A's Favorites for both Furcal and Johnson (& Johnson)

by jasonlbe on Dec 4, 2008 11:38 AM PST Comment 101 comments

According to Ken Rosenthal the A's are the favorites for Rafeal Furcal, Randy Johnson, & Nick Johnson. If we do get all three of those guys all of the sudden the Angels better get moving because our footsteps will be coming up awful fast. This I must admit is pretty sweet.

Counting down the days until Spring Training. Go A's!!!!

http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/8889016/A's-still-after-Furcal,-but-may-chase-Big-Unit-too

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For the record

This is being disussed in the “Giants sign Renteria” thread but I see no reason why the topic shouldn’t get it’s own thread.

The monster at the end of this blog.

by grover on Dec 4, 2008 11:51 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

nice to know you won’t make him delete this diary…

The Maharg makes me look like an idiot.

by carp on Dec 4, 2008 12:16 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Amazing how much I support honesty...

The monster at the end of this blog.

by grover on Dec 4, 2008 12:23 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

It's really too bad that AN doesn't have some sort of "merge" feature for diaries.

by mikev on Dec 4, 2008 1:03 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Ii posted it as a fanshot around 10 am today

since it was quite short

by OaklandSi on Dec 4, 2008 1:01 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

But nobody reads those things

Wait… let me guess. You posted that fanshot and I was just insensitve to your feelings.

The monster at the end of this blog.

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

ha ha

actually I have taken seriously that fanshots are used for short entries, while fanposts are for more substantial contributions…silly me…

by OaklandSi on Dec 4, 2008 1:21 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

fanshots require too much scrolling down to see.

by mikev on Dec 4, 2008 1:25 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

perhaps they can be either revised or eiminated

or the fanpost guidelines can officially give the ok to short fanposts. That way those who add short fanposts don’t get scolded…

by OaklandSi on Dec 4, 2008 1:30 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

The more I think about it, the more it makes sense for fanposts to be able to be merged together.

Even now, there are 2 separate fanposts about Johnson and both of them are essentially links to the Rosenthal column.

The same thing happens with trades, there are tons of fanposts about the same thing that could/should all pretty much be in one.

by mikev on Dec 4, 2008 1:55 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I agree

by OaklandSi on Dec 4, 2008 5:59 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

we could have JediLeroy do it

I'll send you a postcard from Space Mountain. @('.')@

by monkeyball on Dec 4, 2008 6:12 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I think fanposts should be shot

au contra ire

by JediLeroy on Dec 4, 2008 6:44 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

thanks for the link BUT

nowhere does it say that we are favorites for Johnson or Johnson, just Furcal.

by stranahanahan on Dec 4, 2008 11:51 AM PST reply actions 1 recs

That bugged me, too.

Especially since it’s the title of the fanpost.

by Rocktopus on Dec 4, 2008 6:34 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

If we do get all three, and if they all stay healthy for the season,

then the team has a more than a fair shot at the division.

Problem is, I really don’t see that happening.

"We were s--, pathetic," Guillen growled early in spring training. "We hit too many home runs."

by lenscrafters on Dec 4, 2008 11:56 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

I'm hopeful too...

But I’m concerned about a rotation that seems so far removed from those impressive Big Three years. Which, by the way, had better offensive fire power than this current roster.

I like Sean Gallagher, but when did he become a #2 in anyone’s rotation? If only Dallas Braden would be allowed to throw that mythical screwbal of his, then we may have a solid #2…zing!

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

by franks a lot on Dec 4, 2008 12:09 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

The team would basically have two #2s (Duke and Unit) and three #3s ...

That’s a strong rotation …

"It's for your own good. Big strong Devo knows whats best for Poppy" -- Mossback

by devo on Dec 4, 2008 12:54 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Here's a question for ya

Assuming everyone’s healthy in the projected rotation, whom would you pick to start a 1 game play-off. And yes, you were able to set up the rotation a few weeks earlier so the guy you want most in that situation will be available.

(If you really need an opponent, say you’re facing the Angels.)

The monster at the end of this blog.

by grover on Dec 4, 2008 1:01 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

At this point, Duke, probably ...

but the decision would be influenced tremendously by their performance this upcoming season …

"It's for your own good. Big strong Devo knows whats best for Poppy" -- Mossback

by devo on Dec 4, 2008 1:09 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

NO!!!

Definitive answer now!

The monster at the end of this blog.

by grover on Dec 4, 2008 1:16 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Whichever of Cahill or Anderson

that got the mid-season call up and had the 0.00 ERA they surely would have by years end.

facepalm.jpg

by Zonis on Dec 4, 2008 1:20 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Rich Harden

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

by nevermoor on Dec 4, 2008 1:30 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Duke if it's a mostly-right handed team, Unit if it's left-handed

The only exception being one of the young pitchers has a break-out season, and I’d like that to be the case.

by thejd44 on Dec 4, 2008 2:38 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I think that's a tad optimistic.

