Middle Madness

by gbtmOAK on Feb 18, 2008 11:13 PM PST

It is impossible to tell who exactly will be in the A’s starting rotation without the use of a psychic and Ouija Board. So I thought I’d mention a very important and very overlooked area where I think Billy Beane has quietly made some pretty major improvements. The one part of the pitching question we can get lock on -exciting world of middle relief!

2006 was an exciting year – Zito and Haren were still around along with a resurgent Frank Thomas and an emerging Nick Swisher. But what was one of the big reasons for the A’s success? – the middle relief! Kennedy (r.i.p.), Duchscherer, Calero & Gaudin were the unsung MVPs of that season. Last year injuries and one (successful) move to the rotation depleted that elite staff .

But this year looks very promising! In what appeared to be simple salary dumps for Kendall and Kotsay – Beane was able to unearth two young strike out artists in lefty Jerry Blevins and right hander Joey Devine. Also, while his health if obviously an issue, locking up former stud Keith Foulke to provide some veteran experience from the right side seems to be pretty shrewd pick up as well. Last year, in various roles, a 38 yr old lefty Alan Embree put together an impressive season, as long as he keeps pumpin’ the HGH…errr uhm.. I mean B12 shots; there is no reason to believe he won’t be another reliable option in the pen too.

So with the pen having a new mix of young and old- maybe there is just enough pitching talent to avoid a 90 loss season …

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Comments

I do think Beane has a talent

for understanding relief pitching that a lot of GMs lack. And as such, he can sell relievers to teams like Baltimore and the Cubs, who can't seem to figure it out, for a lot more talent than the players he's giving up are really worth-- not to mention saving money on contracts.

Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.

by PaulThomas on Feb 19, 2008 8:09 AM PST reply actions

Embree for Pie!

Git-r-done Billy :happydance:

by mikev on Feb 19, 2008 1:43 PM PST up reply actions

Embree for Soto

as long as we're rosterbating.

Actually, I think I'd give any pitcher in the system, except Blanton and maybe Street, for Soto straight-up.

Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.

by PaulThomas on Feb 19, 2008 1:56 PM PST up reply actions

Relief Pitchers

Beane did get some very nice pitchers in Joey Devine and Jerry Blevins but with the influx of pitchers that we have without options I can't see these two making the roster. The competition for the 5th man in the rotation will leave Dinardo, Meyer, or Eveland out of luck. Two of these three will migrate toward the bullpen.

I see the bullpen right now being Street, Foulke, Embree, Brown, Casilla, Dinardo, and Meyer. I think Eveland will get the 5th spot in the rotation. Blevins and Devine will probably be sent to AAA and be brought up later in the season.

by Coffee13eans on Feb 19, 2008 11:42 AM PST reply actions