Spring Training: What We've Learned So Far
by Blez
on Mar 2, 2008 10:23 PM PST
There isn't much to be deduced from what you see during the spring. For example, veteran pitchers almost always have bad springs. I remember for several seasons that Hudson, Mulder and Zito almost always seemed to get hit around down in Arizona and then the season started and a switch almost always turned on.
Course things are different when you're someone like Carlos Gonzalez or Greg Smith and you're trying to show the team that you deserve to break camp with the team. Or that you could even potentially replace someone like a Joe Blanton if need be. I don't think Beane would make a decision based solely on a stellar spring training performance, but it can definitely make him feel more confident about making a deal if he has several auditioning pitchers showing major league readiness.
So it's four games in, the A's are 3-1 and have been blown out once, blown out the Brewers and Giants and then followed that up with a come-from-behind win today.
The things we've been able to learn so far:
- All the king's horses and all the king's men haven't been able to fully put Eric Chavez back together again. Yep, Chavy seems like he might not be ready for opening day in Japan, which is fine with me for now. Hannahan proved himself to be an adequate replacement for Eric last year. I wouldn't mind seeing someone who is trying to recover from back surgery on a plane to Japan. Just get fully healthy, Eric. I'm pretty sure that you'll still have a hot corner waiting for you when you come back.
- Jack Cust is obviously a man on a mission. He gained 27 pounds of muscle this offseason which has led to a 3.000 OPS for the three games he's played. He's got an atypical Cust line in that he has three walks and two home runs and no strikeouts, so you can't read too much into it. But it seems like he's unbelievably motivated.
- Carlos Gonzalez looks like he wants to stay. Not only from his bat, but he had an amazing (at least according to those who saw it) throw to the plate today to gun down Colorado's Garret Atkins. It would be really nice if the A's got a stellar outfielder making the big club two years in a row. I'm not counting on it happening especially because the A's will probably want to give a few different players like Ryan Sweeney every opportunity and camp is shorter for the A's because of the Japan trip. But I'm kind of hoping the kind has it in him to excel every moment he's in there. If you're going to rebuild and he seems ready, let him get acclimated in the bigs.
- In some ways related to Gonzalez, I really don't want Emil Brown to have a good spring. It sounds bad, but Brown making the club doesn't make the A's more exciting to me. Sure, he has a lot more experience than some of the other A's options and I know that this is being selfish, but I just want to see the rebuilding really impacting this year. I probably need to learn to be patient.
- SB Nation writers have fantastically talented brother in laws. Well, OK, so it's only Dex from Gaslamp Ball whose brother happens to be Brooks Conrad, but we'll take it. Conrad is tied for the team lead in total bases with 12. He's tied with Cust.
- Finally, Rich Harden makes his first start of the spring tomorrow. I plan on sacrificing three chickens and consulting the ouija board tonight while burning incense.
Ultimately, you can't really draw any conclusions from spring training, let alone four games into the spring, but believe it or not, this seems like a really fun spring already. Not because the A's are winning, although smacking around Zito is fun no matter when, but because it seems like there are so many question marks up in the air and a lot of exciting potential answers.
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cust
didn't know that about the gains...that's awesome. i'm sure someone is gonna have a stupid, tired mitchell report joke for that though.
President of the Joey Devine fan club as of 1/15/08. Accepting applications for other positions. "He has no equivalent." -Paul DePodesta on Jeremy Brown
by flipgatey3 on Mar 2, 2008 10:50 PM PST 0 recs
Anytime a player gains 27 pounds of "muscle"
in this day and age it's going to raise eyebrows.
by IM4Oakgal on
Mar 3, 2008 12:37 AM PST
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I agree
That does bother me a little bit.
On the other hand, didn't Cust lose like 15 pounds during last season? Maybe a lot of that was putting back on weight that was lost during the season. And "27 pounds of muscle" doesn't necessarily mean anything literally. It's just a way of saying "27 pounds, and he didn't just get fat."
by thejd44 on
Mar 3, 2008 12:43 AM PST
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hgh
As someone who has spent his life in the gym, I believe that unless Cust really was only rebuilding his lost mass from the season, he couldn't have put on 27 pounds of muscle in 4 months without help. He's 30-years-old and pretty big to begin with. Doesn't happen. Hopefully he at least took a balanced approach and introduced flexibility and cardio. Otherwise, he'll hit the DL faster than a grand jury can indict Clemens.
