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Can The A's Realistically Improve their Offense Via Trade

Raven_chihuahuan1_tiny by nevermoor on

It would seem, at first glance, that an offense that seems so bad so often would be easy to upgrade.  However, most of our players are just good enough, young enough, and cheap enough that meaningful upgrades would be difficult/impossible.  In analyzing potential upgrades, I am using the following assumptions:

  1. We can't acquire someone with an obscene salary (Giambi is off the table)
  2. We won't trade youth to acquire someone on the far end of their peak years
  3. All players who can provide an improvement RIGHT NOW are in the Major Leagues.

With those assumptions in mind, here we go:

C: Kurt Suzuki (24 - $395K), .252/.314/.302

He's young, he's cheap, and although a .616 OPS isn't great it is 11th amongst all qualified catchers.  Amongst those better, high salaries eliminate Mauer, B. Molina, AJ Pierzynski, Kendall, V. Martinez, and Pudge.  Additionally, I think it's safe to say that McCann and Martin are untouchable.  This leaves Geovany Soto (25 - $401) and Yadier Molina (25 - $1.8M).  The first place Cubs and second place Cards aren't going to be parting with their young, successful starting catchers.

Possibility of Upgrade: Zero

1B: Daric Barton (22 - $390K), .229/.335/.343

He's young, he's cheap, but unlike Suzuki his performance is awful.  He has the second lowest OPS amongst qualifying first basemen.  Although we're all hoping he pans out eventually, improving ourselves here could do a lot of good.  After we do salary eliminations, we have (in order by OPS)

  • A. Gonzalez (SD is in bad shape, but they need more offense too)
  • C. Jackson (Arizona won't be interested)
  • Youkilis (Boston probably likes their team as is, but they might like Blanton)
  • P. Fielder (Nope, Milwaukee sees him as the franchise)
  • Votto (ditto)
  • Kotchman (Angels aren't trading with us, they have no meaningful backup)
  • Loney (Doubtful, they don't have a backup who can hit)
  • Millar (Old, but maybe)
  • Garko (Indians don't have a backup)

Basically, Youkilis would be a huge huge upgrade, he's only 29, and the Sox have a good backup, but it would take a lot more than Blanton to do it.  I can't imagine that this is possible.  I don't think the Dodgers are looking to trade Loney (although they could certainly use the pitching).  Maybe if they tail off or their starting 5 go down.  Kevin Millar has better stats, but he's 36 and this is the right year to let Barton adjust if he's our future.

Possibility of Upgrade: Very Low

2B: Mark Ellis (31 - $5M), .250/.335/.409

Unfortunately, this might be our last year with Ellis.  He's my favorite A in awhie, so it's hard to be objective, but between his great D and 10th ranked OPS he'd be hard to improve on.  With his salary, we'd have to make a follow up deal after grabbing someone since we can't have a $5 million bench player.  As far as replacements, Uggla isn't going anywhere with the Marlins having such a season, and Texas wouldn't trade Kinsler (or any hitter) for pitching.  The Reds aren't trading Brandon Phillips since every other infielder they own the rights to has been injured playing shortstop.

There is one semi-possibility, however, as Atlanta is in desperate need of quality starters, is struggling through a lot of pretty serious injuries, and has a good young second baseman in Kelly Johnson.  They wouldn't move him for just Blanton, but maybe there's a fit.  He would be an undeniable upgrade with his .290/.357/.471 line as a 26 year old making $430K.

Possibility of Upgrade: Low

3B: Eric Chavez (30 - $11.5M), .279/.340/.419

Since he's newly returned, Jack Hannahan is the A who qualifies at 3B, and he has the worst OPS of any third baseman in the league.  Adding Chavez is all the bump we're going to get, though, as his salary means he's our guy.

