks the least.
Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.
by PaulThomas on Dec 16, 2008 1:08 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
I wasn't crazy
about the Furcal option. I’m sure you’ve already heard all the arguments against him from other sources, so I won’t get into that. Besides, it doesn’t really matter anymore anyway. Personally, I would prefer them trade for a younger ss and keep building towards 2010 and beyond. Everyone who has MLB time or is MLB ready is going to be extremely expensive. I said in a previous post that I would like for the A’s to inquire about Brignac. The more I think about it though, I just don’t think TB is going to part with him. Regarding O. Cabrera, I would be much more for signing him if the draft pick wasn’t involved.
by AEP2007 on Dec 16, 2008 2:00 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
I'd take Bartlett if the Rays won't trade Brignac
It's not the results, it's how you look going about those results -- Tim McCarver
by WaddellCanseco on Dec 16, 2008 5:34 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Yeah
I would too. Just as long as the price wasn’t too steep.
by AEP2007 on Dec 17, 2008 5:40 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
But he's the ZOMG MVP!!!1!
Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.
by PaulThomas on Dec 17, 2008 8:48 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
More from the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel:
"Brewers general manager Doug Melvin just reeled off the names on the list of pitchers he is interested in and here they are, almost all older lefties:
LHP Randy Johnson, 45
LHP Jamie Moyer, 46
LHP Randy Wolf, 32
RHP John Smoltz, 41"
by Hang Man on Dec 16, 2008 11:22 AM PST reply actions 0 recs
Well, Moyer re-signed with Philly
So that won’t happen.
by thejd44 on Dec 16, 2008 11:28 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Sign Randy Johnson
then trade him, Crosby and Simmons for Hardy. Hah!
by AEP2007 on Dec 16, 2008 11:38 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
John Smoltz is only slightly taller than salb918?
I'll send you a postcard from Space Mountain. @('.')@
by monkeyball on Dec 16, 2008 2:14 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
More from MLB.com 12/4/08
Who they can or need to trade:
SS J.J. Hardy or Alcides Escobar: The Brewers have their best positional depth at shortstop, a position of need for a number of teams in baseball, so a trade could make some sense if it can net some pitching. Hardy has one of the National League’s best shortstop arms and has hit 50 home runs over the past two seasons, but Escobar is even better defensively and batted .328 with 34 stolen bases at Double-A Huntsville in 2008. Hardy has only two seasons left before free agency. Given his youth and promise, it would be shocking to see Melvin trade Escobar.
If the Brewers do not trade either player, Escobar could begin the year at Triple-A Nashville. Or, he could play shortstop in Milwaukee and Hardy could be asked to move to third base. Both are right-handed hitters, though.
Payroll summation: Brewers officials have been quiet about plans for payroll, probably because their still-pending offer to Sabathia will have a major impact. The team began last season in the neighborhood of $80 million and pushed toward $90 million with their in-season acquisitions, most notably Sabathia and infielder Ray Durham. Given their key arbitration-eligibles, something in the area of $80 million is a reasonable expectation for 2009.
by Hang Man on Dec 16, 2008 11:38 AM PST reply actions 0 recs
Since I have been listening to Huey Lewis and the News all morning I have come to this conclusion.
A trade for some Miggy Magic is in order. As long as it is purely a salary dump for Houston. Crosby + (Roster Filler) for Tejada.
Next “Back in time” move would be to sign Jason Giambi. Give Giambi 1 year 6-8 million and insert him as the opening day DH.
After Giambi, a contract offer of 3/36 should be extended to Adam Dunn. Dunn would be our opening day 1b. He is our 2010 LF if Holliday does not resign. Allowing Barton to get more seasoning in AAA during 2009.
Jack Cust would be moved to RF (god this defense is going to be horrible).
A middle of the order comprised of Cust, Holliday, Dunn,Chavez, Giambi, and Tejada (I guess that is a middle of the order 6 guys) although lefty heavy, would put up some crooked numbers.
Again the defense scares me, but Ellis can make up for Dunn’s lack of defensive prowess and Davis can be Cust’s late innnings defensive replacement.
Eveland rocks! Eveland rocks! Somewhere Drew Carey just smiled.
by miggyk2 on Dec 16, 2008 12:58 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
F Giambi, get Bonds!
"I'm on hold for now"- Bobby Crosby
by DyeLongJustice on Dec 16, 2008 1:08 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
OK. That is fine with me. Do you think he will be more productive than Giambi?
I doubt it. Plus I don’t hate Jason Giambi, I absolutely hate Bonds.
Eveland rocks! Eveland rocks! Somewhere Drew Carey just smiled.
by miggyk2 on Dec 16, 2008 1:13 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
… if this really is a small world, then these guys are the best American band of the 1980s on this or any other continent …
I'll send you a postcard from Space Mountain. @('.')@
by monkeyball on Dec 16, 2008 1:21 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
And by late July
we’ll either be singing “Stuck With You” or “Bad Is Bad.”
