Greg Smith to Make MLB Debut vs. Jays Tonight

by louismg on Apr 9, 2008 7:37 AM PDT

Another season, another scramble in April to find healthy starting pitchers for the A's. With Justin Duchscherer landing on the 15-day DL with a strained right bicep, Greg Smith has been called up to take on the Blue Jays at the Rogers Centre tonight at 7:07 EDT (4:07 PDT for you locals). The start will be his major league debut, and an opportunity to see if the A's can see immediate benefits from the controversial off-season trades of Dan Haren and Nick Swisher.

As an A's fan, I'm illogically bullish on the team this year, having seen them go 4-0 in lopsided games in Arizona during Spring Training, and battling in just about every contest, as they've managed a 4-4 record thus far. Having read all the bios of the team's newest players acquired in the off-season, I firmly believe the trades had to be made, as the personnel received has been so lopsided in our favor, both replenishing the farm system and giving us talent that can contribute now.

Do we miss Swisher and Haren? Absolutely. But with youngsters like Greg Smith, this is a team that can both be entertaining this year, and extremely competitive in the years forward. We've already seen Dana Eveland make mincemeat of the Cleveland Indians, and now, Smith looks to follow in his footsteps tonight north of the border.

Last season, Smith went 9-5 for the Diamondbacks' AA and AAA teams, with a 3.54 ERA in 22 games. Should be an exciting debut, taking on our good friends Frank Thomas, Marco Scutaro and Matt Stairs, eh?

No announcement has yet been made as to whose place on the 40-man roster Smith will be taking, although early speculation is that Dan Johnson could be moving on. Gametime is 4:07 PDT, 7:07 EDT. See you then.

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I'm hoping they don't just waive DJ. My vote is...

Chavez to the 60-day DL and Harden to the 15-day DL. I'd also swap Denorfia and Petit until Murphy improves.

by WaddellCanseco on Apr 9, 2008 7:46 AM PDT 0 recs

My vote is to trade DJ to the Giants.

I'm not greedy. I'd do it for someone like Erick Threets or Nate Scherholz or Travis Denker.

by mikev on Apr 9, 2008 8:10 AM PDT 0 recs

Wendall Fairely

Too much to ask for a guy that they will probably be able to pick up off waivers if they just wait, but hey, I'm allowed to dream, and we need to stockpile cf in case RS doesn't work out. I don't think CarGon should play CF ultimately.

Big Papi Eats Big Boogers

by Keze on Apr 9, 2008 9:18 AM PDT up 0 recs

Fairley isn't a CF

nor is he eligible to be traded yet, nor would they trade a first-round pick from a season ago for a 28-year-old backup first baseman.

Denker is at least kind of semi-plausible, since they got him for a guy (Mark Sweeney) who is, like DJ, easily replaceable and bad at defense.

Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.

by PaulThomas on Apr 9, 2008 9:26 AM PDT up 0 recs

Hmmm

I know that value-wise this is totally unreasonable, but for some reason I was under the mistaken impression that he was a true cf.

Big Papi Eats Big Boogers

by Keze on Apr 9, 2008 11:12 AM PDT up 0 recs

I believe he's thought of in the same terms as Gonzalez

i.e. a guy who can play center without making a total fool of himself, but not really a true defender at the position.

Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.

by PaulThomas on Apr 9, 2008 11:20 AM PDT up 0 recs

Their draft choices > those they've chosen in the draft.

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

by The Dogfather on Apr 9, 2008 10:28 AM PDT up 0 recs

i'm down for schierholtz

i'm good friends with his brother, but more importantly, the guy can hit

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 9, 2008 3:06 PM PDT up 0 recs

help

am I missing something? I clicked on the link in the last paragraph referring to DJ moving on possibly, but I did not see anything discussing it on Drumbeat. Help?

I think the beauty of the trade is that yes, Haren and Swish are gone, but seems just those two trades alone are helping at so many levels and positions. This year we are not so worried about an arm going down as we expected (harden=soften) when we see the performances of Smith and Eveland and Gio. Even rebuilding we are looking pretty good!

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

by OptimistPrime on Apr 9, 2008 8:14 AM PDT 0 recs

well there's been plenty of speculation here

but you can piece it together on the drumbeat too. start with this:

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/blogs/sfgate/detail?blogid=21&entry_id=25518

We all know that Duke was put on the DL to make room for Gaudin. Now they need room for one more pitcher, so again DJ is a likely candidate.

