I Miss Marco

by oakland ehs on Apr 5, 2008 10:38 AM PDT Comment 30 comments

... Scutaro!

I know, I know. He would have commanded too much money for his contributions to the team, Donnie Murphy does the same thing for the league minimum, blah blah blah.

And yes, I know we are the Oakland A's and not the Boston Red Sox, where they will overpay for a role player just because he is who he is in the clubhouse, to the fans, and on the field.

But let's take a look at Marco's body of work so far this season with the Blue Jays, albeit a small sample size.

He's started all 4 games at 3B, including a 5th today.

3/11, 2 R, 1 RBI, 3 SB, .273/.429/.273

3 stolen bases? And this is a team run by JP Riccardi?

But wow, Scooter can run, and he's run on a catcher with a pretty good arm in Jose Molina, and a decent one in Kevin Cash. Makes you wonder what would have been produced if the A's had been a little more free on the base paths last season like they plan to be this year.

He is on pace for 122 by the way.

Not only has Scutaro been running rampant on the basepaths, but he's had a few beautiful defensive stops at third, and his arm hasn't been too much of a detriment over there either.

I'm not trying to take away from Murphy or Jack Hannahan, but I just wanted to say I miss Scooter and it's nice to see he's having a great start in Toronto.

I only get to see a handful of A's games televised a year, but at least I can see Scutaro's Jays over 100 times... if I choose to.

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I don't miss Scutaro at all

because I don't get emotionally attached to meh players who get a few clutch hits.

I just wish I could figure out why Murphy wasn't starting over Hannahan since everything I've seen suggests he's a better player now (And could improve to be significantly better).

http://bocropleasestopswingingatbadpitches.blogspot.com/

by thejd44 on Apr 5, 2008 10:47 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Really?

I'm pretty high on Hannahan whereas I've cooled a lot on Murphy. He has an excellent arm, but (and this is judging by the eye, so you'll probably shoot me down with stats) average range. He should get at bats against lefties though.

by OldhamA on Apr 5, 2008 12:45 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I think "average range" is probably accurate

when talking about his shortstop. I imagine he must be at least as good as Hannahan defensively.

Murphy hasn't hit righties in the majors, but he's also quite a bit younger than Hannahan and his minor league numbers are better (especially since Hannahan's best minor league seasons came after he could legitimately be called a prospect).

I look at Murphy as one of those guys who just needs to get a chance to prove whether he can play. I can't figure out what Hannahan has done to leapfrog him as the everyday 3B while Chavez is out. It must be the splits, but I think Murphy is significantly better now than he was as a 21/22 year old with KC. And I just don't put a ton of stock into his 85 PA against righties last year, bad as they were.

http://bocropleasestopswingingatbadpitches.blogspot.com/

by thejd44 on Apr 5, 2008 5:26 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Murphy is not a particularly good defensive 3B

He's definitely worse than Hannahan at the position. Range is irrelevant at third base, which is good because Hannahan doesn't really have any.

I'm not sure what the big deal is-- it seems pretty clear that neither of them is a long-term answer at either position. The A's have much better prospects than Murphy at shortstop in the minors down the road, and Chavez is still the everyday third baseman for the foreseeable future. Ultimately the decision on which to keep may come down to which one has options left, and that's Hannahan.

Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.

by PaulThomas on Apr 5, 2008 8:46 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Don't be too sure about Chavez

His recovery has been only setbacks so far and there is just no guarantee what kind of player he'll be upon his return. It's sad but true - the range of possibilities run from the 30/100 gold glover we knew and loved to retirement at the age of 32 following failed attempts at recovery.

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 Apr 6, 2008 9:22 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Well, if so

we can expect the Adrian Beltre era starting in 2010... cause there ain't nothing coming up from the farm system.

Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.

by PaulThomas on Apr 6, 2008 5:14 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

"The A's have much better prospects than Murphy at shortstop in the minors down the road"

Based on how little any of those guys have shown they can hit even minor league pitching, I definitely disagree.

http://bocropleasestopswingingatbadpitches.blogspot.com/

by thejd44 on Apr 7, 2008 10:46 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

seems harsh

marco had more than a "few clutch hits". he is responsible for a small handful of the most exciting offensive moments that this team had in the last few years. you may consider his base-clearing double in the clincher against the twins to be just one of a few clutch hits, but for me, and i suspect for others, it was perhaps the most europhic moment of the last 15 years of a's baseball. i miss scutaro too. i don't know if he would have been worth the money to keep, but if you don't get attached to players like him, who do you get attached to? guys that get injured or guys that get traded?