Possibility of Upgrade: ZERO

SS: Bobby Crosby (28 - $3.5M), .263/.322/.378

Bobby is 11th in OPS among qualifying shortstops (with the same OPS as Jeter).  Hanley Ramirez, Reyes, Drew, and Theriot are untouchable.  Christian Guzman isn't a player I'd really want anyway.  This brings us back to the Braves, and Yunel Escobar.  The fit here isn't as good, as Crosby is younger than Ellis, Escobar is less of an upgrade than Johnson, and Crosby has a contract for next year.

Possibility of Upgrade: Very Low

LF: Jack Cust (29 - $410K), .253/.416/.463

RF: Emil Brown (33 - $1.4M), .246/.284/.368

RF: Travis Buck (24 - $400K), .160/.235/.321

Cust is a defensive liability, Brown is garbage, and Buck is really struggling this year.  The Chronicle is saying that Buck might be sent back down for R. Sweeney (who, for now, I'll get to in a minute as a CF).  If we're sending Buck down, we have Brown, Cust, Sweeney, CarGon, and Davis up.  Davis is a bench player but worth having to pinch run.  Brown is the candidate for upgrade (we'd probably just DFA him), and getting a good outfielder would allow us to use Cust at DH, CarGon/Sweeney/New Guy in the outfield.  The only problem is finding someone.

Since there are so many outfielders, I'm limiting this list to good, cheap corner outfielders on bad teams with 800+ OPS.

  • Jason Bay: He's the high end of the salary scale, but he would be a major improvement and he's signed for $7.5M next year.  I would love this, and the Pirates might well be sellers again.
  • Xavier Nady: He hits Right and has an .878 OPS.  He'd be arbitration eligible for next year.
  • Luke Scott: He's 29, cheap, and has an .871 OPS.  We could use him.
  • Corey Hart: I've seen his names around AN a bit.  At 26 he's got his career ahead of him.  With an .851 OPS he definitely helps our outfield.  He's even cheap with a $444K salary.  No doubt he'd look good in Green and Gold.

This is the area where we can really get better.  If Pittsburgh decides to sell, they could well make Bay available.  If not, Nady would be a very useful addition.  Scott and Hart would also be nice to have (although it's too bad Scott's a lefty).

Possibility of Upgrade: Possible

CF: Carlos Gonzalez (22 - $?K), .260/.275/.420

CF: Ryan Sweeney (23 - $395K), .293/.353/.407

Young.  Good.  Cheap.  There isn't a reasonable option out there with a better OPS than Sweeney, and we should probably be letting both of these guys play as much as possible since they're looking so good and our corner situation is so bad.

Possibility of Upgrade: ZERO

DH: Jack Cust (29 - $410K), .253/.416/.463

DH: Frank Thomas (40 - $12.5M), .258/.372/.444 (.319/.417/.516 with A's)

With Thomas out, Cust is a good DH option.  When Thomas comes back, we've got a great DH.  His A's numbers would place him second on the OPS list (behind the one we let get away, Milton Bradley) and his overall numbers would place him 4th (also behind Matsui and Ortiz).  There is no reason to trade for a DH.

Possibility of Upgrade: ZERO

Poll
Which Player do you think the A's should target? (taking trade costs/likelihood of success into account)
1B: James Loney
31 votes
2B: Kelley Johnson
8 votes
SS: Yunel Escobar
16 votes
OF: Jason Bay
101 votes
OF: Xavier Nady
38 votes
OF: Luke Scott
4 votes
OF: Corey Hart
57 votes
No one. We scored 15 Runs against the Angels May 1.
61 votes

316 votes | Poll has closed

3 recs | Comment 192 comments

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I think you're making a big assumption eliminating expensive guys

The A’s are way down in payroll. It’s quite possible they could take on an expensive guy for the next couple of years. At least that’s what I hope.

I think what would most improve this team is to cash in a lot of resources for a superstar. If the A’s could trade for a guy like McCann or Hanley, I would be ecstatic despite how crazily expensive it may be. The Braves might possibly in a parallel universe consider moving McCann, as they need a 1b of the future with Teix leaving after the year, have pitching needs (mainly bullpen), and could use a LF upgrade. Cust, Barton, Suzuki (to replace McCann), Street, Blanton, and a prospect or two would fulfill all those needs for the Braves even though they lose a superstar. Of course we would create a hole at 1b and that kind of turnover very rarely happens, especially midseason. But, to me, McCann would be worth it.

"Loyal? I'm the most loyal player money can buy." - Don Sutton

by vignette17 on Jun 13, 2008 5:36 PM PDT   0 recs

Well worth THAT?

I’m sorry, which brand of wacky tobacky are you smoking here?

The A’s do have to actually field a 25-man roster, you know.

Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.

by PaulThomas on Jun 13, 2008 5:47 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

"I don't agree with that trade,

but I won’t insult you for suggesting it.”

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 Jun 13, 2008 6:14 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Ah, that perfectly conveys my reaction

Wait. No, it doesn’t.

Are you going to start doing this to everyone? Because if not, I’m going to start flagging these for personal harassment. Get over yourself.

Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.

by PaulThomas on Jun 14, 2008 11:11 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Not everyone replies to an idea with a comment

that implies the user must be on drugs to have such a dumb idea and then condescendingly suggests the user might not understand the number of players on a major league roster.

No, my quote did not capture what you conveyed – it captured what you are supposed to convey. A better “fix the belittlement” quote would be…”No way – the trade you propose would leave our roster far too short-handed at other positions.”

No need to imply a lack of mental faculties, or a lack of baseball understanding, among your fellow bretheren. Get over that, or you will not be long for AN. We’re about to crack down (in general), because the moderators are sick of it.

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 Jun 14, 2008 1:19 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

......................

speaks for itself.

"The two of them deserve each other. One's a born liar, the other's convicted."

by SwampyD on Jun 14, 2008 1:32 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Hmm...Probably not worth it.

It’s an interesting idea, though. Maybe I’ll sheep sleep on it.

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 Jun 14, 2008 3:34 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

they really are no different than the snide comments you deride

I think many in the community dislike the bestiality references and have asked you to stop, yet you persist. Beastiality offends the sensibilities much more than sarcasm. Im generally a lurker and quite enjoy Paul Thomas’ wit and sarcasm especially when it is deserved.

Brian McCann’s best win shares above bench in a season: 14
Blanton Cust Street Suzuki and Barton: 24

and thats not even including the prospects that the original poster wants to send to ATL. Also we would be giving atlanta significantly more years of control which would mean that this deal would only get worse over time for the A’s. In a word the idea was stupid.

Some of the most violent things I’ve ever seen were at Raiders games. And I’ve been to jail. - leopold bloom

by designatedforassignment on Jun 14, 2008 9:38 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Beastiality offends the sensibilities?

Geez, don’t have a cow.

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 Jun 14, 2008 9:44 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

im just saying

there was an entire fanpost about the lack of a family friendly nature of the site and many agreed with the post.

The point was you can either be ridiculously strict which would prohibit you from making the jokes or you can let everybody just chill

Some of the most violent things I’ve ever seen were at Raiders games. And I’ve been to jail. - leopold bloom

by designatedforassignment on Jun 14, 2008 10:14 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

The fanpost was about profanity,

not about the beautiful love that can be shared by a lonely man and a slightly confused goat.

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 Jun 14, 2008 11:01 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

C'mon, apples and oranges

At this point, if Nico weren’t some hopelessly confused mishmash of schoolteacher, A’s fan, goat lover, and somewhat clueless schoolgirl, no one would know what to make of him. Besides, he’s… probably… not actually advocating man-on-goat action here. I can understand how some could be a little squeamish, but how sheltered should we try to be on this site?