I agree with the consensus that Chavez should be put on the DL. One can only assume that BB is trying to sell DJ ... it wouldn't be surprising to find that there isn't much interest.

by phastphill on Apr 9, 2008 8:43 AM PDT up 0 recs

Slusser mentions it in today's A's Notes:

Bye-bye, Dan Johnson?: Tuesday night was very possibly Dan Johnson's last in an A's uniform. The team must make room on both the 25-man roster and the 40-man roster for tonight's starter, Greg Smith, and Johnson appears to be the most expendable. He has only one at-bat this season, and the A's have Barton at first base and Mike Sweeney and Jack Cust available to DH. Johnson is out of options and there's a good chance he would be claimed on waivers (the Giants are among those in the market for a first baseman). The A's can send him down only if he clears waivers, a process that takes three business days.
"Obviously, all I'm doing is sitting here waiting to see which way it goes," Johnson said. "There's really nothing I can say. If it happens, it happens. I'm a big boy, I'll keep going. ... I still think you haven't seen the best of me yet."

And here we see Susan unfortunately promulgating the company line (emphasis added):

There's a remote possibility they could place Rich Harden on the disabled list if it doesn't appear his back soreness has improved

Yeah, one can make an argument on the technical points that the subscapularis ain't on the front of the body, so therefore it must be on the back, but, c'mon. At least we're not getting another dose of the "it could have been the plane ride" nonsense, I guess.

And what did we do once we discovered a rift in the fourth dimension? We launched a monkey into it. @('.')@

by monkeyball on Apr 9, 2008 9:28 AM PDT up 0 recs

It could have been the plane ride

or it could have been pessimistic monkeys.

The A's colors are green and gold.

by mikeA on Apr 9, 2008 1:13 PM PDT up 0 recs

I think like a lot of people

I was (and still am) very excited by the thought of having these new guys in addition to Duke and Harden in the rotation, and a repaired Chavez.
Have to remind myself, though, that one of the major reasons we traded Haren and Swish was that we still have big ?'s regarding health. Good to see that as health is rearing its ugly head again, we have an exciting farm to tap into.

by oakinboston on Apr 9, 2008 8:18 AM PDT 0 recs

Keep Harden

According to the Chronicle this morning Harden was almost ready to go. Based on what they said about a strain I believe it was most likely caused by the flight. Having spent a lot of time in the air going between coasts for sports these kinds of strains in the back are common.

Basically it takes a day or two to work itself out and then it's fine.

I'd vote for trading DJ to the Giants. He deserves a shot at some PT but it looks like were stocked up and those people are hitting the ball well. I think he'll find time with the Giants considering their season is already over.

It's just more exciting with Billy Beane running the team.

by ru155 on Apr 9, 2008 8:18 AM PDT 0 recs

'da Giants

Only team that would consider DJ's bat an upgrade.

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

by gdub171 on Apr 9, 2008 8:22 AM PDT up 0 recs

maybe he could pitch for the rangers

by phastphill on Apr 9, 2008 8:46 AM PDT up 0 recs

Keep Harden as opposed to trading him? Not sure if the A's have an option there;

because the market for perennially injured pitchers who average just over 2 appearence per year isn't too hot.

by Bacon on Apr 9, 2008 8:35 AM PDT up 0 recs

not trade

someone suggested moving harden to the DL, while I was saying keep him active as it looks like only a minor issue

It's just more exciting with Billy Beane running the team.

by ru155 on Apr 9, 2008 2:10 PM PDT up 0 recs

All of Harden's injuries are minor yet keep him out for major time. Harden's biggest

problem is between his ears.

by Bacon on Apr 9, 2008 4:18 PM PDT up 0 recs

I actually lifted a bunch of weights a couple of weeks ago

and then got on a red eye to NYC and flew back the following evening. My shoulder has been screwed up ever since. Then again I was sitting in coach and not on a nice fancy charter.

by Blez on Apr 9, 2008 8:47 AM PDT up 0 recs

You didn't just do that for A's-blogdom research purposes, did you?

"There is an HR in Hanrahan." ~ mikeA

by Poppy on Apr 9, 2008 9:05 AM PDT up 0 recs

TRADE BLEZ TO PINESTRIP ALLEY NOW!!!

Whatever they're offering, we should accept just to get some value.

And what did we do once we discovered a rift in the fourth dimension? We launched a monkey into it. @('.')@

by monkeyball on Apr 9, 2008 9:30 AM PDT up 0 recs

if only we'd dealt blanton too!

If the reds accepted that Cueto, Votto, +1 trade... we would have ESPN and SI all over us talking about the 'next liriano'.

It would've been nice to have not one, but 2 more stud prospects in the system, but its always hilarious how the 'big news outlets' overhype a guy into a legend in just 1 start or 1 week.

So i guess, this was a hope that faded and a typical ESPN is the spawn of satan (unless they're broadcasting Champions League games) rant.

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

by gdub171 on Apr 9, 2008 8:21 AM PDT 0 recs

Liverpool / Arsenal

Bad PK call yesterday. Arsenal should have advanced on aggregate.

by Colorado Fan on Apr 9, 2008 8:46 AM PDT up 0 recs

Poor Bolton...

I cant believe they are going to be relegated! :(

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

by asfan777 on Apr 9, 2008 8:53 AM PDT up 0 recs

Isn't it great! :D

by OldhamA on Apr 9, 2008 9:04 AM PDT up 0 recs

No its sad...

Poor Wanderers... its like watching an old animal slowly die

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

by asfan777 on Apr 9, 2008 9:08 AM PDT up 0 recs

Watching Bolton is like watching paint

dry. It's football by numbers.

by OldhamA on Apr 9, 2008 9:10 AM PDT up 0 recs

Std. English football from Bolton

Long-ball, tackle, Long-ball, yellow card tackle, Long-ball... there's a trend.

Allardyce was the main thing keeping them competitive, and they're just awful now, I sure hope they get relegated. Too bad Fulham is left for dead as well... I don't really care for Wigan and was hoping the Lactics would drop.

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

by gdub171 on Apr 9, 2008 11:04 AM PDT up 0 recs

Careful, Betty Teal is getting nervous about the Bolton stuff

Mrs. Teal, this is for 15 pounds: and is to stop us from revealing the name of your LOVER IN BOLTON!!

So, Mrs. Teal, send us 15 pounds, by return of post please, and your husband Trevor, and your lovely children Diane, Janice, and Juliet, need never know the name... of your LOVER IN BOLTON!

Python fans, you know what I'm talking about - BLACKMAIL

My earliest memory in life is of Campy Campaneris

by eastcoasta'sfan on Apr 9, 2008 11:38 AM PDT up 0 recs

That's a very old fashioned view of the beautiful

game.

by OldhamA on Apr 9, 2008 12:05 PM PDT up 0 recs

Blatant penalty, mate.

Wenger's put together a team of chokers.

by OldhamA on Apr 9, 2008 9:04 AM PDT up 0 recs

Or maybe the nature of the Champions League

suits the way that Benitez has built Liverpool over the last several years.

A lot of teams, that were better on paper, have "choked" against Liverpool in the Champions League.

ZIPS: Milledge: 466 HR, 485 2B, 2282 hits, 278-379-524

by rfloh on Apr 9, 2008 9:20 AM PDT up 0 recs

Definition of chokers:

On the 21st of January they were in four competitions.

The next day they were hammered 5-1 by their North London rivals, Spurs, in the Carling Cup.

They were hammered by Utd in the FA Cup 4-0 on the 16th of February.

Yesterday they lost to Liverpool in the Champions League quarter finals.

In the midst of all that they're now six points behind in the title race - they're out of it if they lose against Utd on Sunday. They were running away with it at the turn of the year.

by OldhamA on Apr 9, 2008 9:27 AM PDT up 0 recs

So, the team overperformed initially and then are underperforming now?

What of it?

"In the midst of all that they're now six points behind in the title race - they're out of it if they lose against Utd on Sunday. They were running away with it at the turn of the year."

So? This is the nature of a year long league competition.

Definition of young team that is not really as good as they looked at the start of the season and not really as bad as they look now.

Were Chelsea also "chokers" last year?

ZIPS: Milledge: 466 HR, 485 2B, 2282 hits, 278-379-524

by rfloh on Apr 9, 2008 9:58 AM PDT up 0 recs

I'm not quite sure you understand the Premier League.

It's nothing like baseball. Teams with the finances of Arsenal simply don't go on runs like they had.

As for it being a young team, in terms of years from birth it is. However, there's enough experience there to stop such a shocking run of form. Fabregas being a prime example of this.

Chelsea were without the services of their best and most influencial player for a significant period last year, which is why they lost the league.

by OldhamA on Apr 9, 2008 10:11 AM PDT up 0 recs

I have been following English soccer since

the days of Kenny Dalglish, when he was playing, Graeme Souness, when he was playing.

"Chelsea were without the services of their best and most influencial player for a significant period last year, which is why they lost the league."