Zito: You ever think about the space time continuum?
Huddy: Uh... no.

by mendelbob on Apr 5, 2008 5:51 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Generally speaking, guys who perform consistently

and LOOGYs, but that's just because I'm weird.

I'm certainly happy when bad players do good things, but I don't attribute any special love for those guys. Good players are just as clutch, but they're good all the time and not just here and there in memorable situations.

http://bocropleasestopswingingatbadpitches.blogspot.com/

by thejd44 on Apr 7, 2008 10:47 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I miss Scuraro "Captain Clutch"

Had some seriously big hits for us and gave us fans a lot of pleasure watching him play he was a true gamer

by Athletic on Apr 5, 2008 11:57 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

At least one of those steals came against Wakefield

who's pretty much Mr. Defensive Indifference when it comes to holding runners on.

Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.

by PaulThomas on Apr 5, 2008 12:15 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

The A's won't steal this year, either.

But wow, Scooter can run, and he's run on a catcher with a pretty good arm in Jose Molina, and a decent one in Kevin Cash. Makes you wonder what would have been produced if the A's had been a little more free on the base paths last season like they plan to be this year.

Byrnes stole 50 bases last year for the Diamondbacks. The A's never turned him loose. What makes you think they'll let anyone steal bases this year? They talk the talk, but they never walk the walk. Okay, they do walk a lot.

Go A's!

by FoolshGame22 on Apr 5, 2008 12:23 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Anyone seen Kendall's stats so far

Started 4/5 games for brewers
12 AB
500 BA
>700 SLG
What got into him?

by asfansince1989 on Apr 5, 2008 12:40 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

He's in Milwalkee, do you have to ask?

by Zonis on Apr 5, 2008 1:43 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Cubs pitching has had a lot to do with it.

http://bocropleasestopswingingatbadpitches.blogspot.com/

by thejd44 on Apr 5, 2008 5:26 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I hope you guys aren't getting too hostile about my diary here... I just meant I liked the guy and it was more of a thread to say "hey look... Scutaro's having a good year", not "OMG BILLY WHY DID WE LET HIM GO WHAT A TRAVESTY"

love, mike in canada

by oakland ehs on Apr 5, 2008 12:58 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

The one player that

deserved to have his own bobblehead day was Marco Scutaro and the A's never gave him one. Too sad..

by sf drift king on Apr 5, 2008 1:11 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

that would've been an awesome bobblehead

"Don't be an ass!" --Bill King

by batgirl on Apr 5, 2008 2:10 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

can't say i'm missing scoot yet

but when chavez is declared out for the season, murphy or hannahan catch the oakland injury bug, and crosby's hitting .210 ... then I'll miss him.

by phastphill on Apr 5, 2008 1:36 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Eh

If Murphy AND Hannahan somehow end up injured... then we'll see Kevin Melillo and Gregorio Petit, maybe Brooks Conrad.

That's the beauty of a rebuilding team-- there's always someone worth a try-out.

Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.

by PaulThomas on Apr 5, 2008 5:22 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

feeling better already

by phastphill on Apr 6, 2008 12:09 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I like your diary

and your fanpost. I miss Scutaro a bunch, too. I remember when his nickname was MIchael!! I hope he kicks ass for Toronto.

by Reg on Apr 5, 2008 4:02 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I miss him too....

BUT

After watching Eveland today dominate, I would not really be up for second guessing Billy Beane. Not today.

2008 Oakland Athletics...more than meets the eye!

by OptimistPrime on Apr 5, 2008 4:26 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

What does Eveland have to do with Scutaro?

"There is an HR in Hanrahan." ~ mikeA

by Poppy on Apr 5, 2008 6:57 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

They both have an "a" for their third to last letter

Are you even paying attention?

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 Apr 5, 2008 7:13 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

they were both involved in trades?

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 Apr 5, 2008 9:30 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Neither can OPS .700 or play 3B?

OK that was mean - we love you, Marco.

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 Apr 6, 2008 9:23 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

ugh

I don't get to many A's games. I had the fortune of being at Scoot's 4-error performance at third base last summer!

by phastphill on Apr 6, 2008 12:12 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Ah yes, I was there for that too

I felt Bob Brenly in the stadium.

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 Apr 6, 2008 7:19 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs