Eveland Strong, Gaudin Storms the Hill

by Blez on Mar 17, 2008 3:54 PM PDT

The A's are now 15-5 in the spring thanks to a strong start by Dana Eveland again, further cementing his case for the fifth starter spot. The only real problem Eveland has seemingly had this spring is his inability to avoid the walks. Other than that, he's been pretty darn good in stating his case for that spot in the rotation.

Chad Gaudin also made his first appearance of the spring and pitched two scoreless innings with one strikeout. He didn't allow a hit or a walk. As a matter of fact Keith Foulke was the only A's pitcher today to give up any runs.

In case you missed it in the game thread, the A's re-assigned Greg Smith and Gio Gonzalez to minor league camp. They also informed Todd Linden that he's not going to Japan and Linden is expressing his outrage over the decision after the largeness of his small sample size performance. Here's what Slusser says Linden said:

Linden is less than happy with that decision after hitting .577; he believed he'd get a roster spot if he got a good opportunity to win a job, and he feels he was somewhat misled about the A's plans for him.

I can understand Linden getting upset, especially if he was promised a realistic shot of making the club, but truly the best thing a guy like him can do is to go down to the minor league club and kick some butt. Life throws those kinds of things at people and the ones who step up and perform are often eventually rewarded. It means a ton of money for Linden, yes, but if you really have the talent then you'll get there.

By the way, one last downer of a note. Spring training records don't often translate to anything once the bell rings on the regular season. XBX linked to it in the game thread and I thought it was a pretty good read for those who missed it. Yeah, it's nice the team has done so well in spring, but unfortunately it doesn't mean much for our green and gold's performance in 2008.

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Linden...

Who else out there would rather have him on the team than Emil Brown?

No Harden and No Chavez make the A's go, something something...

by gdub171 on Mar 17, 2008 4:15 PM PDT 0 recs

i think i would

though the team wants brown for lefties

"It's like déjà vu all over again." -yogi berra

by Cheezombie on Mar 17, 2008 4:42 PM PDT up 0 recs

Like for Linden to earn his way onto the team by excelling

at Sacramento. Then both can be on the team until the team sorts things out early in the season.

Emil Brown has shown he can perform at the big league level and is not complaining about being a 4th or 5th outfielder.

Charlie Brown GO A'S WIN

by Charlie Brown on Mar 18, 2008 4:04 PM PDT up 0 recs

Linden has a .312 career babip.

This spring, Linden has a .750 babip in a very small sample size. This is going to regress 100% of the way to the mean.

With the k-rate and home run rate that accompanied that .750 babip, his performance would drop to .240/.341/.368 -- a .709 OPS.

The small sample size make his performance completely irrelevant -- but if you insist on paying attention to it, it wasn't really that impressive.

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

by devo on Mar 17, 2008 4:17 PM PDT 0 recs

Chin up, Todd !

Be glad you're not Kaz Matsui.

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

by The Dogfather on Mar 17, 2008 4:34 PM PDT up 0 recs

or felix pie (twisted testicle)

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 Mar 17, 2008 4:39 PM PDT up 0 recs

Grimace!

alaska A

by ak_A on Mar 17, 2008 4:42 PM PDT up 0 recs

Grimace?

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

by The Dogfather on Mar 17, 2008 5:05 PM PDT up 0 recs

My dad fixed that once.

I couldn't think about oral you know what for years.
(he was a surgeon, so it was legit.)

by MobiusKlein on Mar 17, 2008 10:21 PM PDT up 0 recs

so here's a stupid question

Linden had the absolute best spring you could possibly have as a player, and he won't make the team because it is a small sample size. Why even invite the guy to camp if this is the case? Seriously if you are going to make the decision based on career numbers in the end why even have the guy come play spring training? It seems pretty stupid to me. So maybe 3 outfielders get hurt and the A's need him then, but having the best spring of any player on the team it seems like he may as well have not come to town the way he is getting no consideration. Why even have ST and non-roster invites at all if the sample sizes are going to be so small for the unprovens. Sure it is a tune up for the major leaguers but this seems like a clear case of the guy had no shot based on his career numbers and the A's really were just leading him on.

"Just looking at Lackey's face, you just want to beat him" -Ray Fosse

by marco magic on Mar 17, 2008 5:09 PM PDT up 0 recs

I posted a reply on the CF thread

but the gist of it was, because the team (if they're smart) is looking at his tools, attitude and process during spring training, not his results (which are useless because of the sample size).

Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.

by PaulThomas on Mar 17, 2008 5:25 PM PDT up 0 recs

It's not just the small sample size ...

it's the way in which he played well. He didn't hit for more power, he didn't cut his Ks, he didn't increase his BB-rate he posted an unsustainable .750 babip. The very limited statistical evidence do not suggest that he was doing anything differently, just that he was getting lucky.

More important to the decision would be how his performance looked to the coaches.

It probably only would have taken one injury to get Linden a 25-man spot.

Linden is also getting a generous per diem for every day he's on the MLB spring training roster.

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

by devo on Mar 17, 2008 5:26 PM PDT up 0 recs

because...

in case our guys get hurt (common occurence) somebody just absolutely falls apart or someone else just really shines. I think his bat really did shine but we had a glut in the outfield and I don't think anyone played themselves out of a spot.

"Doesn't play well with the other children." Ms. Darias, principal, Broad Ave School

by since72 on Mar 17, 2008 6:40 PM PDT up 0 recs

the spring training records link

was originally posted by a's fan and runner in the foolish diary.

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 Mar 17, 2008 4:28 PM PDT 0 recs

how about april records?

the top 15 aprils since 1996 posted a .736 record in that first month, but for the season "only" a .597 mark. (can't figure out how to paste the chart in here, so you'll have to take my word).

I'm here to talk about the past.

by 67MARQUEZ on Mar 17, 2008 6:23 PM PDT up 0 recs

I would like to point something out

In that nifty link, the article shows all those wonderful spring records, and then the regular season record. Ummm, if I am not mistaken, we were widely slated for 74 wins. Vegas has us at 74 wins. Most of those teams have a lot more than 74 wins. Yes, it is just spring. But I think you would really have to be a seriously depressed pessimist with an agenda to say that this team will only win 74 or less. They look a sight better than 74 to me.

"Doesn't play well with the other children." Ms. Darias, principal, Broad Ave School

by since72 on Mar 17, 2008 4:31 PM PDT 0 recs

the a's looked better than a 74 win team before spring training started

BP projects 80 wins for the a's, i'm sure zips is even higher.

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 Mar 17, 2008 4:41 PM PDT up 0 recs

Staturday projects 79 wins

link

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

by devo on Mar 17, 2008 4:59 PM PDT up 0 recs

I predict

"The two of them deserve each other. One's a born liar, the other's convicted."

by SwampyD on Mar 17, 2008 10:45 PM PDT up 0 recs

where was the "reversion to mean" ?

Gosh, they talked an awful lot about "correlation" between spring training and the regular season. What happened to "reverting to the mean" and "small sample size", especially with "split squad games"??

"I never predict anything, and I never will." Paul Gascoigne, English footballer

by One won lost won on Mar 18, 2008 10:52 AM PDT up 0 recs

What on earth

are you talking about?

Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.

by PaulThomas on Mar 18, 2008 11:14 AM PDT up 0 recs

I'm talking about something not on Earth

I'm talking about multi-tasking to ill effect, brain cramps, and other mental afflictions.

I did mean "regression", not "reversion", but my brain was operating at full "standard deviation" from MBF (mean brain functionality).

"I never predict anything, and I never will." Paul Gascoigne, English footballer

by One won lost won on Mar 20, 2008 3:10 PM PDT up 0 recs

(regression to the mean)

Despite what sounds like sarcasm, you make a good point (even if you don't know that you did).

What Wolverton could have done in the study was to compute the spring winning percentage, regress to the mean (either .500 or to the team's mean in the previous year or, heck, to the team's mean projection), and seen how that changes our estimate of the team's true talent.

My guess is that it would have shown the same result.

stat-addled alien overlord

by salb918 on Mar 18, 2008 11:19 AM PDT up 0 recs

You know there was no way

Wolverton would make it sound too "math"-like, or he would lose his base audience.

It brings to mind those ridiculous "by city real estate sales" statistics:

Number of houses sold: 2
Highest price: $750,000
Lowest price : $150,000
Avg sales price: $450,000
etc.

What the heck good is that "average", when the low price was for a studio condo, and the high for a detached 3-bdrm house??!! But, that's our "popular world"...

"I never predict anything, and I never will." Paul Gascoigne, English footballer

by One won lost won on Mar 20, 2008 3:16 PM PDT up 0 recs

eveland's inability to avoid the walks

14 Ks and 4 walks in 15 innings isn't so bad.

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 Mar 17, 2008 4:43 PM PDT 0 recs

15 innings is too small of a sample size to base anything off of

I mean, his career BB/9 in the majors is a pretty horrific 5.2. I don't see any reason why we should put any sort of stock into such a miniscule amount of innings during Spring Training against a bunch of guys who will be bagging groceries in 3 weeks.

Oh wait, that argument only applies to Todd Linden. My bad.

by mikev on Mar 17, 2008 9:03 PM PDT up 0 recs

DiNardo or Eveland....

Good point! And if we carry that philosophy over to this situation, we will see Lenny as the number 5 and Eveland in the bullpen to start the season so he can take Blanton's spot when he is traded/Harden's spot when he is hurt. Lenny did nothing to pitch himself out of favor last season I think.

"Doesn't play well with the other children." Ms. Darias, principal, Broad Ave School

by since72 on Mar 17, 2008 10:23 PM PDT up 0 recs

Career fifth starter.

The problem is Lenny is a career number 5 starter, while Eveland put up similar minor league numbers to Danny Haren.

So the question then becomes, will the A's--in a rebuilding year--play a player they know will never amount to more then a number five starter or will they play the player that has a chance to be a future number two or three?

Sometimes life will strike you out on a curve ball and the only choice you have is to flip off the umpire and walk to first base anyway.

by Threepwood XX on Mar 17, 2008 11:34 PM PDT up 0 recs

exactly, that's twisting the idea of small sample sizes (mikev and since72)

despite eveland's "horrific" 5.2 bb/9, he is very young, successful in the minors, and has way more upside than dinardo. his minor league bb/9 is 2.77 in over 400 innings, whereas his major league bb/9 is pretty much based on 60 innings split over ages 21 and 22.
i can't imagine the a's would make dinardo the #5 and send eveland to the bullpen (unless he struggles quite a bit first), that would be a mind-boggling decision.

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 Mar 18, 2008 12:31 AM PDT up 0 recs

The point is that sample size shouldn't be ignored in some cases

and then cited in others.

Saying that Linden's Spring is a result of small sample size so he shouldn't make the team in one breath, and then saying that Eveland has pitched well enough this Spring to earn himself the 5th starter spot in the next breath is twisting around sample size: Using it to argue against Linden, but then ignoring it when talking up Eveland.

by mikev on Mar 18, 2008 7:59 AM PDT up 0 recs

Linden

I think you're right and Linden SHOULD have made the team instead of the obviously rusty Denorfia.

Linden's problem though, is the same good fortune that Eveland has. Before spring training ever started the A's decided Eveland would be their fifth starter and Sweeny and Denorfia would be their last two outfielders. People like Linden, the Gonzolezes, and DiNardo were never given any serious consideration no matter how good they played of badly their counterparts played.

We saw this last year when Joe Kennedy was given the fifth starter spot after a horrendous spring and even though Chad Gaudin had success in the starts he was given. It was obvious that Gaudin was the better option, but because the A's had made the decision before spring started that Kennedy was the "front runner" for the fifth spot it took an injury to Loaiza to give Gaudin the shot he deserved.

Sometimes life will strike you out on a curve ball and the only choice you have is to flip off the umpire and walk to first base anyway.

by Threepwood XX on Mar 18, 2008 10:31 AM PDT up 0 recs

Ah, I see you got access to those internal A's memos

about inviting players just for show.

I'm going to bold and italicize this so that perhaps people will start to understand, or at least notice, it.

Spring training stats are vastly less useful for determining who should make a team than the players' past track records and their spring scouting reports.

Any team that gives a job to someone because he has a .500 average in 20 at-bats, or demotes a starter based on a 10 ERA through 15 innings, is moronic. The fact that some teams are dumb enough to give jobs to players based on spring stats is in no sense an argument that the A's should do the same.

Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.

by PaulThomas on Mar 18, 2008 11:20 AM PDT up 0 recs

Linden wasn't playing that well ...

he was just getting really luck on balls in play.

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

by devo on Mar 18, 2008 10:31 AM PDT up 0 recs

I really don't think that's fair to Linden, devo

Granted I didn't see a single AB, but listening to the broadcasts it sounded like he was hitting a ton of solid line drives - that'll lift the ol' BABIP. I think Linden genuinely had a great spring with the bat, but was brought in strictly as an "insurance policy" in case Emil Brown, or Denorfia, or Buck got hurt. They didn't so he's a man without a spot - and one whose mouth is quickly undermining the chances of his career suriving this setback.

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 Mar 18, 2008 10:38 AM PDT up 0 recs

I think you're right that he was an insurance policy ...

but it's simply not possible for him to raise his babip, based on real skill, more than maybe 20 points -- it was 440 points over his career norm. He got very fortunate. There's simply no way of getting around it.

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

by devo on Mar 18, 2008 10:48 AM PDT up 0 recs

I'll ask the question again

What was the point of inviting Linden to ST if the end result was to waive off his performance as a small sample size?

I'd say that at this point in his career, Linden's overall numbers are just as much of a small sample. 550 PA's over the course of 5 seasons isn't much to go by.

by mikev on Mar 18, 2008 10:55 AM PDT up 0 recs

Two reasons:

1. Insurance -- if someone gets hurt, he'd have a roster spot.

2. It's not just THAT he put up good numbers, it's HOW he put up good numbers. His k-rate, bb-rate and power stayed basically the same as his career numbers. The only improvement was with BABIP. If he had improved in some or all of those other areas, there would be a chance (though with reservations based on SSS) that the improvement was real. Since the improvement was solely based on BABIP, there is no chance what-so-ever that the improvement was real.

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

by devo on Mar 18, 2008 11:08 AM PDT up 0 recs

[beats head on table]

Because that way... I can't believe I'm saying this again... Beane, Geren and the team scouts get to actually watch these guys play baseball in person.

What's your basis for claiming that the team did not choose to cut these guys, and not someone else, based on subjective (but educated) evaluations of their tools and abilities?

Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.

by PaulThomas on Mar 18, 2008 11:26 AM PDT up 0 recs

I don't think it's inconsistent

On the surface the cases of Linden and Eveland may look similar: they both have strong career minor league numbers, did badly in a small sample size in the majors, but have done well again (in an even smaller sample size) in spring training this year.

But if you look at their track records a little more closely, there's a big difference. Eveland moved up steadily through the minors, and pitched well at every stop without ever being considered too old for his level. He's still only 24, the same age Blanton was when he moved into the rotation.

In contrast, Linden didn't start putting up big numbers in the minors until he was 25, his fourth season in AAA. That's the prototypical profile of the AAAA slugger: see also Matt Watson, Graham Koonce, etc.

"Tomorrow it may rain." - Leo Durocher

by andeux on Mar 18, 2008 11:00 AM PDT up 0 recs

The BIGGEST difference in Eveland and Linden is one is already on the

40 man roster, which means you don't lose anyone, and one isn't which means someone has to clear waivers to remain with the A's. If you can find a player on the A's roster,less projectable than Todd Linden, tell me who that is. The only spot that will be freed, will be DJ's when they have to do something with him to make room for Mike Sweeney.

by theblackpearl on Mar 18, 2008 11:26 AM PDT up 0 recs

+1

the flaw in mikev's comment is that he assumes "Eveland has pitched well enough this Spring to earn himself the 5th starter spot" when eveland was already the frontrunner for the 5th starter job based on his minor league numbers.

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 Mar 18, 2008 1:46 PM PDT up 0 recs

??

i was responding to this quote from blez (partially quoted in the subject line):

The only real problem Eveland has seemingly had this spring is his inability to avoid the walks.

this spring, not career bb/9. whether it's a small sample size or not is not relevant, my point is 4 walks in 15 innings this spring can't really be considered an inability to avoid walks.

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 Mar 18, 2008 12:23 AM PDT up 0 recs

I think

Eveland's low walk totals this spring is a result of improvement, not small sample numbers. He has better control than his numbers in the past. I still think Lenny should get the nod. D'Backs ran Eveland out there last year and he got lit up, which can shake anyone's confidence. Bringing him in out of the pen could give him a chance to get some big league success under his belt in small doses instead of running him out in starting situations. Guess we will know in a few days, I would just feel more confident with a

Blanton
Harden
Duke
Gaudin
DiNardo

starting rotation to start the season.

"Doesn't play well with the other children." Ms. Darias, principal, Broad Ave School

by since72 on Mar 18, 2008 12:52 AM PDT up 0 recs

a's spring training stats

here

what's the deal with only 4 ip from duke? aside from gaudin all the other rotation candidates are in the 10-15 ip range...

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 Mar 17, 2008 4:51 PM PDT 0 recs

Duke

He pitched a chunk of innings in a minor league intersquad game during an off day probably to keep up with a specific schedule of pitches on certain days for him.

by Coffee13eans on Mar 17, 2008 5:03 PM PDT up 0 recs

Right

I think he went 4 IP in that game, so his spring total is 8-- and since that was Thursday, one presumes he'll be taking the hill tomorrow.

Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.

by PaulThomas on Mar 17, 2008 5:24 PM PDT up 0 recs

Yup

According to the A's Press Pass Duke is pitching tomorrow. I usually take a look at it before games, it also tells who is suppose to pitch from the bullpen during that game.

by Coffee13eans on Mar 17, 2008 5:42 PM PDT up 0 recs

Forgot the link

Link

by Coffee13eans on Mar 17, 2008 5:45 PM PDT up 0 recs

I emailed Ken Tremendous

Mr. Tremendous gets the word out about a brewing, horrific situation.

by HigherPie on Mar 17, 2008 6:19 PM PDT 0 recs

hah i emailed that to him as well

"It's like déjà vu all over again." -yogi berra

by Cheezombie on Mar 17, 2008 8:56 PM PDT up 0 recs

This is why I stopped caring...

...about spring training results years ago. I just want to know who players are progressing as they get ready for the season, hoping they don't get hurt along the way. Heck, unless I'm there in Phoenix, I just can't get myself to watch a spring training game, let alone worry about who wins.

"[Moneyball] is huge [in Japan], I guess, so I'm like a David Hasselhoff type or something..." -- Billy Beane

by FormerHuntsvilleStar on Mar 17, 2008 6:40 PM PDT 0 recs

you

should care about spring training stats. guys are cut and make the team because of them

"The two of them deserve each other. One's a born liar, the other's convicted."

by SwampyD on Mar 17, 2008 10:46 PM PDT 0 recs

Todd Linden better learn some patience...

where does he get off blabbing about the inner workings of the club when his major league contributions to said club have been zero. If he does not learn some clubhouse manners he might find himself in a permanent minor league one.

by Oaktownflav on Mar 17, 2008 11:05 PM PDT 0 recs

Perhaps he should talk to Jack Cust

He's a few years younger, and Cust has the HR-hitting attraction, but was seldom in the Majors until the A's called him.

Further on, no one posting here, or writing the beat stories, was there when Todd Linden signed his minor league contract. IMO it does not fit the Front Office style of the Athletics to make concrete verbal promises, so I think Linden was reading too much into the "good feelings" at signing...or his agent was... A minor league contract says it all, in writing:

uphill chance.

"I never predict anything, and I never will." Paul Gascoigne, English footballer

by One won lost won on Mar 18, 2008 11:02 AM PDT up 0 recs

what's more ...

Linden's white, so there's no chance the A's could have lied to or misled him.

I wasn't thinking about anything. I'll have to try to do that more often. @('.')@

by monkeyball on Mar 18, 2008 11:15 AM PDT up 0 recs

Forget Linden, I dont see why everyone is so down on Emil Brown

Slick fielding outfielder that can actually hit lefties, great signing.

More importantly though, I'm glad to see Eveland seal up his spot in the rotation today. How exciting is our opening day rotation now? Every day we will be on the edge of our seats, for the first weeks at least...

by ChadGod on Mar 18, 2008 12:51 AM PDT 0 recs

Great points ChadGod

We are debating over two talented pitchers, either one makes our starting rotation competitive with the baboons to the south. What a great position to be in!

And I agree on Downtown E. Brown. Another Billy scrap heap find. Billy Beane shops at the same thrift stores I do!

"Doesn't play well with the other children." Ms. Darias, principal, Broad Ave School

by since72 on Mar 18, 2008 12:55 AM PDT up 0 recs

From what I know about Linden ...

He was the same way with the Giants. Doing well early and whining.... and oh... he has a career batting avg. of .231!!! Are you freakin kidding me? The dude has never proved he can hit .250 in the bigs and thinks he was mislead? Into what? He was given a chance on a team, if anything he should be thankful Oakland got him back on the radar (Macha too??) Is the Linden Market really that hot right now? Please dont come to Oakland with your entitlement issues and run your mouth. Giants let him go because he blew in AAA. I watched him in a couple games in Arizona last week and cringed every time hew got a hit because I knew he was going to run his AAAA mouth that much more. Stop whining. Go A's.

Your 2008 East Bay Athletic Rivercats of the greater Fremont Area!

by asfan777 on Mar 18, 2008 9:26 AM PDT 0 recs

Fiorentino

Looks like the team picked Fiorentino over Linden for a backup outfielder spot.

Slusser's article:

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/03/18/SP74VLV2O.DTL

http://sonicliving.com

by whaxed on Mar 18, 2008 11:38 AM PDT 0 recs

I'm not so sure they picked him over Linden, moreas they know Fiorentino won't have

a problem going to Sacramento when they come back. The 3 extras will only be on the roster because of the 28 player exemption.

by theblackpearl on Mar 18, 2008 11:45 AM PDT up 0 recs

Will Fiorentino have to be waived again to go to AAA?

by mikev on Mar 18, 2008 12:18 PM PDT up 0 recs

He has an option remaining

so no, he can be sent down freely.

Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.

by PaulThomas on Mar 18, 2008 12:38 PM PDT up 0 recs

How did we get him, then?

Didn't we get him on waivers from Baltimore? I am so confused.

stat-addled alien overlord

by salb918 on Mar 18, 2008 2:13 PM PDT up 0 recs

He had to pass through waivers when he was dropped from the 40 man roster. (I think.)

"We've come a long way, and I'm not talking about Virginia Slims, either." - Art Howe

by EastCoastA on Mar 18, 2008 4:22 PM PDT up 0 recs

False sense of hope?

I don't buy the fact that they gave him a false sense of hope. He was signed to a minor league contract--last I checked that means that their main intent was to put him in AAA and let him prove himself there that he can do it. If they wanted him in the outfield for sure, they would have given him a major league contract like Emil Brown.

I mean, I don't think anyone is thinking Linden will explode into a superstar. At best he becomes a third outfielder--a major league caliber guy, but nothing to write home about. He can't play CF due to his defense, and Buck is in right. We already have a proven major league third OF type guy in Brown, so I don't know where he got the impression that he was a shoo-in.

by Rebuilding Season on Mar 18, 2008 3:03 PM PDT 0 recs

Things change

Linden signed in November and since that time they have picked up other outfielders through trades and waivers ( Sweeney, Brown, & Fiorentino all signed in Jan.). That makes a big difference from when Linden signed. Maybe they did figure he could have a roster spot on the team at that time and signed him to a minor league contract for several reasons: 1. To save $$ 2. To make him prove himself. This is all speculation but it certainly puts a different spin on things.

by jamit88 on Mar 21, 2008 11:14 AM PDT up 0 recs