"God doesn't pay attention to your cute little hypotheticals." -- Jeff from LL
by oblique on Dec 16, 2008 2:41 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Sounds too much like a Yankee type lineup....
and we all know how many runs a game there killer lineups have produced.
by bdemartin on Dec 16, 2008 3:39 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Well guys
At least we´re not as bad as the Raiders
Clear its radiance shine...
by ATarHeel on Dec 16, 2008 1:12 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
Sign O Cab and get a BoCro/Salary Dump for Tejada!
Let them split time, and whoever sucks the least gets more playing time. I don’t think we could get tejada, but if we did that would be sweeeeeeeeeet.
"I'm on hold for now"- Bobby Crosby
by DyeLongJustice on Dec 16, 2008 1:16 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
Awesome idea!
Lets give up a draft pick, give up prospects, and take on $20 million dollars! What could go wrong… except for the two SS’s we picked up wouldn’t play at the same time… and both suck….
facepalm.jpg
by Zonis on Dec 16, 2008 2:14 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
eh, minor details...minor details....
"I'm on hold for now"- Bobby Crosby
by DyeLongJustice on Dec 16, 2008 2:25 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
I'd look to get older ...
turn to the free agent market to add a veteran pitcher or 1b … use the depth created to trade Barton or a young pitcher for a young SS … hopefully making the team better both for the short term and long term …
"It's for your own good. Big strong Devo knows whats best for Poppy" -- Mossback
by devo on Dec 16, 2008 2:14 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
Sign Dunn for 4/48, trade Barton, Simmons, and Rodriguez for JJ Hardy
Freeing up Milwaukee to trade Prince Fielder to the Giants for Matt Cain!
IT’S ALMOST TOO EASY!
by mikev on Dec 16, 2008 2:23 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Or they could just put Gamel at 1B and trade Fielder for Cain now
It's not the results, it's how you look going about those results -- Tim McCarver
by WaddellCanseco on Dec 16, 2008 5:37 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
I do think it's possible Hardy could be netted without
giving up Cahill or Anderson – it just would involve more “good quality” to replace the “great quality.”
Let’s say the Brewers asked for Gio Gonzalez, Vin Mazzaro, James Simmons, Jerry Blevins, and Bobby Crosby…?
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 16, 2008 3:45 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
They're going to ask for Bobby Crosby?
It's not the results, it's how you look going about those results -- Tim McCarver
by WaddellCanseco on Dec 16, 2008 5:38 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
It would probably be a good idea for them to have someone at SS in 2009
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 16, 2008 6:07 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
I doubt they're trading Hardy till Escobar is ready. I also doubt they're rebuilding till they have
a sub-.500 season.
It's not the results, it's how you look going about those results -- Tim McCarver
by WaddellCanseco on Dec 16, 2008 6:15 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Then they should take a look at the W/L record
of the starters they still 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 Dec 16, 2008 6:43 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Gallardo could still be a #1-2; They need to sign another like that, and they're OK
It's not the results, it's how you look going about those results -- Tim McCarver
by WaddellCanseco on Dec 16, 2008 7:39 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
pump crosby with roids
hell still sucks enough that theyd never expect it but his power numbers may slightly increase…
by supermarc589 on Dec 16, 2008 3:50 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
Troy Tulowitzki ?
what would it take?
Stay calm. I'm a relatively respectable citizen -- a multiple felon, perhaps, but certainly not dangerous
by LosAltosA's on Dec 16, 2008 8:21 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
Matt Holliday?
He’d probably hit well there.
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 16, 2008 8:30 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
i wish im pretty sure he's
Untouchable
Stay calm. I'm a relatively respectable citizen -- a multiple felon, perhaps, but certainly not dangerous
by LosAltosA's on Dec 16, 2008 8:36 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
I wonder if the D-Backs would consider moving Stephen Drew,
and if so at what price.
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 16, 2008 8:43 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
like i said these guys are most likely
Untouchable, theyd ask for Cahill and/or Anderson making them untouchable in Beanes eyes
Stay calm. I'm a relatively respectable citizen -- a multiple felon, perhaps, but certainly not dangerous
by LosAltosA's on Dec 16, 2008 8:51 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
They may prefer several very good prospects to rebuild their system
“Gio, Mazzaro, Simmons” might be considered a better return than “Cahill” – especially given the uncertainty surrounding any one prospect.
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 16, 2008 9:10 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
ya but if the A's were to trade good prospects like those for a SS i wouldnt go after
a player like Drew he’s solid but nothing special if the A’s in a way were to put most there eggs in one basket i would rather they go after Tulowitzki he is in my opinion the best SS in the league
Stay calm. I'm a relatively respectable citizen -- a multiple felon, perhaps, but certainly not dangerous
by LosAltosA's on Dec 16, 2008 9:53 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
My thinking is Drew can be had for a little less
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 17, 2008 5:07 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
My first choice would still be Hardy
I just really like that kid and he seems to have the whole package. If the A’s were able to pull off this trade somehow, I’d be all for them giving Hardy a nice extension as well. I agree with Nico in that I don’t necessarily think it would take either Cahill or Anderson to get Hardy. You would just need to add more quality spread around to make Melvin happy.
Plus, Hardy will only have 2 more years of club control before FA, unless said extension is kicked in……which I would love of course, if and when Hardy were to become an “A”.
by mrod on Dec 16, 2008 11:28 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
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