I agree with Duke and Johnson being #2s. But can both of them stay healthy for the entire season? I’m pessimistic on this front.

And what makes you think that three of Braden, Gonzalez, Outman, and Gallagher can pitch as #3s?

"We were s--, pathetic," Guillen growled early in spring training. "We hit too many home runs."

by lenscrafters on Dec 4, 2008 1:28 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

And Eveland

I like Gallagher a lot, and he still has plenty of room to project past #3. Eveland could be one. Gonzalez should be someday (probably not 2009)

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

by nevermoor on Dec 4, 2008 1:31 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Ah

I forgot about him, I’m pretty positive that he can put up #3 production.

Yeah, it’s far more likely that two of Braden, etc can pitch like #3s, although I still have my doubts about Braden and Gallagher. I think Braden was exceedingly lucky last year and will regress alot. Gallagher has good stuff, but I’m not sold on his production at all, even accounting for the injuries. He’s the wild card.

"We were s--, pathetic," Guillen growled early in spring training. "We hit too many home runs."

by lenscrafters on Dec 4, 2008 1:37 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I'll agree with that

Gallagher has #2 stuff but #5 control. We’ll see if that shakes itself out.

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

by nevermoor on Dec 4, 2008 1:48 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

His control has been fine throughout his career except with the A's

The A's colors are green and gold.

by mikeA on Dec 4, 2008 1:51 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Just like Eveland's control has been fine throughout his career except in the majors

Both of them have at least a plausible shot at figuring things out next year.

Braden wasn’t lucky last year… he just wasn’t UNlucky like he was in 2007.

Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.

by PaulThomas on Dec 4, 2008 2:08 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Right

If his control had always been crappy I’d be a lot more pessimistic about Gallagher

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

by nevermoor on Dec 4, 2008 2:29 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

So you'd expect Braden to be more like 2008 than 2007 in the future

That makes him a useful major league pitcher. I’ll take it.

by thejd44 on Dec 4, 2008 2:39 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Right

He’s been about a 4.5 fip guy the last two years. Bill James and Marcel both project improvement in 2009.

Here’s his fangraphs page, he certainly appears to be more than a AAAA player.

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

by nevermoor on Dec 4, 2008 2:48 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

He seems like one of those guys who is due to have one fluke good year

And, at that point, the A’s should sell high on him since he looks like he’s no better than an average pitcher in the long run.

by thejd44 on Dec 4, 2008 2:59 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

It depends on how good the year is

A pitcher with a 4 FIP (Bill James’ 2009 projection on fangraphs) is not a bad thing to have.

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

by nevermoor on Dec 4, 2008 3:02 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I'd expect him to settle in at roughly post-2002 Randy Wolf level

somewhere around a #3 for an average team or a #4 for a playoff team.

Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.

by PaulThomas on Dec 4, 2008 3:09 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Does that pave the way for "Dallas Fucking Braden" then?

by mikev on Dec 4, 2008 3:20 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I'm an optimist ...

and i expect all pitchers to get hurt at some point of most seasons … so that doesn’t DQ Duke or the Unit

"It's for your own good. Big strong Devo knows whats best for Poppy" -- Mossback

by devo on Dec 4, 2008 1:38 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Last year, going by tRA:

Braden: #3
Gonzalez: #gazillion, probably a #4 including the minors.
Gallagher: #3
Eveland: #4
Outman: ~3-4 including mles.

The A's colors are green and gold.

by mikeA on Dec 4, 2008 1:38 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Outman looks a bit strange on MLE's. 68K 45 BB but a 4.19 FIP.

I guess they think a 17.9% IF/Fly is a skill, as well as the 0.54 HR/9 rate. His ZiPS of 4.99 makes more sense to me given the K/BB.

It's not the results, it's how you look going about those results -- Tim McCarver

by WaddellCanseco on Dec 4, 2008 5:49 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Outman's got a good history of looking strange...

from here

"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 4, 2008 8:39 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

If you look at that photo and focus only on the one arm,

it could totally be Chad Bradford’s right arm!

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 4, 2008 9:05 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

You mean because it's punching Outman in the face?

It's not the results, it's how you look going about those results -- Tim McCarver

by WaddellCanseco on Dec 4, 2008 9:37 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Well, I meant the other arm but that too I guess

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 4, 2008 9:40 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Except for the thumb being on the wrong side

Thanks for tomorrow 'cause I've had enough

by andeux on Dec 5, 2008 9:54 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

You have to forgive Nico

He’s not used to gazing at creatures with opposable thumbs.