But the key is that Nico’s farm animal fantasies are good-natured. No actual goats – or people – were harmed or even yelled at. The idea behind AN from the time Blez created it is that it is an inclusive community, not a mean little exclusive club in which the cool kids ridicule and drive out all the rubes who haven’t scored at least 780 on their sabermetric SATs.

by Faust on Jun 15, 2008 7:07 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

You forgot

somewhat clueless schoolgoat, but otherwise, yeah, what he said.

No goats were harmed or ridiculed in the posting of this comment.

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 Jun 15, 2008 8:32 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

People who are offended by the "bestiality" jokes best stay way,

and regular users will be happy if they do so. I’ve been much more offended by some of Nico’s baseball posts, but not for awhile…. (:

The A's colors are green and gold.

by mikeA on Jun 14, 2008 9:48 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Personally

I find Nico about as offensive as Jason Kendall.

"I don't know half of you half as well as I should like, and I like less than half of you half as well as you deserve."

--Bilbo Baggins

by kaweahkaweah on Jun 14, 2008 11:56 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

OK, I get you

But for a moment there I was wondering what you had against Nico – by the time Kendall left most of us found him pretty offensive (mostly because of his inoffensiveness)

by Faust on Jun 15, 2008 5:53 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Whatever, dude

If you want to report me for that, go ahead. That’s your prerogative.

I would love to keep posting on AN, but if a comment of that nature is verboten, well, I’m just not going to worry about it that much. I’ve never encountered any internet site which had even close to such a draconian speech code that that would be illegal.

Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.

by PaulThomas on Jun 14, 2008 4:20 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

And I've never visited another site

in which an individual so consistently and frequently posts comments as snide, condescending, and self-satisfied as yours. It’s gotten to be oh so very tiresome. I’ve always wondered whether you’re Randy Bell reincarnated in some opposite form.

I’m afraid I couldn’t restrain myself. So, moderators, fire away.

by Ray of Lite on Jun 14, 2008 5:02 PM PDT to parent up   1 recs

Thank you, Ray of Life, from the bottom

of my heart, for posting that. There are no victims on this site, just targets, and AN will not be hijacked.

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 Jun 14, 2008 5:15 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

"The two of them deserve each other. One's a born liar, the other's convicted."

by SwampyD on Jun 14, 2008 5:19 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Somehow

I feel like my post just lost something it can never get back.

by nevermoor on Jun 14, 2008 6:44 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Recommended - I could not have put it better

had I a cherry on top.

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 Jun 14, 2008 9:15 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

I'll probably make it out...

although I suppose it would be odd if I were to show up after having been banned…

And if one stubbornly clings to the notion that they will not change to satisfy the mores and social rules of that community (online or any other) then it’s within the community/moderators’ rights to pass judgement and ban them from participation.

I don’t dispute this. It’s not my website, I don’t make the rules. If the mods think I’m a social poison, I’m gone. That is simply the fact of the situation.

It seems pretty obvious to me that my sixth sense of what “ought” to be offensive is not calibrated to fit the website. vignette, if you were offended by that, I’m sorry. It was not my intent. I thought it was a weird idea… but plenty of good minds have weird ideas, and lord knows I’ve had plenty myself. If you’re out there, I am interested to know whether you felt offended by it yourself.

Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.

by PaulThomas on Jun 14, 2008 9:18 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

PaulThomas = Carlos Gonzalez

Everyone wants to see the kid hitting for a better average, but when he connects, the quality is obvious. It’s more fun to see him in the big leagues, even with the occasional howler, than to watch someone with a fraction of the potential take up space. Plus, we still have him at the league minimum for the next few years….

by Hot Cup Joe on Jun 14, 2008 9:58 PM PDT to parent up   1 recs

Nico = Emil Brown

I’ll take a bunch of swings and then wonder what the heck just happened.

