A's Fail To Show Up In Day Game
by baseballgirl on Apr 15, 2008 1:38 PM PDT
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PrintWell, on a day when every Athletic wore the number 42 in honor of Jackie Robinson, the A's failed to extract any magic out of the number; in fact, they didn't really show up in the game until a token appearance in the 9th, putting a run on the board just for fun.
Starter Dana Eveland was shaky from the get-go, even if he didn’t surrender a run until the bottom of the fourth, when he opened by hitting Konerko and walking Crede. Quentin promptly hit a three run homerun to seal the game for the White Sox.
It’s hard to say what exactly caused Eveland to fall apart, but aside from the first inning, he just never looked comfortable. It could have been the cold, or the wind, or the moisture in the air, but the speculation was that Eveland just couldn’t feel the ball like he should. In addition, I imagine it is increasingly difficult to pitch with the mindset of ‘I can’t give up a run’. The A’s offense struggled mightily yet again, and did not give their pitcher any support.
The bullpen was the lone bright spot today, as the combination of Devine and Saarloos (welcome back!) kept the White Sox from further damage, but it was too little, too late for today's game.
The A’s made their customary errors today, courtesy of Crosby, and earlier in the inning, Murphy, who got an out on a liner, then trying to get the DP, threw the ball away, and it ended up costing the A’s a run they couldn’t afford. Oh, who am I kidding...more than a one-run deficit would have done the A’s in today.
Despite the fact that the A's lead the majors in double plays, their defense still looks awfully shaky, but I guess if everything was going to fall apart, it had better all be in one game. The A's hitters, for the most part, look lost at the plate, and we can only hope this turns around. I'd like to go back to Toronto, personally.
Chalk it up to a loss, and forget about it, as the A's go home to face Seattle tomorrow night, having completed a wildly successful road trip, going 6-2.
And here is a great read from the minors that got buried with the early game time.
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I hate Emil Brown!
I don’t, but I just wanted to be the first one to say it. (Plus I wasn’t even around for the game today).
Can we keep small-sample-size Bobby Crosby? Please? -Joey C.
I'll take a 6-2 road trip!
What can you do. You can’t win them all. Let’s beat up on the M’s tomorrow, good guys! Go A’s! It’s pretty obvious that we need Chavy back, BTW. He sets the tone for killer D. I hope it’s sooner then later.
by A'sfansince1970 on Apr 15, 2008 1:50 PM PDT reply actions
actually you CAN win them all
it’s just not very likely.
how about 20 in a row, let’s do that again…
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
Generally, I'm a Geren fan, but ...
Why no Cust PH for Brown?
1. Emil is one of only 2 A’s with >5 PAs vs Jenks … and he’s 0/7 lifetime
2. Trailing 4-0 in the 9th with no one out, Cust’s strengths (HR/BB) far outweigh Brown’s (not sure what exactly they are, but I know they’re outweighed by Cust’s)
3. While Jenks has an odd reverse-platoon split (albeit slight; he’s basically just very good against batters irrespective of handedness), Cust has a decent platoon split, and Emil has a huge platoon split
4. Top of the 9th, Bob—gotta tie the game before worrying about defense or matchups in extras
Dumb decision, unless Cust is secretly hurt. Heck, even Hannahan, as badly as he’s been behind fastballs, would have been a better choice.
And what did we do once we discovered a rift in the fourth dimension? We launched a monkey into it. @('.')@
Exactly...
He’s been reluctant to pinch hit in the late innings for some reason.
If I recollect, Monkeyball, you were one of the proponents of PH for Cust in a point where you
needed contact. The A’s were 4 runs down, and even a 3 run homer wouldn’t have tied the game. The A’s needed contact more than they needed the homer, and Brown had a better chance of doing exactly what the A’s needed, getting the run home, if Crosby gets a hit, then you can ph Cust for Zook, or Denorfia, where he represents the tying run. I have no probelm with letting Emil hit.
by theblackpearl on Apr 15, 2008 2:09 PM PDT up reply actions
I would say they needed base runners
And Cust can certainly get on base.
yes, I was
“Contact” - of precisely the sort Emil provided - was worthless in that situation. You need baserunners and/or a big blast to drive in as many as possible, while preserving outs. Emil has a lousy OPS:out ratio. He’s about the worst possible batter on the roster in that situation, while Cust is one of the best.
And what did we do once we discovered a rift in the fourth dimension? We launched a monkey into it. @('.')@
in other words ...
The run that scored on Emil’s sac fly was utterly worthless, while the out was very costly.
Cust had a far greater chance of hitting a HR or working a BB there - either of which would have been worth far more than Emil’s RBI - and has less of a chance of making an out than Emil did.
A Cust K in that situation wouldn’t have been any less valuable or more costly than Emil’s SF.
And what did we do once we discovered a rift in the fourth dimension? We launched a monkey into it. @('.')@
but with his 16/9 SO/BB, he is more likely to strike out so far this year.
by theblackpearl on Apr 15, 2008 2:28 PM PDT up reply actions
He is more likely to get on base/not make an out than Brown
which is what was needed. Last year: Brown’s obp: .300 Cust: .406. It’s not that big a difference, but Cust is definitely the guy you want if you need to get on base. Contact doesn’t matter.
The A's colors are green and gold.
In fact, Cust even has a better obp
this year, even though he’s hitting .114.
The A's colors are green and gold.
The only thing that sca fly did
was pad his stats a little. Same with getting tossed trying for two- it only cost the team, not his line.
Good Games Guys
I always enjoy when my Sox play the A’s, usually because one organization seems to be diametrically opposed to the other. Sox could do well to learn the ways exploiting market inefficiencies like the A’s do so well.
I’m just lucky the Sox have much more money to waste or this team wouldn’t be very exciting this year.
Good luck the rest of the year especially against the Tribe, Tigers, Royals and Twinkies!
Like I said in the game thread, we need to rethink our vs. LHP lineup
We’ve scored a total of 4 runs in 5 games off left handed starters not named C.C. Sabathia. Something needs to change. And Cust needs to be in the game late for Brown there, you cannot justify any position to the contrary.
Prince: This bores me. Is anyone up for a game of basketball?
I should add 5 games in April, I wasn't counting the Lester Tokyo start
Prince: This bores me. Is anyone up for a game of basketball?
"Lester Tokyo"
Any relation to Ron Mexico?
And what did we do once we discovered a rift in the fourth dimension? We launched a monkey into it. @('.')@
Lester Tokyo's Rooster Fighting Scandal!!
Turns out Lester Tokyo has been breeding roosters for fighting in his own back yard. I couldn’t find the link to the article…sorry.
Isn't this cherry-picking at its finest?
“We’ve done terribly in a 5 game sample – ok, I’ve omited the two starts against Sabathia and the Lester start in Tokyo!”
So we do poorly in the United States against the thinner LHPs?
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
So, what, 25 runs overall?
There’s no reason to make a mediocre point when there’s a perfectly valid one to be made if you just exaggerate a little less. 25 runs in 8 games IS bad.
Not outrageously bad, however, nor is there any reason to start panicking and making impulsive roster changes at this point.
Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.
Seems like the old rule of thumb of two months
would be a good time.
If the offense is still producing under 4 runs a game against lefty starters at that point, it’s time to make some changes.
Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.
"Professor, would you say it's time for our viewers to panic?"
“Mmm, yes I would, Kent.”
There is an A in Whimsy.
by FreeSeatUpgrade on Apr 16, 2008 10:05 AM PDT up reply actions
or swisher and haren
waaaaahhhhhhh
just kidding
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
on the ball
I like the way the team is moving. We can’t win every game, but I think we’re going to only get better at the plate with these young guys and…....
aw hell, it still ruins my day when we lose! I’ll take the 6-2 trip though.
It's just more exciting with Billy Beane running the team.
Great quote from Saarloos after getting promoted to the A's:
“Coming into spring, I thought I had a decent chance at a spot, and I didn’t get a spot,” Saarloos said. “But if you take a (minor-league) assignment and mope and don’t give it your best effort, you’re selling yourself short. You go and work hard and if everything falls into place, something like this happens.”
Talk about a coach’s dream. What a good guy. Not only will he serve a purpose as a long man in the ‘pen, but it also sets an example of how the A’s want players to conduct themselves. He got rewarded for working hard and succeeding, and not being a distraction in AAA.
by notsellingjeans on Apr 15, 2008 2:05 PM PDT reply actions
Meanwhile, Linden has a 1000+ OPS
and the A’s aren’t calling him up. Attitude matters, fellows!
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
the only reason Beane called Saarloos up ...
... was because of all those call-Saarloos-up! FanPosts that Kirk and his family and friends made immediately after registering.
And what did we do once we discovered a rift in the fourth dimension? We launched a monkey into it. @('.')@
Was Crash Davis his interview tutor?
“I just want to give it my best shot and good lord willing, things’ll work out”.
All kidding aside, it’s refreshing to hear things like that. Now, if we can just get him to drop a couple of those extra vowels from his name. Hurts my eyes.
I'm here to talk about the past.
Weather
Maybe it has just been the cold, but what happened to the power these guys were showing all spring?
Yep
So, bring on Bonds! Or, not... then, bring back Langerhans!! -One won lost one
by baseballgirl on Apr 15, 2008 2:09 PM PDT up reply actions
The fact that they give a crap at all about who's pitching long relief
indicates that they think the team is (kind of) for real.
Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.
To a point, sure
But, looking at the bullpen before Saars was called up:
Street
Embree
Casilla
Brown
Devine
Foulke
Hernandez
DiNardo (moved to rotation)
With Pecs getting pushed into a spot start, and likely staying in the rotation until Duke comes back, which one of those guys is able to go out and throw 3 or 4 innings if needed?
i think it indicates
they want guys who can pitch in the big leagues on the big league roster
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
Yeah, I'm not sure even Slusser believes that headline
Given that she refers, by contrast, to the fact that the A’s kept Rule V pick Jay Marshall on the roster for the entire ersatz-contending 2007 season.
There is an A in Whimsy.
by FreeSeatUpgrade on Apr 15, 2008 3:29 PM PDT up reply actions
as opposed to keeping Marshall all 2007
when they thought they could contend for about half the season?
That was the half of the season
when Marshall was actually not that bad.
He had a terrible July and August.
Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.
Here's hoping
Then maybe we can have some real fans show up to games.
Oh, wait. They already do.
I'm here to talk about the past.
Arbitration cutoff/Evan Longoria/Carlos Gonzalez
I posted this in an earlier thread in response to a few questions, but I think I was the “last guy to the party” and everyone had moved on by then. I apologize for being redundant if you’ve seen this already.
The arbitration “cutoff” for becoming a Super Two arbitration-eligible player is not a specific day. It’s intentionally tricky/vague to try and discourage teams from blatantly jerking with players, I’d imagine. Basically, if a player finishes in the top 17% of “service time days” for all players with 2+ years of service time but less than 3, he’ll be arbitration eligible.
There are 186 days in a major league season (IIRC), but a “full season” is considered 172 days for counting purposes. So by keeping Longoria down just long enough, the Rays ensured that he’ll finish the year with something like 171 service time days – just short of one year. This means that, years from now, he’ll have 5.171 days of service time – making him one DAY shy of free agency…but in actually, giving the club an additional full year of club control. (Players aren’t eligible to become FAs until the season after they reach 6 years).
Back to arbitration: You can’t say exactly what DAY to call up CarGon and avoid him reaching arbitration status because of that 17% rule. But from Keith Law and Cot’s, “The historical cutoff point for Super 2 status is 2 years, 128 days of service, though the requirement has been as high as 2 years, 140 days.”
So you can see why you can’t narrow it down to a specific date. To be safe though, you could guarantee that if you called him up in mid-June he wouldn’t ever be a Super Two. If you called him up in early June he might be, and if you called him up in mid-May he’d certainly be.
But, we know for sure that Longoria will be a Super Two. In fact, after the 2010 season, he’ll probably have the most service time of any player with between and 2 and 3 years of service – because he’ll have 2 years, 170-171 days (2.171).
*This is less of an issue with a player like Coco Crisp (who was a Super Two once) than it is with Evan Longoria or Ryan Braun, though. Crisp wasn’t considered one of the top 10 prospects in the game when he came up, so it was a bit of a surprise that he did as well as he did. Perhaps the Indians gave little clock to him ever being a Super Two, because they might’ve thought they were bringing him up as a stopgap solution, and would send him down again eventually. For mediocre prospects, teams probably don’t give as much thought to their arbitration clocks…because you can predict that a mediocre prospect will get sent down at some point again anyway.
With a Longoria or a Braun, you pretty much know that the moment they hit the bigs, they’re gonna stick – so you can plan out their MLB service-time from the point of their callup.
We could debate if Carlos Gonzalez falls into the category of those latter two. I don’t think it’s guaranteed that he’ll be ready to be called anytime before mid-June, and I don’t think he presents the upgrade to us that Braun did to the Brewers, so there’s less to gain from rushing him. And even if CarGon does come up at some point this year, he could also find his way back to AAA again, which would make a lot of our Arby Clock/FA timeline discussions moot.
by notsellingjeans on Apr 15, 2008 2:11 PM PDT reply actions
Wait on CarGon
Well if we’re so worried about CarGon’s arbitration clock, and the team is going to make a real effort at competing for the division I don’t see any reason to not give Linden a shot.
seriously
It seemed the only reason Linden did not break with the club was that he thought he should. Let’s not be petty when dealing with the well-being of the franchise. Teaching a cocky kid a lesson is less important than teaching the Angels a lesson with that same cocky kid.
You don't win friends with salad.
CarGonArbClo
And what did we do once we discovered a rift in the fourth dimension? We launched a monkey into it. @('.')@
So if it's an Arb Clock on the Patrol Craft,
does that make it a chronometer?
Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.
no, that's what you use to measure the redness of Dan Haren's eyes
And what did we do once we discovered a rift in the fourth dimension? We launched a monkey into it. @('.')@
Someone found an article on Gonzalez written by a Venezuelan daily
and used Babelfish (or some other computer translation program) to translate it. As you can expect, the translation was a little bit funky. Apparently the word for “outfielder” literally translates to something like “patroller,” which is also the word that’s used to describe a patrol boat… so Babelfish rendered it as “Patrol Craft”.
It also talked about him roaming the “central gardens”.
Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.
It's a stupid in-joke
which hasn’t run it’s course yet. It still amuses me.
I’m sure that by 2 months after he’s called up, it will have completely lost all meaning to anyone.
Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.
Eveland looked real shaky
watched a couple of the middle innings over lunch. he had at least two pitches that i saw that completely slipped out of his hands on the release. looked like he was having a real hard time getting a grip on the ball and locating pitches where he wanted them.
good gawd the white sox announcers are terrible.
Lecter Tokyo?
And what did we do once we discovered a rift in the fourth dimension? We launched a monkey into it. @('.')@
More not-toon strategery
From Slusser’s game wrap:
Geren said that left-handed hitting Jack Cust and Jack Hannahan will be back in the lineup Wednesday night against Seattle right-hander Felix Hernandez.
And what did we do once we discovered a rift in the fourth dimension? We launched a monkey into it. @('.')@
This is as it should be
Not sure where the dismissive tone is coming from.
Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.
the strategy itself makes sense
It’s the refusal to call it a platoon that’s preposterous.
As is not PH’ing Cust for Emil in the 9th today.
And what did we do once we discovered a rift in the fourth dimension? We launched a monkey into it. @('.')@
I'm bothered even more by their consistency -
I wouldn’t mind at all if Hannahan and Cust mixed in a little contact!
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
HAWT
And what did we do once we discovered a rift in the fourth dimension? We launched a monkey into it. @('.')@
Keep the streak!
I’ve commented on every game so far can’t stop now.
I missed the entire game so I can only say I picked the right game to completely miss.
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