The monster at the end of this blog.

by grover on Dec 5, 2008 11:34 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

tRA is not a projection system and I don't think I've ever claimed it to be

PS: Inducing infield flies is indeed a skill.

by Graham on Dec 6, 2008 8:41 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Rosterbation Time!

I think all 3 moves would be great. High upside moves that could be very big, and if they get injured again, its likely to be just one more year (cept for Furcal, but we’re already used to overpaid injured Short Stops).

Though I would rather have Dunn if its true that he might have to settle for a 3/36 contract.

IF we got Johnson & Johnson and Furcal, what would our roster look like? And what if Gaudin is indeed Non-Tendered and we pick him up to start? Well here ya go;

C1 Kurt Suzuki
1B Nick Johnson
2B Mark Ellis
3B Eric Chavez
SS Rafael Furcal
LF Matt Holliday
CF Ryan Sweeney
RF Travis Buck
DH Jack Cust

SP Justin Duchscherer
SP Randy Johnson
SP Dana Eveland
SP Sean Gallagher
SP Chad Gaudin (or Josh Outman/Gio Gonzalez/Dallas Braden)

RP Joey Devine
RP Brad Ziegler
RP Andrew Brown
RP Santiago Casilla
RP Jerry Blevins
RP Dallas Braden
RP Chris Schroder

facepalm.jpg

by Zonis on Dec 4, 2008 1:19 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Probably not Chad Gaudin ...

"It's for your own good. Big strong Devo knows whats best for Poppy" -- Mossback

by devo on Dec 4, 2008 1:24 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Shit, if they really do non-tender him, I'd happily pick him up for a couple more years

What’s the risk?

Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.

by PaulThomas on Dec 4, 2008 2:10 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Are they really thinking about non-tendering him?

"It's for your own good. Big strong Devo knows whats best for Poppy" -- Mossback

by devo on Dec 4, 2008 2:41 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

If I were Chad I'd go someplace where I could start. He's got 2 years before FA to prove

he can start and get a big payday. Nats? Blue Jays? Orioles?

It's not the results, it's how you look going about those results -- Tim McCarver

by WaddellCanseco on Dec 4, 2008 5:51 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

YES! CHRIS SHRODER! WOOOOOO!!!!

by mikev on Dec 4, 2008 1:25 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

We got him from the Nats remember...

SPRING BREAK! WOOOOOOOOOOOO!

facepalm.jpg

by Zonis on Dec 4, 2008 1:39 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

What happens in DC stays in DC?

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

by nevermoor on Dec 4, 2008 1:49 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Tagg Bozied!!!!

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

by franks a lot on Dec 4, 2008 2:10 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Seriously, that's got to be as much of an inside joke as "We signed Jack Cust!"

Maybe he’ll be Jack Cust part 2.

by mikev on Dec 4, 2008 2:35 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I just wanna tell my friends about the A's player who Bozied around the bases after he Tagged a homer.

by thejd44 on Dec 4, 2008 2:43 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

In my country we say "you're it" instead of "bozied."

Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.

by PaulThomas on Dec 4, 2008 2:59 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

In Soviet Russia, the Bozied Taggs you

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

by nevermoor on Dec 4, 2008 3:02 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

nice

Save Rajai Davis

by oakinboston on Dec 4, 2008 3:32 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Dear God No

We would set another record for DL uses with that lineup. Nick Johnson will miss about 130, RJ will miss 4 months… terrible ideas! We should sign giambi instead of nick johnson and use gio/braden/cahill/anderson instead of RJ/Gaudin.

Cust is the new Jaha.

by johnjahafanclub on Dec 4, 2008 3:50 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

"RJ will miss 4 months"

Sigh. He’s had fewer problems than any 2008 A’s pitcher other than Blanton.

This is a weak argument, and I wish people would think before they made it.

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

by nevermoor on Dec 4, 2008 3:56 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Don't forget the Giambi health issues as well AND

your patented statement of “please god no, please don’t sign Giambi” which, btw, you’re slowing getting another convert to that.

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

by DMOAS on Dec 4, 2008 4:23 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

but we have barton

and 2/3 of braden/outman/gio (adding braden to the a’s roster is retarded)…

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 Dec 4, 2008 6:20 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

(gaudin i mean)

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 Dec 4, 2008 6:29 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

adding braden to the A's roster is gaudin?

I'll send you a postcard from Space Mountain. @('.')@

by monkeyball on Dec 4, 2008 6:57 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

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

by The Dogfather on Dec 4, 2008 2:06 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

we're gunna need a lot more of those....

facepalm.jpg

by Zonis on Dec 4, 2008 2:16 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Band-Aid?

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

by oblique on Dec 4, 2008 3:07 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Neyer buys it

Just has the appropriate injury based pessimism about the whole thing.

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

by nevermoor on Dec 4, 2008 2:30 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

{snerk}

oft-injured Johnson

I'll send you a postcard from Space Mountain. @('.')@

by monkeyball on Dec 4, 2008 2:54 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Which begs the question - which is better?

an oft-injured Johnson, or a never used Johnson?

by mikev on Dec 4, 2008 2:59 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

AN clearly deserves both Johnsons

The pun potential is large enough to fill all the gaps between front page posts.

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

by nevermoor on Dec 4, 2008 3:04 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

http://www.baseball-reference.com/j/johnsra05.shtml

http://minors.baseball-reference.com/players.cgi?pid=7327

I’m going with the oft-injured Johnson. He may have trouble “getting it up there” anymore but at least someone “knows” him.

Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.

by PaulThomas on Dec 4, 2008 3:05 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Robothal

facepalm.jpg

by Zonis on Dec 4, 2008 3:30 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

The whole point about RJ's underlying stats

Is counter-balanced by the fact he had a terrible HR rate in his last 2 seasons in the AL. Allowing 30 hr’s/year will kill your ERA even if you have a high k:bb ratio and good whip.

RJ will suck in the AL. Bad idea. Let gio and braden get more experience.

Cust is the new Jaha.

by johnjahafanclub on Dec 4, 2008 3:53 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Kill your ERA to the tune of 3.79?

I’ll take it.

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

by nevermoor on Dec 4, 2008 3:57 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Nevermind that those seasons were in New York

and not in one of the best pitchers parks in the AL?

by mikev on Dec 4, 2008 4:02 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Lefties are supposed to benefit from Yankee Stadium.

It's not the results, it's how you look going about those results -- Tim McCarver

by WaddellCanseco on Dec 4, 2008 5:54 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Not when their back hurts

Johnson was healthy last year, which is more than you can say about Duke.

The monster at the end of this blog.

by grover on Dec 4, 2008 8:12 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

yeah...

In the confines of the Coliseum those HR’s turn into looong fly outs….just let him pitch at night….

by mikeprooo on Dec 4, 2008 5:07 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

don't the elderly

like to go to bed earlier?

BB should send scouts to watch cricket players.

by alea iacta est on Dec 4, 2008 6:45 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Interesting how we deal with two's

In 2008 we had two Gonzalez’s and two Sweeney’s.
After the 2008 season we trim that down to one each and now are going after 2 Johnson’s. And one is really big!

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

by Eastbayjim on Dec 4, 2008 3:07 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Two Johnsons after trim?

Oh, I did not just type that.

I'll send you a postcard from Space Mountain. @('.')@

by monkeyball on Dec 4, 2008 3:08 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

And two Browns.

(I know, you’re trying to forget)

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 Dec 4, 2008 3:12 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

The A's had an incredible number of Browns in 2007

Andrew, Dee, Corey, and Jeremy (at least, there might have been one other one). Getting Emil to replace Dee and Jeremy was still a net loss of Brownie points.

Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.

by PaulThomas on Dec 4, 2008 4:16 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Don't forget about the Mark triplet from 05-07

Ellis, Kotsay, and Scutaro (sort of). Sadly we never acquired a Polo.

by GoA's on Dec 4, 2008 7:38 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

In 2004

We had Ellis (though he was injured all year), Kotsay, Redman, Mulder, McLemore, and Scutaro.

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

by vignette17 on Dec 4, 2008 8:05 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

2 johnson and one of everything else

is probably the best way to go. Also, to me braden still seems far inferior to Gonzalez. Gonzalez led the entire minor leagues in strikeouts at AA. That has to mean something and was amongst the leaders in AAA as well. Other than one 17 strikeout game in the minors and a 7k performance against Detroit I don’t think he has the same kind of swing and miss potential. Braden seems more like a 4 and gonzalez also a 4 with the potential of being a 3 or even a 2 if everything break right for him (curve, control, speed, off-speed, etc.).

by jasonlbe on Dec 4, 2008 3:25 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

In 2009, No. Beyond, Yes.

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

by DMOAS on Dec 4, 2008 4:25 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Braden's starting to grow on me. The #3 above is optimistic, but I can see a 4.40 ERA and

20 QS in his near future. Come to think of it that might be a #3.

It's not the results, it's how you look going about those results -- Tim McCarver

by WaddellCanseco on Dec 4, 2008 5:56 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Johnson all ready an A?

Not sure if anyone saw this, but rotoworld has Randy Johnson all ready on the A’s. His player card is covered in green and shows the A’s emblem on it. Weird.

http://www.rotoworld.com/content/playerpages/player_main.aspx?sport=MLB&id=1528

by asyouwish33 on Dec 4, 2008 4:07 PM PST reply actions 0 recs