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 Jun 14, 2008 10:07 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

From Emil Brown's Player Bio

Hobbies – Breeding livestock.

by Hot Cup Joe on Jun 14, 2008 10:48 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

lol

I wonder what Cust’s hobbies are…i’m going with reenacting gladiator and having tea with Duchscherer

We've never been in that position. We wouldn't know how to operate, I mean, do we get him a corsage?-Billy Beane on signing a high profile FA

by DyeLongJustice on Jun 15, 2008 10:38 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Cust's hobby:

“Batting practice.”

Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.

by PaulThomas on Jun 15, 2008 10:46 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

too true

actually i’m pretty sure his real hobby is operating the Jack Cust Baseball Academy….which makes me wonder, what are they teaching those kids? we’re going to have “3 true outcomes” all over the place now

We've never been in that position. We wouldn't know how to operate, I mean, do we get him a corsage?-Billy Beane on signing a high profile FA

by DyeLongJustice on Jun 15, 2008 11:08 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

"Jack Cust and the Three True Outcomes" would be an awesome band name

Is it prurient? I don’t know what to tell you. I think it’s odd and interesting. It’s part of life. @('.')@

by monkeyball on Jun 15, 2008 11:52 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

technically

it should be John Cust and the Three True Outcomes…accompanying/guest starring John Hannahan and James Harden

We've never been in that position. We wouldn't know how to operate, I mean, do we get him a corsage?-Billy Beane on signing a high profile FA

by DyeLongJustice on Jun 15, 2008 12:42 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Covelli & The Crisps,

featuring Daric Barton as Dale Barton.

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 Jun 15, 2008 12:46 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

I'm more like Jeff Francoeur

I try to be disciplined at the plate, but periodically I just lose it and start hacking at slop all over the place.

And my mistakes are magnified because I insist on playing like 162 games a season.

Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.

by PaulThomas on Jun 14, 2008 11:49 PM PDT to parent up   1 recs

This wound up turning into

a mature and good discussion. When I first started reading it, I felt it was going to go all awry. Kudos to everyone in this and especially you, PT. I do agree that you are a great asset to the blog because you write great FanPosts, but your demeanor and approach to some of the members in comments often screams that you think everyone else has fewer synapses firing than you do. It’s clear that you’re really intelligent and I’d hate to lose the great things you contribute to the community. But I also can’t stand to have someone discouraging participation with rude and snide comments.

Again, thanks for keeping this from going nuclear. But also please try and change your behavior in the comment threads so we can make sure we don’t lose a really valuable contributor to the AN community as a whole.

by Blez on Jun 15, 2008 1:07 AM PDT to parent up   1 recs

I'm not offended... really, I'm not...

Let me emphasize—I am not attempting to “play the victim” here. I know I can be a jackass sometimes, and (speaking to everyone here) if my reply to you is jackassy, a quick “Dude, WTF was that shit?” rejoinder is warranted and will probably get results.

I was just irked at Nico. This is now the second time in just a few weeks in which an argument was created out of what would (probably) have been a dead-end thread by his habit of becoming offended on other people’s behalf.

You’re an NHL fan, Blez—I’m sure you’re familiar with the “third man in” rule about fighting. In other words, if two players go at it, that’s (mostly) OK, but the third guy to join in gets major, major penalties (probably a match penalty and a multi-game suspension).

I think a lot of the NHL’s views on fighting are kind of silly and arcane and tangentially related, at best, to the actual game of hockey. But given that fighting isn’t going away anytime soon, I understand the reasoning for this rule, which is that once it becomes a scrum instead of a one-on-one fight, really ugly things start happening.

Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.

by PaulThomas on Jun 15, 2008 10:04 AM PDT to parent up   1 recs

PT, here's an olive branch:

from now on I will try to stay under the radar when I’m irritated, or know others are, if you will make a sincere effort to manage HOW you talk to people just a BIT.

I know I can succeed in my efforts, starting…Now.

And for the record, I really do enjoy your fanposts and many of your comments. Let’s bleed green and gold together, shall we?

