Home game only for Harden?

by asfansince1989 on May 5, 2008 4:27 PM PDT

This quote on SF Gate:

"Harden is starting at Stockton to avoid a trip to Oklahoma with the River Cats."

If Harden can't even risk going on a roadtrip at this time, I don't see how they can say he's healthy. That's not 100% confidence, is it? And with Harden, unless we are 284% sure that he's completely healthy, chances are he'll get injured, or already is and is just hiding it.

Maybe we should just keep Harden on a home game only schedule to see if the travel-induced injuries are B.S, and if he's is just as fragile as we all think he is.

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If I were Harden...

I wouldn’t want to go to Oklahoma, they don’t take kindly to foreigners from across the border like Rich. (May be the opposite border, but same theory nonetheless)

http://usgovinfo.about.com/b/2007/05/14/oklahoma-not-ok-with-illegal-immigrants.htm

The Stockton Ports pitching staff is better than the Orioles.

by gdub171 on May 5, 2008 4:37 PM PDT reply actions

Taking a good paying job for 'Mericans ...

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

by devo on May 5, 2008 4:46 PM PDT up reply actions

They took our jerbbbbs!

by speedchaser9 on May 6, 2008 12:24 PM PDT up reply actions

I think it's just about travel

Why travel cross-country and back if you don’t have to? Makes sense to me.

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 May 5, 2008 4:40 PM PDT reply actions

Not to mention fairly SOP for the A's/MLB as it should be

Part of the rehab process being so that they can determine his health. The last thing he needs is to go travel with the typical 2nd rate transportation that the minors go around in.

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by DMOAS on May 5, 2008 4:42 PM PDT up reply actions

I assume they have an airport in Oklahoma City and taxi cabs ...

if so, I think he can avoid a long bus trip …

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

by devo on May 5, 2008 4:48 PM PDT up reply actions

Would you really want him too?

Plus, I’m not sure that the minor league charter flights are as good as the MLB ones.

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by DMOAS on May 5, 2008 5:25 PM PDT up reply actions

Makes it easier for A's scouts to observe him?

They can drive to Stockton and back.

by MobiusKlein on May 6, 2008 11:38 AM PDT up reply actions

Why would Beane want his medical staff flying all over the country to see Harden

pitch, when they can just travel between Sacramento and Stockton.

by theblackpearl on May 5, 2008 4:46 PM PDT reply actions

why would they have to follow him every game in person

if the dude is healthy? Can’t they just watch tape and get a report from their minor league trainers? They do have guys who know how to put on bandages and fill ice bags down in the minors right?

by asfansince1989 on May 5, 2008 4:55 PM PDT up reply actions

I think the only reason this was a change is because Stockton's rotation is so loaded.

There are so many high level prospects down there whose routines they didn’t want to screw up—otherwise he would have been slated to start there to begin with. The DLS injury opens a hole in the rotation, without affecting his teammates.

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

by devo on May 5, 2008 4:49 PM PDT reply actions

Well let's see if Buck or Foulke travel with the Rivercats. If neither does, then the

A’s just want them in CA, if Foulke stays and Buck goes, they obviously just want Travis to stay with the Rivercats for an extended period of time.

by theblackpearl on May 5, 2008 4:52 PM PDT reply actions

Not necessarily ... especially for Buck ...

since rehabs for starters are different from rehabs for relievers and position players. Buck and perhaps Foulke would likely be staying in Oklahoma for the entire series, playing every or every other game, respectively. Harden, on the other hand would have only participated in one game, spending roughly 24 hours in the Sooner State …

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

by devo on May 5, 2008 5:23 PM PDT up reply actions

I think the difference is that Harden just needs to throw

70-75 pitches and come out of it feeling good, while Buck also needs to see higher level pitching before the A’s can know if he’s ready to succeed on the big league club. I don’t think Stockton would serve all of Buck’s needs, but it should serve Harden’s.

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 May 5, 2008 5:52 PM PDT up reply actions

I think it's time to start an irresponsible and unfounded rumor that Harden is wanted by the law in Oklahoma

Now, what would the warrant be for…

"And Julio Franco is batting right-handed!" -- Wayne Hagin, A's radio play-by-play, mid-80s

by Nick on May 5, 2008 6:40 PM PDT reply actions

unpaid ticket for a moving violation and failure to show for bench warrant

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by DMOAS on May 5, 2008 6:44 PM PDT up reply actions

Broken alarm clock?

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 May 5, 2008 6:57 PM PDT up reply actions

Assaulting the DL.

It's Rhodes Scholar Night at the Coliseum tonight.

by Scottbass on May 6, 2008 1:22 AM PDT up reply actions

Why risk it?

For a minor league game?

by IM4Oakgal on May 5, 2008 6:46 PM PDT reply actions

I think the reasons why Harden is in Stockton instead of staying with Sac

is because …

a) Its only 1 start, and its a rehab start, so why bother sending him all over the place when he will be rejoining the team after the start anyways.

b) The change was announced about the same time as it was said that DLS went on the DL. So its quite possible that they decided to simply slot Harden into DLS’ rotation spot for his final rehab start instead of going with a spotstart by another player.

I put on my robe and wizard hat.

by Zonis on May 5, 2008 6:50 PM PDT reply actions

I wonder if I'm right...

Short (1-3 game) rehab assignments go to whichever of Stockton or Sacramento is home, because the player will likely be driving himself to/from, and it gives the player the chance to sleep in his own bed at night.

On longer rehab assignments, the player travels with the club on road trips, but has the opportunity to commute from the Bay Area during homestands…

That’s my final answer.

"You have to have a catcher or you'll have all passed balls."- Casey Stengel

by Gaijin_Suketto on May 5, 2008 7:04 PM PDT reply actions

I would guess...

...as others have, that it’s more to keep him close for evaluation purposes. But, if not, why does it really matter? It’s not like he’s a key part of the Rivercats or Ports anyway. He’s merely on a rehab assignment for the MLB club.

Some read stats. Fans actually watch the games.

by UncleLeo on May 5, 2008 7:28 PM PDT reply actions