And Arsenal are without whom right now? Like oh, some guy , whose name I can't remember, plays for Croatia?

"As for it being a young team, in terms of years from birth it is. However, there's enough experience there to stop such a shocking run of form. Fabregas being a prime example of this"

And how much experience do they have, compared to Chelsea last season? Compared to some of the other teams?

ZIPS: Milledge: 466 HR, 485 2B, 2282 hits, 278-379-524

by rfloh on Apr 9, 2008 12:05 PM PDT up 0 recs

The fact you need to justify yourself speaks volumes.

Arsenal are without a good player who was playing relatively well. He's not he be all and end all of their team.

I'd argue Adebayor, Van Persie and Walcott (his pace off the bench is frightening) are more influential players upfront. That's not to mention Fabregas, Hleb and Flamini in the midfield.

It's not a game based entirely on experience, otherwise you'd throw out 11 30 year old journeymen and win every week. They're a tremendously talented side and in Fabregas, Gallas, Gilberto et al they should have enough to prevent the run of results they had. Sure there's a lot of young players out there, but they've played enough to know what's expected of them.

by OldhamA on Apr 9, 2008 12:16 PM PDT up 0 recs

There's also a certain guy who plays for the Czechs,

some crappy guy called Tomas or Thomas Rosecky or something like that. Bacary Sagna is crap?

And the fact that I disclosed by history of soccer fandom speaks nothing.

Just because you make a loud assertion that teams like Arsenal do not go on runs like this does not make it the case.

In 1988-1989, 1990-1991, Liverpool went on a run like this too. By yeah, I know nothing about English soccer.

Also, Chelsea didn't just lose the league. They got dumped out of the CL again last year, by Liverpool.

ZIPS: Milledge: 466 HR, 485 2B, 2282 hits, 278-379-524

by rfloh on Apr 9, 2008 1:40 PM PDT up 0 recs

And it wasn't a blatant penalty.

I say this as a Liverpool fan. They got lucky in front of the Kop in full voice.

ZIPS: Milledge: 466 HR, 485 2B, 2282 hits, 278-379-524

by rfloh on Apr 9, 2008 9:59 AM PDT up 0 recs

Gallas brought him down. Similar to the

Kuyt penalty in the first game, only this time the referee decided not to bottle it.

Shame about you being a Liverpool fan, but then not everyone's perfect.

by OldhamA on Apr 9, 2008 10:05 AM PDT up 0 recs

At least you guys aren't Fulham fans...

...I became a Fulham supporter three years ago b/c of the U.S. players they've acquired. Cola-ship here we come!

by uci anteater on Apr 9, 2008 10:26 AM PDT up 0 recs

Kuyt

At least Kuyt actually pulled on the arm a little bit. Gallas was just trying to get around the player, and Babel made a meal of it (and a bad meal, at that). A PK should not be given in that situation... especially in that game.

Theo Walcott is fast.

by Colorado Fan on Apr 9, 2008 11:24 AM PDT up 0 recs

Watch it again

Are you sure you mean William Gallas? And not Kolo Toure?

And it's debatable whether Toure brought him down, or he tried to bring Toure down, and then took a dive.

ZIPS: Milledge: 466 HR, 485 2B, 2282 hits, 278-379-524

by rfloh on Apr 9, 2008 12:09 PM PDT up 0 recs

I may have mistaken Gallas for Toure.

Either way the reaction of Toure tells its own story. He knew he'd been done.

by OldhamA on Apr 9, 2008 12:19 PM PDT up 0 recs

Or maybe he's not a whiny prat.

ZIPS: Milledge: 466 HR, 485 2B, 2282 hits, 278-379-524

by rfloh on Apr 9, 2008 1:30 PM PDT up 0 recs

Actually, we wouldn't.

ESPN wouldn't even adknowledge that Cueto existed if he were in Oakland.

by mikev on Apr 9, 2008 8:51 AM PDT up 0 recs

Southern Ohio bias?

by WaddellCanseco on Apr 9, 2008 8:54 AM PDT up 0 recs

East of the Rockies.

by mikev on Apr 9, 2008 8:56 AM PDT up 0 recs

ESPN would have

called him JIMMY Cueto and it would not even had made SC

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

by OptimistPrime on Apr 9, 2008 10:08 AM PDT up 0 recs

Cuerto!

Man he is already burning up the scene in Cincinnati

It's just more exciting with Billy Beane running the team.

by ru155 on Apr 9, 2008 2:12 PM PDT up 0 recs

A little bird told me

the a few people from the Giants were at the Cleveland games checking out DJ as they are in a search for a left handed 1B.

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

by asfan777 on Apr 9, 2008 8:56 AM PDT 0 recs

What exactly were they checking out?

Dude's had one AB!

MLBlackout.wordpress.com - Help put an end to MLB.tv blackouts

by HigherPie on Apr 9, 2008 8:57 AM PDT up 0 recs

I dont know really,

But maybe its best for Dan if they dont see him play. I would be excited to see Dan playing across the bay.

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

by asfan777 on Apr 9, 2008 9:06 AM PDT up 0 recs

If we lose DJ

do we have to stop playing "Ghostride My Volvo"?

The candy and the baseball all night long: )

by Englishmajor on Apr 9, 2008 9:25 AM PDT up 0 recs

Chavez 60-DL

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I think the A's can make it retroactive to March 21 and pull him off as early as May 21.

He won't be ready to contribute much before then anyway, and if he is, he can spend a week in Sac re-habbing.

It's gotta be one or the other though. DJ's getting DFA'd or Chavy to the 60-Day.

"I still say put Jack Cust on some roller skates, arm him with a squeeze tube of epoxy, and let him loose in CF...righteous!" -MRod

by notsellingjeans on Apr 9, 2008 8:58 AM PDT 0 recs

I've been expecting this since spring training

by OaklandSi on Apr 9, 2008 9:37 AM PDT up 0 recs

Could do both and call up Brooks Conrad...

Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.

by PaulThomas on Apr 9, 2008 9:43 AM PDT up 0 recs

Sounds like a plan to me

by ChadGod on Apr 9, 2008 11:09 AM PDT up 0 recs

Good Luck G.S.

Here's hoping Greg Smith has a good outing tonight. I hope the A's coaches sit him down before the game & give him all the positive reinforcement he needs. Tell him he has a golden arm, etc. Allot of players say baseball is 70% mental. I hope the best for Greg.

Has anyone else ever noticed that some A's players, like Blanton could be stowed in the cargo hold of a plane & not suffer a scratch. Harden on the other hand needs to be covered in big bubble wrap & packed with styrofoam peanuts to not hurt himself. The same goes for Crosby.

by alpine26 on Apr 9, 2008 9:21 AM PDT 0 recs

Blanton provides his own built-in "bubble wrap"

And what did we do once we discovered a rift in the fourth dimension? We launched a monkey into it. @('.')@

by monkeyball on Apr 9, 2008 9:33 AM PDT up 0 recs

What's scary to me

is that Dan Johnson might be the second best offensive player in the Giants lineup behind Aaron Rowand. Think about that.

I'm the biggest Rowand fan on the planet, but Rowand and DJ as your big 1-2 punch. Are they going to even win 40 games this year? They really are a replacement team.

http://bocropleasestopswingingatbadpitches.blogspot.com/

by thejd44 on Apr 9, 2008 9:34 AM PDT 0 recs

Bengie Molina has always been decent offensively

by OaklandSi on Apr 9, 2008 9:37 AM PDT up 0 recs

Decent?

Career OPS+ of 87, career EQA of .251. That's not very good, even for a catcher. He's good enough defensively (or was in his younger days) that he was worth having as a #9 hitter, but he's not decent.

http://bocropleasestopswingingatbadpitches.blogspot.com/

by thejd44 on Apr 9, 2008 11:25 AM PDT up 0 recs

perhaps your definition of decent

differs from mine.

his career BA/OBP/SLG is decent for a catcher, and he's certainly not a defensive liability.

by OaklandSi on Apr 9, 2008 11:35 AM PDT up 0 recs

Apparently he has become the latter

Giants fans are reporting that he's overweight and can't get in front of balls to block them.

Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.

by PaulThomas on Apr 9, 2008 11:49 AM PDT up 0 recs

I have a feeling - that is what's holding up trades

Sabean: Billy, he's your backup first baseman and backup backup DH. How much can he really be worth?

Beane: Sabes, he's going to be one of the 3 best hitters in your lineup. He's worth more than you think.

by mikev on Apr 9, 2008 9:38 AM PDT up 0 recs

LOL!

The monster at the end of this blog.

by grover on Apr 9, 2008 9:49 AM PDT up 0 recs

Oh!

Maybe we can get Yabu back!

The candy and the baseball all night long: )

by Englishmajor on Apr 9, 2008 9:52 AM PDT up 0 recs

please no

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 9, 2008 3:21 PM PDT up 0 recs