Signatures? We don't need no stinking signatures.
by jubjub on
Mar 3, 2008 7:12 AM PST
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You might know this, but I don't.
Is adding lost weight easier to do clean than adding additional weight? I think you imply that it is. If he lost 15-20 pounds during last season, would regaining that be easier than "bulking up" to some new weight?
And can HGH really give you 27 pounds of muscle in a few months?
by thejd44 on
Mar 3, 2008 11:27 AM PST
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not easier
but if you recently lost quite a bit of muscle mass, it comes back quite easily because a lot of the underlying structure is already there. Ask any guy who bulked up, stopped lifting because of an injury (or new girlfriend) and then went back and found they put their bulk on quite quickly. So, it's not eaiser to do clean, but if he had recently lost a bunch of bulk, it might offer hope that he was simply putting it back on, not adding 27 lbs of new mass in a few months (which is basically impossible without help).
Signatures? We don't need no stinking signatures.
by jubjub on
Mar 3, 2008 2:27 PM PST
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what will Beane do...
if this team kicks ass in Spring Training? I think most people still expect him to trade Blanton and, if there are any takers, Crosby. Nobody would be that surprised if Ellis was shipped out.
But, what if this team ripped it up during Spring Training? What if Crosby leads all hitters in homeruns and OBP during the spring? What if C-Gon proves he's up to a starting job in the outfield. What if we have an abundance of riches at 1st base with Barton and DJ and Sweeney tearing the cover off the ball?
I think Beane will have to go out and get us some more starters for the rotation. Which means, DJ's probably gone, but he's so cheap, with 3 more years of control. Hmmmm... BB will figure it out.
Go A's!
by FoolshGame22 on Mar 2, 2008 11:14 PM PST 0 recs
Let's dream together!
Yeah, that would be a beautiful fiction. However, DJ gone would make me happy, I am tired of his act. Barton at first, Cust and Sweeney platooning DH and Sweeney backup at first. I may be wrong, but I just have a feeling that Blanton is not going to get traded. I just don't see anyone out there willing to be BB next chapter in the sequel...Revenge of the Billy.
"Doesn't play well with the other children." Ms. Darias, principal, Broad Ave School
by since72 on
Mar 2, 2008 11:20 PM PST
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Replying to FoolshGame22, don't get overexcited about a Spring Training record,
it is virtually meaningless. The same can be had of individual player performances. We all want to see the A's
kick butt in Spring Training, but wouldn't you rather get excited if they had a decent regular season performance?
Beane isn't going to go out and get more starters for the rotation, even if everyone tears it up Spring Training.
There are plenty of qualified arms in Spring Training, and absolutely no reason to go out and purchase add'l
ones.
Mike O'Dowd
by Mikko O on
Mar 2, 2008 11:26 PM PST
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the A's have exactly "one" qualified arm...
in their projected rotation. And, that's Blanton. Sure, if Harden is healthy (and, I expect him to be), that will make two. But, let's face it, most of AN doesn't expect Rich to make it beyond his 2nd start. And, Gaudin... okay, qualified, maybe, if he's okay coming off his surgery. So, maybe we have 3, if really lucky. Oh, and Duke... a guy who has always wanted to be a starter. I love Duke... he could be the next Huddy, who knows, but I doubt it.
So, if this team kicks ass during the spring, trust me, Billy is gonna go get another arm for the rotation.
Go A's!
by FoolshGame22 on
Mar 2, 2008 11:37 PM PST
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I just don't think the A's need another arm.
If the A's go out and trade for another arm, then they are back where they started: selling their future for a team that has to have everything break right for them to win the devision. Before Beane even thinks about a trade I want to see Eveland, Meyers, Smith, Braden, and GoGon all given shots to make the rotation.
As long as we are playing the "everyone plays to their potential game," Eveland and GoGon both pitching like we know they can will make a VERY good rotation along with Harden, Gaudin, and Duke.
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 2, 2008 11:44 PM PST
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I'm with you, actually...
If one of those guys steps up and earns a job in the rotation, Beane will stand pat. Although, I still think he'll dump DJ and maybe Crosby and/or Ellis.
But, if none of 'em does, and the offense looks awesome during the spring, he will go out and get another arm. Right now, I have far less confidence in our starting rotation than I do in any other aspect of the team. Do you disagree?
Go A's!
by FoolshGame22 on
Mar 2, 2008 11:49 PM PST
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I do
There's no way you trade a top starter and then panic and three months later go out and buy a new one.
That's like a 1999-vintage amateur day trader move-- sell a stock, then watch it go up in price and frantically buy it again, then watch it crash and lose value. Beane knows his investment axioms (that's why they pay him 50 grand for speaking engagements...). There's no way he falls into that trap.
Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.
by PaulThomas on
Mar 3, 2008 9:02 AM PST
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Nice job Blezy
Agree about Chavy, as I posted earlier this week, we need to just bite the bullet...same goes with E. Brown. Give CarGon the shot in left. I would say that what this spring has shown us thus far is that we are not really as bad offensively as we may have feared and that our pitching may be right where we thought.
"Doesn't play well with the other children." Ms. Darias, principal, Broad Ave School
by since72 on Mar 2, 2008 11:17 PM PST 0 recs
CarGon in left??!!
With his arm, sticking him in left would be akin to using a healthy Rich Harden as your Utility Infielder. With all due respect, I want to see CarGon gunning down runners at first from right field, or throwing people out at the plate from center.
I think if CarGon makes the team that pushes Buck and his weak arm to left, Brown or R. Sweeny out of the line-up, and CarGon takes over right with that sweet, sweet throwing arm of his.
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 2, 2008 11:38 PM PST
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Anyone good with Retrosheet/Baseball Reference here?
When was the last time a batter was retired on a 9-3 forceout in Major League Baseball? I'm genuinely curious.
Also, was his last name Molina?
Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.
by PaulThomas on
Mar 3, 2008 8:06 AM PST
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Andre Dawson once nailed a Gnats pitcher at first
Unfortunately, I don't remember when.
"Evidently, a large number of people said, 'We really need more vermin at the ballpark, Artie.'" - Nick, 10/7/07
by doctorK on
Mar 3, 2008 10:34 AM PST
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Fun Spring Indeed
I agree that it has been fun watching the A's so far this spring- and I have complete confidence that this will be a fun team to watch all year. Why? Mostly because the so called "experts" expect nothing from us and forecast us to finish dead last. If we happen to make their predictions come true, then so what? However, if we do better and turn into a surprise contending team, then it will be a wild, wild ride to October. 2008 is going to be a great year!
The greenmachine
by greenmachine on Mar 3, 2008 5:21 AM PST 0 recs
I have officially become
an Emil Brown fan. I hope he tears it up in Arizona and makes the team.
For the life of me, I can't figure out why some AN'ers don't want to see him succeed. He's an Oakland A! Why the heck would you not root for him?! That just makes no sense to me ... Ryan Sweeney gets more love, for cryin' out loud.
Look, if Gonzalez does great and makes the team -- super! If Sweeney does well, that's great too. I want the best outfielders to make the team, because it helps the team win.
But to flat out root against someone wearing the A's uniform is counter-productive, if you ask me.
People read this site and drink the Kool-Aid. Crosby's a bum, Chavez is the best 3rd baseman ever, and if not for his injuries would already be in the HOF due to a special dispensation.
I hope Crosby comes back strong ... only because it helps the A's win. I hope Chavez finally lives up to the hype and does well ... only because it helps the A's win. And if Emil Brown has a good spring, it may help the A's as well.
C'mon Emil - I'm rootin' for ya!!
VacaAsFan
by Vacafan on Mar 3, 2008 6:01 AM PST 0 recs
Well said, vacafan...
They are the Oakland A's and I want to see the best outcome possible. Then Beane will have more pieces he can exchange if necessary to improve the team for the future even.
Charlie Brown GO A'S WIN
by Charlie Brown on
Mar 3, 2008 9:51 AM PST
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What?
"I hope Chavez finally lives up to the hype and does well "
Finally lives up to the hype? Exactly what is it about his production from 1998-2004 that was so awful? Actually, what about his 2005-2007 was bad? People act like Chavez is some replacement level player when he's been an above average hitter every single year except 1999 (his rookie season). It's frustrating that he's spent his prime years injured, but I'm pretty sure he's already lived up to the hype and then some.
by thejd44 on
Mar 3, 2008 11:37 AM PST
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Well,
my unhappiness with Chavez is well-documented. I like Eric Chavez -- I think he's a helluva nice guy and an incredible defensive 3rd baseman.
That being said, I think he has been a huge disappointment offensively. I know it's not very popular to say, but I find it very hard to believe that even the most rabid Chavez defender didn't expect more when he signed to stay on with Oakland. I think 30+ HR's and 100+ RBI each season is a good season for most people, but should have been expected from Chavez, minimum. I probably set my sights too high, but I believe he had the ability to do it. Still do.
But we have lowered the bar considerably for him, in my opinion (on this site.) You can talk OPS, slugging pct., yada yada. How many jacks? How many RBI? Don't even get me started on batting average ... nobody ever made the HOF on OPS.
VacaAsFan
by Vacafan on
Mar 3, 2008 2:36 PM PST
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The thing is,
you seem to be the only one who cares about judging Chavez by some arbitrary personal standard-- which, if it works like most arbitrary personal standards do, is pretty unlikely to be met-- rather than by the standards that everyone else thinks are fair, the average player in the league.
Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.
by PaulThomas on
Mar 3, 2008 5:54 PM PST
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Yup, I'm probably the "only one"
That being said ... can you honestly tell me you think Chavez has put up the offensive stats expected by the front office when they re-signed him? PT, you make it sound as if he was just some run-of-the-mill player the A's happened to re-sign.
C'mon man, I know you're young -- perhaps you don't remember (and that's not a criticism, by the way) but Chavez was supposed to be the face of the franchise -- a guy that would be the main cog in our lineup not only defensively but offensively as well. He was our A-Rod, Vlad, and/or Pujols. Now, I'm not saying he's as good as those guys -- all I'm saying is he was supposed to be our "star." Our best player, by far.
I can't believe you act as if 30/100 was/is some sort of "unrealistic" expectation for him. I don't believe for a second -- not for a second -- that Billy Beane didn't think that's what he was gettin'! And I guarantee you most fans on this site thought that's what we were gettin' as well ... even if some don't admit it now.
VacaAsFan
by Vacafan on
Mar 3, 2008 10:00 PM PST
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30/100 is unrealistic
Because he has only hit 30 homers twice in his career. Of course, he's hit 29 twice. But that's not good enough, right? That one double that smacked off the top of the wall and didn't go over the fence means he's not worth the coin?
Oh, and 100 RBIs. Well, despite being a nearly useless measure of a player's worth, Chavez has done that 4 times in his caeer. He didn't last year, but he only played 90 games because of injury. Didn't the year before either, but he played in 137 and probably should've been in even fewer because of injury. Plus, Frank Thomas got a lot of his RBIs (just like Jack Cust will get a lot of his RBIs this year).
The only legitimate criticism of Chavez is that he hasn't been able to stay healthy since signing the big contract. Although it's not his fault, it's fair to say he has been a disappointment in that regard. But his on-field play has been well above average, even in his "bad" seasons.
And you do realize that home runs are factored into slugging and batting average is a part of OPS, right? Why would you only want to look at a small piece of the puzzle to analyze a player when the full puzzle* is right in front of you?
* I know OPS/SLG aren't really the "full puzzle" of offensive ability. But they're a lot more indicative than AVG/HR/RBI
by thejd44 on
Mar 3, 2008 10:06 PM PST
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And you do realize that home runs are factored into slugging and batting average is a part of OPS, right? Why would you only want to look at a small piece of the puzzle to analyze a player when the full puzzle* is right in front of you?
You've hit on the ultimate irony in sports punditry: the fact that sabermetricians are routinely criticized for fetishizing stats, when in fact the SABR guys only care about stats if they actually indicate that you're helping your team-- while the "conventional" analysts trumpet things like RBI as if they were valuable for their own sake instead of evaluating them through the lens of "usefulness to the team." (RBIs are useful to a team (because they're the flip side of runs), but "RBI guys" aren't-- because RBIs are basically totally determined by generic hitting ability and team context.)
In other words, a SABR guy sees 2 guys with an 850 OPS and thinks they're helping their team the same amount, while the conventionalist sees that one has 20 HRs and the other only has 10 and thinks the first guy is a better player.
Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.
by PaulThomas on
Mar 4, 2008 1:51 PM PST
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Over the last three seasons ...
Chavez has averaged 26.8 home runs and 91.7 RBIs per 162 games.
Performance-wise, he's only very barely missed those expectations over the last three years, despite not being healthy. Where he's failed isn't his performance -- it's his health.
We all wanted to see a couple of MVP seasons from Chavez by this point -- but the fact remains, Eric Chavez has been a good player when he's been on the field, even over the last three down years.
"It's for your own good. Big strong Devo knows whats best for Poppy" -- Mossback
by devo on
Mar 3, 2008 10:44 PM PST
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Ok
I like Chavez (believe it or not) -- I really want to see him do well -- and I don't want to fight with you (believe it or not) :-) Just a few more comments ... jd44, you mention that 30 HR's is/was unrealistic because he "has only hit 30 HR's twice in his career." Well, that's kind of my point. I don't feel like going back and checking, but when did he sign his extension? Wasn't there a feeling -- and I admit, perhaps it was "just me," -- but wasn't there kind of a hint that he had not yet reached his celing?!
I mean, I follow the team pretty closely -- please don't tell me that the organization thought Chavez had piqued!! This was "thee GUY!" He was going to be our star ... I understand the points you make, but you ignore the fact that the A's re-signed him because the sky was the limit with him ... did I just imagine this?! Are you guys telling me that our FO signed him to the extension expecting these numbers from him offensively? We may just have to agree to disagree, but I think if Beane were to really tell the truth on this subject (he would never throw Chavez under the bus, of course) but he'd admit that he's disappointed with his offensive production.
I know that I'm hard on Chavez -- I like to stir the pot around here -- but I watched him come up with this team ... I was in Detroit in '99, and saw him crush two balls to straigtaway centerfield, that I don't think have come down yet. He had -- and perhaps that's the key word: had -- amazing talent offensively, and I envisioned .270-.280 regularly with 40 HR potential. Now, I know what I "envisioned" doesn't mean s***, but I know he has (had) the talent to do sooooo much more than he does ... healthy or not.
VacaAsFan
by Vacafan on
Mar 4, 2008 10:23 AM PST
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Hmm ... that seems like it was entirely a response to JD ...
I think your hopes were realistic ... but what we have to keep in mind is that when making projections, we need to plan for a range of realistic possibilities. It's unfair and unrealistic to be down on a player for failing to live up to the most optimistic part of that range.
Absolutely, we all hoped Chavez would do more -- hell, I went so far as project him to finish his career as one of the top-10 A's of all-time. He's pretty much shot that theory to shit.
But we shouldn't be down on him because we failed to remind ourselves that MVP caliber performances were just one of a range of possibilities -- and not the most likely one.
If Chavez could miraculously get healthy, .280/.400/.550 with 40 bombs, 130 RBIs, Gold Glove defense and an MVP award is still a possibility -- but even then, we shouldn't be disappointed if he only puts up .260/.350/.480 with 30 and 95.
"It's for your own good. Big strong Devo knows whats best for Poppy" -- Mossback
by devo on
Mar 4, 2008 11:53 AM PST
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I agree with you
you probably should learn to be patient (that goes for me too!)
If I were you I'd save my chickens for the regular season. Harden usually has a good spring training.
I'm also rooting for Emil Brown. He's an Oakland Athletic. People forget that despite his great spring last year, Buck only made the 25-man roster because of injuries. I don't want to see that kind of promotion for anyone this time.
by OaklandSi on Mar 3, 2008 6:44 AM PST 0 recs
Please tell me
that the 27 pounds of muscle thing is a joke...
Otherwise, that's like saying "Hi, I'm roiding. What are you going to do about it?"...
Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.
by PaulThomas on Mar 3, 2008 8:03 AM PST 0 recs
I read it somewhere
... but he lost 15-20 lbs during the 2007 season???? So really, he packed on his regular 15-20 lbs + added 7-12lbs of muscle.?
by Colorado Fan on
Mar 3, 2008 8:22 AM PST
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Here is the 27-pounds-of-muscle
And here is the quote:
The show-stealer, though, was Cust, who put on 27 pounds lifting weights this winter because he tends to lose a corresponding amount over the season.
by Blez on
Mar 3, 2008 8:42 AM PST
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Well, that quote doesn't look so bad.
He put on weight he had lost, lifted weights so he wasn't just putting on bad weight. I don't know. I haven't actually seen him. The real question is: Did his head put on any weight?
by thejd44 on
Mar 3, 2008 11:38 AM PST
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I wasn't saying that I think
Cust is using..but noone should be faulted for WONDERING. After all we have learned about PEDS it has to cross the minds of fans.
by IM4Oakgal on
Mar 3, 2008 9:16 PM PST
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I'm Cust Fan #1 *and* I don't give a flying f%$# about PEDs ...
... but, yeah, the optics on that are just bad.
I wasn't thinking about anything. I'll have to try to do that more often. @('.')@
by monkeyball on
Mar 3, 2008 8:59 AM PST
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Bobby Crosby - Swing Changes???
Has anyone seen any of the games in which Crosby got a few AB's? I'm interested to know if he's made some adjustments..
- Is he standing Closer to the Plate?
- Is he cutting-down/ shortening his swing?
- Does he look more comfortable at the plate?
Opposite Field HR kind of got my attention. Thanks!
by Colorado Fan on Mar 3, 2008 8:20 AM PST 0 recs
Korach and company
mentioned during the game that Crosby is now facing the pitcher more. Crosby said he's now seeing the pitcher with both eyes (??!!) and can see pitches longer.
by OaklandSi on
Mar 3, 2008 8:43 AM PST
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given the quality of pitchers he's seen so far ...
... it looks like he's standing closer to Sacramento.
I wasn't thinking about anything. I'll have to try to do that more often. @('.')@
by monkeyball on
Mar 3, 2008 9:00 AM PST
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Let's hope he's soon standing IN Sacramento
Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.
by PaulThomas on
Mar 3, 2008 9:04 AM PST
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I've learned that the White Sox might want Ellis
At least, that's what MLBTR thinks
3 team deal, please.
Ellis to ChiSox
Blanton to Dodgers
Crede to Dodgers
LaRoche, Kershaw, Hu, Abreu to Oakland.
Leave me alone, I'm not feeling well this morning.
by mikev on Mar 3, 2008 8:42 AM PST 0 recs
Sure, why not have them throw in Matt Kemp and James Loney too
... just for the hell of it.
Kershaw isn't going anywhere.
Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.
by PaulThomas on
Mar 3, 2008 9:06 AM PST
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And the White Sox have no need for Ellis...
Another writer stirring up the pot trying to write a fictious story... LOL
Charlie Brown GO A'S WIN
by Charlie Brown on
Mar 3, 2008 9:58 AM PST
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The White Sox have plenty of need for Mark Ellis.
Their current 2B options are Alexei Ramirez, Pablo Ozuna, or Danny Richar.
I don't know who those guys are, either, but a quick stat search of these guys made me cringe.
Ellis is one of the top 10 2B in baseball (when you include his D), and is only making $5 million. The above trade is completely improbable, but not because the White Sox don't need a second baseman. You could make the argument that the White Sox have no need for a one year contract, since they aren't likely to compete this year, but then again, they don't seem to get that either.
Without any inside knowledge, an Ellis to Chicago trade is a real possibility, but Chicago's lack of a farm system might make that hard for them, so a three-way trade could facilitate the whole deal.
As with all trade proposals seen on blogs, it's not likely, but it does make at least a whiff of sense.
Formerly known as hward86.
by BWH on
Mar 3, 2008 10:30 AM PST
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I was thinking
that since Crede has been repeatedly linked to the Giants, they might serve as the mysterious third-party in the trade. Who the A's would get back, I don't know. I could see something like Crede/Danks to SF, Noonan/Sosa to Oakland, Ellis/Misch to Chicago.
Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.
by PaulThomas on
Mar 3, 2008 11:31 AM PST
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Ellis to the Sox makes sense
Only if the White Sox are going to contend. Only Kenny Williams seriously thinks they will. But I don't think he'll make a move for Ellis now. He'll let all his guys fail (and they will) first.
The thing is, in late July when they'll need Ellis the A's will have a better record. The White Sox won't be looking to add a free-agent-to-be.
I don't see it happening.
by thejd44 on
Mar 3, 2008 11:39 AM PST
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Why are plane rides so injurious?
Look, I had to go back and forth to Detroit from Oakland, repeatedly, for months, fifteen years ago, with a back that was killing me. I mean, really bad. Since my salary was much less than Kotsay's or especially, Chavez, my only remedy was to kneel backwards (backwards to the normal sitting position in the seat) and lean toward the passenger behind me. That passenger and I would be looking face-to-face for half-hour stretches (I closed my eyes, mostly), but it saved my back.
Now, why cannot a ballclub "make space" on a charter flight, heck, unbolt some seats, ferchrissakes, and make it possible for a person with an injury, to stretch out horizontally for 4-10 hours?? I mean, this is a million-dollar asset, and you're allowing less space use than $200 in luggage???????
Why why why???
"I never predict anything, and I never will." Paul Gascoigne, English footballer
by One won lost won on Mar 3, 2008 8:59 AM PST 0 recs
Have you ever ridden a plane with ...
... $1.5 million in twenties and tens in your wallet? Let me tell you, sitting unevenly like that for 3-4 hours will really screw up your back.
I wasn't thinking about anything. I'll have to try to do that more often. @('.')@
by monkeyball on
Mar 3, 2008 9:03 AM PST
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Well, for one, your body wasn't your job
And your company didn't pay you lots and lots of money to make sure that body was tip-top.
I hate when people compare their mundane occupations to that of a professional athlete. Just because payment is given for performing the tasks in no way makes them comparable.
by thejd44 on
Mar 3, 2008 11:42 AM PST
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I think that's pretty much what he's saying...
These athletes are being paid large sums. Why won't the team make a greater effort to protect their investments in their players by creating a more comfortable traveling accommodations?
"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
Mar 3, 2008 12:19 PM PST
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The passenger who you faced must've just ...
loved that.
by IM4Oakgal on
Mar 3, 2008 9:13 PM PST
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emil brown
i hope he as a bad spring too...rebuilding actually excites me to see what the future holds...i don't see anything exciting about emil brown
by ArielPrieto on Mar 3, 2008 10:26 AM PST 0 recs
Thats nice Cust gained 27 lbs of muscle
Glad to see he is not off the juice maybe he should give some to Chavy so he can heal better
by Athletic on Mar 3, 2008 11:12 AM PST 0 recs
opening day starting lineup for outfielders
i wouldn't be suprised if the starters in the outfield were: brown, gonzalez, and buck with cust the DH
"This guy threw at his own son in a father-son game." -Harry Doyle from Major League
by greenandgoldpolarbear on Mar 3, 2008 11:35 AM PST 0 recs
Back from AZ.....
here are a few things I noticed during the three games I saw.
1. Crosby is standing closer to the plate. I know its hard to believe, but it's true. (I'm sure that will change after he gets drilled)
2. I was really impressed with Greg Smith. He had better velocity than I was expecting and a decent breaking ball.
3.Kurt Suzuki will out preform what is expected of him. I'm really excited about what he'll bring to the team this year and in years to come. Like all great catchers handling the pitching staff is his number one priority, but unlike the Gritty One he has pop. I think his offensive game is under rated and he should easily be able to mach the production of say.... Mark Ellis
4. Gissel > Eveland.... I know you shouldn't pass judgement in a two inning outing, but Eveland was not good. The best way I can describe him is he's not good enough to hold Joe K's (RIP) jock. Gissel on the other hand looked sharp, for the first outing of the year. His fastball was located well and with servicable velocity, but his offspeed pitches were what really got my attention, mostly because he placed them really well.
5. Watched Huston warm up in the bullpen and over heard him tell a coach his arm was stiff. Thats typical for this time of year, but it still made me uneasy when they sent him out to pitch anyways.
6. Cunningham and CarGo both looked good. I'd love to see them in the outfield with Buck after they get a little seasoning. CarGo has a cannon... that throw from left was unreal!
7. One last thing, I really feel for Zito. He just can't get his head right to face the A's even in spring training. He takes a lot of heat from Giant's fans and its not his fault Sabean is a MORON.
Well, thats pretty much it, there was a few other little things like Mike Sweeney's hustle and the joy of seeing Jason Kendall as a Brewer, but it's time to get back to work. Spring Training is a lot of fun I would highly suggest checking it out if you haven't yet.
by FarNorCalA'sFan on Mar 3, 2008 1:18 PM PST 0 recs
Great report FarNor.
Number 5 worries me ... Street is on my worry radar. As for Eveland , not good news. I have a lot of hopes for him as I am sure others do too. Good info.
by IM4Oakgal on
Mar 3, 2008 9:19 PM PST
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