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 Jun 15, 2008 10:25 AM PDT to parent up   1 recs

OK

Like Homer, I may be addicted to rageahol, but I’m “on the wagon” for now.

Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.

by PaulThomas on Jun 15, 2008 10:59 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Nice analogy

especially in knowing your audience ;-)

by Blez on Jun 15, 2008 10:55 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Like Smithers,

I’m loyal to my boss and my romantic preferences are highly ambiguous.

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 Jun 15, 2008 11:27 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

I thought that was "ambaaguous"

Is it prurient? I don’t know what to tell you. I think it’s odd and interesting. It’s part of life. @('.')@

by monkeyball on Jun 15, 2008 12:02 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Paul, you want to be a lawyer, right?

You can put together the most brilliant, bullet-proof legal argument, but if the jury hates you, you lose. Same thing, really, in your relationship with clients.

It’s particularly important in your chosen profession to grasp not only the meaning of your words but also the impact of your words.

You’re really good with the first of those, not so hot on the second… probably because you haven’t given much thought to that dimension of things yet.

by Faust on Jun 15, 2008 6:46 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

+1 .... million .......

I’d like to think i was never as bad as PT can be from time to time …

BUT … from AN’s perspective, i’m sure we have more in common than we have in contrast …

But after many, many, (too) many year … I’m still here … and (I think/hope) a relatively well though of member of this community …

I’m not perfect … and I certainly don’t always keep to this …

BUT I do my best to remember that the point of this whole thing is not flow of consciousness typing but actual communicating - trying to get my ideas and thoughts across - whether for amusement or the greater good - and the key to this, even if I often have the desire (sometime fulfilled … sorry …) to be a snide asshole, is to remember my audience - to remember that being a snide asshole is rarely a good way to communicate anything.

That said …

PT communicates a lot more worthwhile stuff than he does negative stuff. This blog would be worse off if he were gone.

Nico, as a member of this community and, especially, as a moderator who is directed to look out for the greater good, you need to keep the bigger picture in mind. You don’t particularly care for PT … deal with it. No offense, but he contributes a lot more high quality stuff than you do. Granted, he contributes more low quality stuff, too … but most of us are mature and disciplined enough to skip over the stuff we don’t like—until you blow it up and make it a huge thing. Deal with it. Don’t make it personal.

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

by devo on Jun 15, 2008 4:47 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

devo, this is not about me

I’m speaking for a lot of people, a lot of moderators. The blog will never accept people who contribute a lot and can’t/won’t be civil/respecful – oaktoon was a great example.

I like PT’s fanposts and a lot of his comments. I hope he chills and stays. But everyone needs to be accountable for treating others with a basic respect, and what I articulated above has been expressed privately by many. Please separate the messenger from the message.

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 Jun 15, 2008 8:41 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Ok ...

Well if it’s an official moderator action it should probably be taking place offline. And by offline, I mean through e-mail … don’t beat up PT …

I’ll take your word for it that you’re just the messenger, but that doesn’t come through at all in what you wrote previously …

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

by devo on Jun 15, 2008 11:20 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Sorry, I thought it was clear

by: “We’re about to crack down (in general), because the moderators are sick of it.” But for the record, there have been recent offline discussions, among the moderators, that were not initiated by 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 Jun 15, 2008 11:30 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

That sounded like more of an aside ...

But, regardless, if the moderators feel they need to make PT fix his behavior, they should communicate with him offline about it—not in this manner, driving a dozen or more generally unpleasant posts.

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

by devo on Jun 15, 2008 12:07 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Tried, didn't succeed

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 Jun 15, 2008 12:25 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

I don't think he's rude. I think he's blunt.

Often I feel that tact is simply not telling the truth. Specifically, trading half the team for one player, and not even a Barry-Bonds-in-his-prime-type player, is a really, really silly idea. It’s an idea so silly that responding with an in-depth analysis of the situation is pointless. I probably wouldn’t have responded the way he did, but I was certainly thinking the same thing.

Concerning point 2: If we can’t fix the stupid, can we at least beat them senseless?

http://bocropleasestopswingingatbadpitches.blogspot.com/

by thejd44 on Jun 15, 2008 4:48 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

sigline!

If we can’t fix the stupid, can we at least beat them senseless? @('.')@

by monkeyball on Jun 15, 2008 12:06 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Please don't attempt to speak for everyone

I don’t think PaulThomas is rude. I think he writes in a matter-of-fact style that is misinterpeted as hostile by some folks who don’t like to see their theories and wild speculation shot full of holes. If it weren’t for the postings of PaulThomas, Danny, and a few others, it wouldn’t be worth stopping by here.

Root for the Giants? Not even if they're playing al-Qaeda!

by Monday Fan on Jun 15, 2008 11:12 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

I don't think he's rude either.

People need to quit being such pansies, quite frankly.

by mikev on Jun 16, 2008 9:12 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Seriously

Maybe I don’t read as many posts as some people here, but PaulThomas has a lot of interesting things to say.

"These Boston People Are AWFUL"

by Brillz on Jun 16, 2008 9:18 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

+1

Blunt and matter of fact =/= rude. And especially here, I mean really, “which brand of wacky tobacky are you smoking,” does seem to be anything worth getting worked up about. I mean, this site would be worse off if PT switched gears and wrote about nothing but ponies, unicorns, and rainbows. Indeed, honestly, I still miss Oaktoon and think this site hasn’t been quite as good since he left. He cared a lot and was willing to put a ton of work/thought into his posts. Was he abrasive? Yeah, sure, a lot of the time. But, anyone who’s that easily offended probably can’t even sit through a game at the Coliseum.

Someone mentioned Randy Bell up-thread . . . would anyone enlighten me as to what became of Mr. Bell? I’ve seen some off-hand comments which imply that there’s a story there, but I’ve never seen the story.

A kitten bats around a ball of yarn but what he's really saying is, "You know I can't knit, motherf'er." That is one foul mouthed kitten. - Mitch Hedberg (RIP)

by RayRay59 on Jun 17, 2008 10:06 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

well said

The A's colors are green and gold.

by mikeA on Jun 14, 2008 9:29 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

If that's true, you don't get out much.
I’ve never visited another site
in which an individual so consistently and frequently posts comments as snide, condescending, and self-satisfied as yours

I’m not defending Paul’s tone here, but if that’s really true — that you’ve never visited another site with an individual who matches or exceeds Paul’s obnoxious tone — then you’re really sheltered. Seriously, any political blog, any Usenet group, pretty much any unmoderated forum with a lot of traffic, has obnoxious commenters much worse than Paul and without his redeeming qualities.

formerly known as mdl

by iglew on Jun 15, 2008 8:18 PM PDT to parent up   1 recs

Wrong.

I do get around, both in the blogosphere and in the real world. For instance, as a music fanatic/record collector, I spend a whole lot of time on music blogs; as impassioned and arrogant as music fans can be, I have yet to encounter anyone else as over the top as PaulThomas.

And, for what it’s worth, I have been an attorney for almost two decades, so I’ve come across my share of preening blowhards and candidates for Smartest Man in the World. Faust is correct: however strong a case he or she may have, a lawyer can do his or her clients a grave disservice.

One can be blunt without being arrogant and vicious. If not, and if this is the price we have to pay to read a fan’s opinion regarding the likelihood of a certain trade scenario coming to pass or his analysis of a player’s swing, count me out.

by Ray of Lite on Jun 16, 2008 12:42 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

I'm with iglew on this; I don't think PT's that bad.

{starts referendum on how “bad” PT is}

Brainless Automaton #439

by rubin sierra on Jun 16, 2008 1:34 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs