A's Land Inoa
The agent for Michel Inoa, the top Dominican Republic pitching prospect of the last decade, has told other clubs not to bother when the July 2 international signing period opens Wednesday.
That ship has sailed.
According to industry sources, Inoa, represented by Adam Katz of WMG, has agreed to terms with the A's for a $4.25 million signing bonus. Other clubs pursuing Inoa, including the Rangers, Reds and Yankees, were told this weekend that the deal was done, and that A's general manager Billy Beane would announce the signing this week.
http://www.baseballamerica.com/today/prospects/international-affairs/2008/266411.html
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mid 90's
mid 90’s at 16! this kid is going to be fun to watch!
by dawg24 on
Jun 29, 2008 8:18 PM PDT
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Or he'll turn out to be 27.
Or his arm will fall off.
Notes From The Nat has a new home: http://www.natnotes.com
by Ozzz on
Jun 30, 2008 8:30 PM PDT
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Some great news on a not so great baseball day
"Mount it? I already did. Oh! You meant on the wall?!!
by rickey939 on
Jun 29, 2008 8:21 PM PDT
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Michel Inoa
Our Savior! Maybe he can replace Blanton in the 2008 Rotation!!!! j/k
by Colorado Fan on
Jun 29, 2008 8:26 PM PDT
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If I'm figuring right,
that means we’ll need to put him on the roster when he’s 21, or he’ll get poached in the rule 5 draft like Johan.
Then again, maybe we’ll want to start him at 19, like Felix.
"Dispatch knuckleheadedness with Bond-like aplomb." –74mk
by iglew on
Jun 29, 2008 8:29 PM PDT
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There's some possibility
that he is actually older than 16… though I suppose that’s a risk you take with all Dominican prospects.
I’m not actually convinced that this is a bad thing, however. It may mean his fastball is a little less projectable, but the decreased injury risk would seem to outweigh that.
In any event: the team will have to put him on the 40-man roster at the end of the 2012 season, when he is “20.” He will then have 3 or 4 option years (whether he has 3 or 4 is complicated). The earliest the A’s could be faced with a “do or die” decision on him is 2015, which is a hell of a long time away.
Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.
by PaulThomas on
Jun 29, 2008 8:42 PM PDT
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Well, if he grows another 8 inches
maybe they can trade him to the Warriors. Apparently they prefer upside to basketball skills…
Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.
by PaulThomas on
Jun 29, 2008 11:05 PM PDT
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At least they have upside ...
They could have drafted Todd Fuller, or another unathletic 7 foot white guy …
"It's for your own good. Big strong Devo knows whats best for Poppy" -- Mossback
by devo on
Jul 1, 2008 1:37 PM PDT
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Great News.
He could very well be our Felix.
When will then be now? Soon.
by Syphon on
Jun 29, 2008 8:51 PM PDT
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I guess Braden is our Oscar?

A little plumbing! Got to plumb! Plumb the depths! The depths of hell! - Larry David, CYE
by Swooney's Left Foot on
Jun 29, 2008 8:58 PM PDT
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Andre 3000's rockin' that retro jersey!
"I'm tying my dog to the railroad track, choo choo train's gonna break his back; We used to call him Spot, but now he's called Splat; That's the kind of person we are... Oh baby won't ya come home with me?"- 'The Dicky & Dino Show' from The Young Ones, 1984
by Gaijin_Suketto on
Jun 30, 2008 12:24 PM PDT
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Here:
It is the richest deal ever for an international amateur who is not from Cuba, eclipsing both the $2.44 million paid to Willy Mo Pena as part of his major league contract back in 1999, and the straight $2.25 million bonus paid by the Dodgers to Joel Guzman in 2001. In fact, the only pitcher who previously ranked among the top 10 bonuses in Latin American history was righthander Ricardo Aramboles, who got $1.52 million back in 1998 from the Yankees.
...don’t get ahead of yourself, Ace…
by oc on
Jun 29, 2008 9:04 PM PDT
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Past failures by other teams
are not indicative of future of our.
When will then be now? Soon.
by Syphon on
Jun 29, 2008 9:19 PM PDT
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are not indicative of our future*
When will then be now? Soon.
by Syphon on
Jun 29, 2008 9:21 PM PDT
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That's true
When we fail, it’s usually in unprecedented ways (and generally involving baserunning in between 3rd and home).
A little plumbing! Got to plumb! Plumb the depths! The depths of hell! - Larry David, CYE
by Swooney's Left Foot on
Jun 29, 2008 9:22 PM PDT
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Ariel Prieto instead of Todd Helton?
That kind of failure??
"I never predict anything, and I never will." Paul Gascoigne, English footballer
by One won lost won on
Jun 30, 2008 9:54 AM PDT
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You just
made my head hurt. Thanks.
Florida ain't no place for a self-respecting A's fan.
by Leopold Bloom on
Jun 30, 2008 10:58 AM PDT
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OMG
I’m amazed we outbid anyone, much less the whole league.
by Mark Borgschulte on
Jun 29, 2008 9:12 PM PDT
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Not sure if this is a good signing, but
I’m quite glad that they’re showing a willingness to spend money in latin america.
The A's colors are green and gold.
by mikeA on
Jun 29, 2008 9:14 PM PDT
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fixed
>glad that they’re showing a willingness to spend money
facepalm.jpg
by Zonis on
Jun 29, 2008 9:15 PM PDT
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Agree 100%
I’m much more excited about the A’s being so aggressive in the Dominican than about Inoa himself, since I haven’t seen him pitch and all.
"We've come a long way, and I'm not talking about Virginia Slims, either." - Art Howe
by EastCoastA on
Jun 29, 2008 10:08 PM PDT
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It beats the Dye contract for $11.7 million in 2003
and getting very few games (65 games) with a sub-mediocre performance (OPS+ of 38!)
"I never predict anything, and I never will." Paul Gascoigne, English footballer
by One won lost won on
Jun 30, 2008 10:00 AM PDT
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Hurray?
Procrastinators unite....tomorrow
by muffinpryde on
Jun 29, 2008 9:20 PM PDT
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This is a most bewildering decision
I dont mind spending the money, but on a 16 year old pitcher? Who is 6’7? That seems the very definition of risky. I think this is going to be one of those things that we all laugh about one day. Like Ariel Prieto.
Sigh
by mikedaviswhereareyou on
Jun 29, 2008 10:42 PM PDT
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Wouldn't it make our collection complete?
Whoops…sorry, wrong Ariel.
"God doesn't pay attention to your cute little hypotheticals." -- Jeff from LL
by oblique on
Jun 29, 2008 10:43 PM PDT
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The Little Mermaid is hot
AmIRightGuys? Guys…
A little plumbing! Got to plumb! Plumb the depths! The depths of hell! - Larry David, CYE
by Swooney's Left Foot on
Jun 29, 2008 10:46 PM PDT
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Good point. Why is Inoa a better deal at $4.25 MM than Porcello for $7 MM?
Is it that Inoa is a better prospect or that Porcello cost $3 MM more? Saying “it’s a bit of both is a cop-out.”
by WaddellCanseco on
Jun 30, 2008 7:11 AM PDT
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Didn't Porcello sign a major league deal?
I believe he signed and was put directly onto the 40 man roster.
IMO, that makes a HUGE difference.
by mikev on
Jun 30, 2008 7:44 AM PDT
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Yes, which means he gets four options. He'd have to stick by 2012.
Are you saying Inoa and Porcello are roughly equal in upside? That would be awesome, because Porcello was basically the highest rated amateur pitching prospect in about 20 years, wasn’t he?
by WaddellCanseco on
Jun 30, 2008 8:02 AM PDT
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I don't know - I have nothing on Inoa other than the articles posted here previously
Wasn’t the consensus that he’d pretty much have been the #1 overall pick in the draft this year if he was eligible?
by mikev on
Jun 30, 2008 8:28 AM PDT
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"He's a once-in-a-decade type pitcher," said one international scout.
That was from http://www.baseballamerica.com/today/prospects/international-affairs/2008/266380.html
According to “one insider”, Inoa has superior body control [than Dellin Betances], command, and third pitch with an overall more polished package, and obviously is two years younger. He could very well be Rick Porcello in two years and that would seem to make $4 million a bargain. From http://www.saberscouting.com/2008/06/26/michelinoareport/
“Inoa, Rodriguez, Yorman and Portillo would [challenge] the first selection if they were eligible for the American draft this year; I have no doubt about that,” said a top AL executive. From http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=3433834
by WaddellCanseco on
Jun 30, 2008 8:52 AM PDT
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Nobody's mentioned the real reason why Inoa > Porcello
Opportunity cost.
If you take Porcello, you don’t get James Simmons. If you sign Inoa, you’re still free to get Simmons with your draft pick.
Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.
by PaulThomas on
Jun 30, 2008 8:58 AM PDT
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Are you saying Porcello + Inoa is a worse bet purely on talent than
Simmons + Inoa? Or is the money the difference maker?
by WaddellCanseco on
Jun 30, 2008 9:14 AM PDT
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I think he's saying that
Simmons + Inoa > Porcello.
If the A’s had drafted and signed Porcello, they wouldn’t have gotten Simmons.
Inoa is not the same as a risky high school draft pick because signing did not require a pick, only money.
ZIPS: Milledge: 466 HR, 485 2B, 2282 hits, 278-379-524
by rfloh on
Jun 30, 2008 9:21 AM PDT
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How does signing Porcello preclude Inoa?
by WaddellCanseco on
Jun 30, 2008 9:27 AM PDT
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It doesn't.
That is a different question from the Porcello or Inoa question.
ZIPS: Milledge: 466 HR, 485 2B, 2282 hits, 278-379-524
by rfloh on
Jun 30, 2008 10:05 AM PDT
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Right
I’m not sure whether Simmons+Inoa > Porcello+Inoa. Right now it looks like it might be, but the jury will be out on that case for at least another 5 years.
Think of it this way: Simmons+Porcello
Now subtract Simmons from both sides of that inequality, and you’re left with Porcello
Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.
by PaulThomas on
Jun 30, 2008 9:28 AM PDT
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(&(&(* formatting
Simmons+Porcello (less than) Simmons+Inoa, because Simmons+Porcello is impossible. You can’t have both.
Now subtract Simmons from both sides of that inequality, and you get Porcello (less than) Inoa.
Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.
by PaulThomas on
Jun 30, 2008 9:29 AM PDT
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So you think Inoa>Porcello?
That would be tremendous!
by WaddellCanseco on
Jun 30, 2008 9:31 AM PDT
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I think he's a better choice of scarce resources than Porcello
I’m not qualified to evaluate him as a player vis a vis Porcello.
Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.
by PaulThomas on
Jun 30, 2008 9:44 AM PDT
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Isn't how good a player he is vs Porcello
the key determinant as to who is a better choice of scarce resources?
Anyway, the real choice is Simmons + Inoa for $5.4M or Inoa + Porcello for $12 M.
I’ve no idea which is the better move.
by WaddellCanseco on
Jun 30, 2008 10:03 AM PDT
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IMO, Inoa + Porcello
If the only factor is money, you have to go with the higher ceiling guys.
That’s not a knock on Simmons whatsoever, btw.
by mikev on
Jun 30, 2008 10:06 AM PDT
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The point, is that
the scarce resources aren’t limited to money. The draft pick is even scarcer.
You can’t compare the $7M for Porcello with the $4.5M for Inoa. You need to include Simmons too. If the A’s had gotten Porcello, there’s no Simmons.
ZIPS: Milledge: 466 HR, 485 2B, 2282 hits, 278-379-524
by rfloh on
Jun 30, 2008 10:13 AM PDT
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I'm with you on this
It’s hard to believe the Moneyball team, who thinks taking high school arms as high draft picks is a terrible practice, would spend $4.25 mil on a 16 year old pitcher. He better have flawless mechanics, or they are asking for injuries and disappointment.
by Philip Christy on
Jun 29, 2008 11:11 PM PDT
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You may have noticed the high school draftee
who is (or was as of a couple of days ago) leading the minors in strikeouts, name of Trevor Cahill. Turns out he was drafted by the A’s.
Times have changed. This isn’t 2002 anymore, and teams are taking a lot more college players in the draft.
Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.
by PaulThomas on
Jun 30, 2008 1:36 AM PDT
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Yes, but
they took Cahill in the second round, for (I assume) much less money than they will apparently give Inoa. My point being, Inoa is even less polished, has more chance of breaking down (I would think, because he’s younger), and yet they are paying him more.
It just seems like a real big risk, the kind the A’s never take because they can’t afford to.
by Philip Christy on
Jun 30, 2008 6:19 PM PDT
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When you cut 30mil
outta your payroll and can take a 4mil dollar gamble. Win/Win
When will then be now? Soon.
by Syphon on
Jun 30, 2008 6:47 PM PDT
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How is this a real big risk?
It’s $4 million. It’s far less of a risk than they took signing Crosby and Harden to their contracts. Both of those deals have gone about as badly as possible, and they still weren’t bad investments. $4 million is peanuts.
Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.
by PaulThomas on
Jun 30, 2008 8:07 PM PDT
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Inoa
isn’t really comparable to a high school pitcher because of the fact that he isn’t going to cost the A’s a draft pick. The $4M the A’s are giving him is less than the $7M they gave Piazza last year. $4M to Inoa is better risk than $1.5M to Emil Brown.
The danger in taking high school pitchers isn’t really the money. It is the loss of the draft pick, which could have been used on other players.
ZIPS: Milledge: 466 HR, 485 2B, 2282 hits, 278-379-524
by rfloh on
Jul 1, 2008 7:31 AM PDT
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This is not "the Moneyball team" any more. Some things are changing.
Last of the Ninth - Photography Site
jamesvenes.com - Blog
by Flashfire on
Jun 30, 2008 7:00 AM PDT
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it's definitely still the "Moneyball" team.
by mikev on
Jun 30, 2008 7:45 AM PDT
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Yeah.
For the 900th time, Moneyball isn’t about taking college players and drawing walks.
At all.
Notes From The Nat has a new home: http://www.natnotes.com
by Ozzz on
Jun 30, 2008 8:37 PM PDT
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Joe Morgan disagrees
And says Billy should never have written it.
by nevermoor on
Jun 30, 2008 8:42 PM PDT
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A guess
I think there may be a few things going on.
First, Oakland is still not wasting a First Round pick on a high school pitcher. I suspect this has more to do with the value of that pick and less to do with the money paid to that pick.
Second, they have picked up a lot of high school arms later in recent drafts. I expect a few things drive that. If you get enough arms at least one of them will pan out. There may be a thought in the organization that they can develop young pitchers better than college baseball. There is not the pressing need to get drafted talent into the majors ASAP anymore.
Third, related to #1. Money is less scarce than draft picks. So, spending money to get the equivalent of a first round draft pick may be a good idea.
by Donner on
Jun 30, 2008 9:17 AM PDT
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The point is this:
They draft a high schooler who flames out —-> they also lost any opportunity of the player-they-would’ve-picked had they not picked the high schooler.
They sign a 16 year old Phenom from the DR who flames out t-—> they lose the money they paid him/still have that draft pick they used on a college guy.
witty remark
by dtownmbrown on
Jul 1, 2008 7:00 PM PDT
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My question is
how did we outbid the Yankees? I thought free agent signings were out of the realm of possibility when it came against the Yanks. Obviously with Beane’s track record and his infatuation with this kid, why didn’t the Hitler Jr, I mean Steinbrenner, jump in and up the ante another million?
by petitceebee on
Jun 29, 2008 10:51 PM PDT
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According to BA, the Yankees were pissed
that they thought they had an agreement with him, but then he broke it when he signed with a new agent who then upped his asking price. So they told him to go jump in the lake and pulled out.
Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.
by PaulThomas on
Jun 29, 2008 11:03 PM PDT
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Jumped in a lake and pulled out
That’s how my first child was conceived.
A little plumbing! Got to plumb! Plumb the depths! The depths of hell! - Larry David, CYE
by Swooney's Left Foot on
Jun 29, 2008 11:07 PM PDT
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LOL -- good swimmer?
The meaning of life is not so much 'found,' as it is 'made.' --Opus
by The Dogfather on
Jun 30, 2008 11:26 AM PDT
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Well, one was better than the rest.
Last of the Ninth - Photography Site
jamesvenes.com - Blog
by Flashfire on
Jun 30, 2008 11:30 AM PDT
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My boys can swim, baby!
A little plumbing! Got to plumb! Plumb the depths! The depths of hell! - Larry David, CYE
by Swooney's Left Foot on
Jun 30, 2008 11:49 AM PDT
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Wow.
Since when did the Yankees become so ethically driven? If this kid is everything he’s supposed to be (I read somewhere that he is a a ONCE IN A LIFETIME talent) then shouldn’t the Wanks just turn the cheek and fork out the cash?
by petitceebee on
Jun 29, 2008 11:15 PM PDT
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reality check
every prospect is a once in a lifetime talent. doesn’t mean they’re guaranteed to be better in the MLB than Todd VanPoppel
by nevermoor on
Jun 30, 2008 6:14 AM PDT
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I don't see the downside here
We plopped down 4.25 million to control a “once-in-a-generation” type talent.
If he flames out, we lost all of 4.25 million in a season where we’re the 28th highest payroll in the league and Emil Brown makes like 1.8 million.
There just isn’t downside with this. It exists only in the form of money, and a considerably unimportant amount at that.
RagingHarden: Yeah if you get 20 starts out of me I'll be shocked. Like, I'll wreck my drawers.
by walk off bunt on
Jun 29, 2008 11:47 PM PDT
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That's what I was thinking
unsure about this one
Green Hulk Fists
by oaklandSMASH on
Jun 30, 2008 12:10 AM PDT
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Surprised
It’s so un-A’s like. But people like me complain about the team’s unwillingness to try for high-risk, high-reward players. This will shut me up for a while.
by bear88 on
Jun 30, 2008 12:28 AM PDT
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GREAT signing
I don’t see any downside to this, either
If anything, it shows a new dedication to Latin baseball, which is a GREAT thing
From all reports, if Inoa is really a “once in a generation” talent, what’s there to lose? $4.25 million?
His upside, and the upside of a renewed commitment to Latin baseball, are huge pluses
He has great size, which to me sounds A LOT better than signing a 5’7”, 160 pound flamethrower. SOUNDS less injury prone, but who knows how true that holds.
1. Michel Inoa, RHP, Dominican Republic
There has certainly been much said about Inoa in recent weeks, so I’ll stick to reporting what I’ve heard rather that what you can already read there. Inoa is 6′7 and an athletic 205 pound right-handed pitcher whose fastball has been as high as 96, but sits in the 91-93 range presently.He is especially noted for his outstanding frame: he’s already enormous for a 16 year old, but has plenty of remaining projection, amazing body control, and mechanics that translate into borderline unbelievable command for his age and size. Most 6′7 teenage pitchers (there aren’t that many to begin with) are gangly, all arms and legs, raw, lack command and body control, and generally just a long way from being a finished product. One source termed Inoa frame as, "a basketball body with some definition—he’s still skinny—but he’s projectable and has basketball athleticism."
These qualities have some projecting him to hit 100 in a few years, and that isn’t too far-fetched considering the fact that he’s had little to no high-level coaching. Inoa’s mechanics are clean and the ball "comes out of his hand shockingly easy," according to another source. Inoa comes from an athletic family, has a clean and fluid arm action, and earns high marks for his makeup and work ethic.
Inoa has advanced feel a curveball that already flashes above-average and most project for plus, along with a splitter than one insider called "dirty." He’s been called a , "once in a decade talent," by more than a few. The first source said that elements of Inoa remind him of Dellin Betances as a high school prospect, with the big projectable frame, lack of high-level instruction, easy velocity, and feel for a potential plus curveball, but then points out the differences that make Betances a $1 million bonus 18 year old and figure to make Inoa a $4 million plus bonus player at 16 years old.
Inoa has superior body control, command, and third pitch with an overall more polished package, and obviously is two years younger. He could very well be Rick Porcello in two years and that would seem to make $4 million a bargain. I’ll get into more detail about the logic and risk of amateur bonuses and Latin versus draft spending an article after the Latin scouting reports
FROM: http://www.saberscouting.com/2008/06/26/michelinoareport/
Personally, I’m GIDDY
by BillMoresi on
Jun 30, 2008 12:28 AM PDT
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The team spends money to acquire
a phenomenal talent and people complain. Its just money, which we saved 30mil or so from this year. No better way to spend it then on the draft and international free agents. This is win/win. All A’s fan should be very very happy we signed him.
When will then be now? Soon.
by Syphon on
Jun 30, 2008 12:34 AM PDT
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Agree with this thinking
The Athletics (not “we”) saved $30million in salary costs, and are below average in salary expenditure, so this is a perfect shift of expense to a future asset.
"I never predict anything, and I never will." Paul Gascoigne, English footballer
by One won lost won on
Jun 30, 2008 10:11 AM PDT
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HOW EXCITING!!
i don’t know anything about inoa but it’s great to see the A’s go after somebody that is suppose to be a once-in-a-generation type talent!
this kid must be really special if billy beane is pushing this hard to get him!
""These guys are a different breed of ballclub." - Twins manager Ron Gardenhire on the A's
by gotgreen on
Jun 30, 2008 12:45 AM PDT
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Picture

I’d like to find a picture of him next to other people, so as to get a better idea of how big he is.
"Dispatch knuckleheadedness with Bond-like aplomb." –74mk
by iglew on
Jun 30, 2008 12:46 AM PDT
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They say 6-7
When will then be now? Soon.
by Syphon on
Jun 30, 2008 12:50 AM PDT
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Let's hope so...we don't want the Beasley affect, lol. They say 6-7 and when it comes down to
it he’s like 6-3, hehe!!!
oAkLaNd AtHlEtIcS!!
It's only Spring Clean for the May Queen. Call the Gardener!
by LiZaRdReVoLuTiOn on
Jun 30, 2008 8:15 AM PDT
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Beasley affectsorry misspelled it’s effect! lol It’s early people!
oAkLaNd AtHlEtIcS!!
It's only Spring Clean for the May Queen. Call the Gardener!
by LiZaRdReVoLuTiOn on
Jun 30, 2008 8:16 AM PDT
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Like Russell Cross, guy the Warriors drafted number one in 1983
he came in about four inches shorter (!!! like 6’6” instead of 6’10”!!)
"I never predict anything, and I never will." Paul Gascoigne, English footballer
by One won lost won on
Jun 30, 2008 10:15 AM PDT
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Man Crush Alert -
I got it bad.
BRING HIM UP NOW! PUT HIM IN THE ROTATION IN BLANTON’S SPOT! DFA EMIL BROWN!! KILL A CHICKEN!!!
Sorry.
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 30, 2008 12:55 PM PDT
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Goin' all madmongoose on us!
arentcha nico? :)
"I'm seeing more and more Paul-baiting these days."
by OptimistPrime on
Jun 30, 2008 12:57 PM PDT
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I don't like to get into these things, but
I am not he.
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 30, 2008 12:59 PM PDT
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I saw someone say DFA Brown
I don’t really know the context, but I couldn’t agree more
by nevermoor on
Jun 30, 2008 1:36 PM PDT
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-Cindi
I generally bemoan the profusion of Mr Sabermetric Sporks in the Scrabble ranks who don't know the meaning or usage of 50% of the words they use. -monkeyball
by JediLeroy on
Jun 30, 2008 2:24 PM PDT
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I believe killing chickens is Pedro and Juan's department.
The meaning of life is not so much 'found,' as it is 'made.' --Opus
by The Dogfather on
Jun 30, 2008 2:01 PM PDT
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That baseball looks pret-ty small.
Besides, at 6-4, Billy oughtta be able to judge 6-7.
The meaning of life is not so much 'found,' as it is 'made.' --Opus
by The Dogfather on
Jun 30, 2008 11:35 AM PDT
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That's actually a bowling ball
I generally bemoan the profusion of Mr Sabermetric Sporks in the Scrabble ranks who don't know the meaning or usage of 50% of the words they use. -monkeyball
by JediLeroy on
Jun 30, 2008 12:35 PM PDT
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definitely looks like a teenager too...
unlike greg oden, for example
Bill James on Duane Kuiper: "It's absolutely incredible that a player this bad could be given 3000 at bats in the major leagues." -- Baseball Abstract, 1982
by blueconversechucks on
Jul 1, 2008 5:22 PM PDT
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better to spend this amount
on a super prospect, than lots more $$ on an aging free agent based on what he could do in his prime
by OaklandSi on
Jun 30, 2008 5:28 AM PDT
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i find this story incredibly interesting.
when was the last time the A’s were in the same conversation regarding money with the Yankees and Red Sox? i find it mind-boggling.
I see this as an extension of what PT pointed out above- our movement towards mixing in more high risk/reward players at the bottom. but still, this one sets the bar WAY higher than it’s ever been before.
i like this new philosophy. I dont mind the A’s saving some money by passing up on (trading etc.) free agents when I see them put more money into the talent base. Keeping aging free agents is a risk too, albeit a significantly smaller risk than a 16 year old, but a free agent contract these days still dwarfs the $4m this guy is getting.
by oakinboston on
Jun 30, 2008 6:14 AM PDT
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I do like the move
I think a lot of this is about picking and choosing where you spend your money.
Over most of the past decade the A’s have been known for having excellent pitching and a strong minor league system. They got a little thin down on the farm in recent years but the Swisher and Haren trades immediately helped them replenish much of the talent they’d either called up or traded.
When you look at the way posting works for players from Japan, there is a major difference in the amount of money spent just to try to bring someone in. Teams like the A’s can’t really make a run at those players because of that, plus the Japanese League is at a more professional level than a player like Inoa, who’s still just a kid. At one time this is what the A’s did. Instead of signing one or two players for big bucks, they took that money and spent it in the Dominican Republic and surrounding areas, signing a number of players instead. Some of them would pan out, some not.
With Inoa, nobody can really say what he’ll end up being yet. There’s a lot of hype with all this once-in-a-generation stuff, but I can say one thing: I’m glad to see the A’s are the ones taking a shot at him. This ought to be interesting.
Last of the Ninth - Photography Site
jamesvenes.com - Blog
by Flashfire on
Jun 30, 2008 7:04 AM PDT
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They're supposedly scouting Asian players as much as Latin American players the same now
by WaddellCanseco on
Jun 30, 2008 7:15 AM PDT
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My guess there is it'll be more Yabu types than...
...Ichiros, Matsuis and Matsuzakas.
They can’t afford to play the posting game for the high-priced talent, but they can get in the mix for a more marginal one.
Last of the Ninth - Photography Site
jamesvenes.com - Blog
by Flashfire on
Jun 30, 2008 7:44 AM PDT
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Oh hell no
His posting fee will finance the entire Fighters team for two years running…
No, the A’s best angle on the Far East is in the less developed countries. Korea, Taiwan and especially, if the international relations angle works out, China.
Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.
by PaulThomas on
Jun 30, 2008 8:14 AM PDT
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China?
If you want to try for an area with a large population, you’re much better off going after the Indian subcontinent.
At least cricket is somewhat similar to baseball, unlike soccer or badminton.
ZIPS: Milledge: 466 HR, 485 2B, 2282 hits, 278-379-524
by rfloh on
Jun 30, 2008 8:47 AM PDT
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Unfortunately the Indian cricket team isn't anything to write home about these days
Nor is Pakistan. Sri Lanka looks a bit more promising.
by WaddellCanseco on
Jun 30, 2008 8:54 AM PDT
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And then there's Australia...
Notes From The Nat has a new home: http://www.natnotes.com
by Ozzz on
Jun 30, 2008 8:41 PM PDT
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I think the cricket -> baseball angle has been tried before
and found to be basically non-helpful…
Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.
by PaulThomas on
Jun 30, 2008 8:59 AM PDT
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Really, when has it been tried? Not being snarky here.
As in an actual serious youth development program?
ZIPS: Milledge: 466 HR, 485 2B, 2282 hits, 278-379-524
by rfloh on
Jun 30, 2008 9:06 AM PDT
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No, more like signing cricket players and hoping the skills would translate
I think youth development will work anywhere, though… I mean, half the kids in the Dominican academies have never played a legit game of baseball in their lives when they turn up.
India is an intriguing option though, particularly because (uniquely in East Asia) a lot of people have conversational English skills.
Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.
by PaulThomas on
Jun 30, 2008 9:37 AM PDT
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Why can't THOSE people be employed with Dell tech support?
:(
by mikev on
Jun 30, 2008 9:57 AM PDT
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Because Dell tech support probably pays shit?
And the ones who speak good English are likely making more money elsewhere?
Last of the Ninth - Photography Site
jamesvenes.com - Blog
by Flashfire on
Jun 30, 2008 9:59 AM PDT
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Not uniquely
A lot of people have conversational English skills in the Philippines as well. (Pakistan, too, but maybe you don’t count that as “East Asia”.)
"Dispatch knuckleheadedness with Bond-like aplomb." –74mk
by iglew on
Jun 30, 2008 9:57 AM PDT
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If Pakistan is not East Asia,
then neither is India.
Also, Malaysia and Singapore are former British colonies. Pretty much everyone from those 2 countries can speak English decently.
ZIPS: Milledge: 466 HR, 485 2B, 2282 hits, 278-379-524
by rfloh on
Jun 30, 2008 10:00 AM PDT
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You have to draw the line
between “Middle East” and “East Asia” somewhere. To draw it between Pakistan and India is one plausible option.
"Dispatch knuckleheadedness with Bond-like aplomb." –74mk
by iglew on
Jun 30, 2008 10:04 AM PDT
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There's also Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal and Myanmar.
I believe the conventional border for East Asia vs South Asia is between Myanmar and Bangladesh (ASEAN vs SAARC). The conventional border between South Asia and Middle East or West Asia is between Pakistan and Afghanistan/Iran (Khyber Pass). To the extent that some regional corporate HQs are run out of Dubai, both India and Pakistan fall under a larger Middle East/South Asia region. I’ve never heard of multinational company, trade grouping or NGO splitting India and Pakistan into East Asia and Middle East. Do you know of any?
by WaddellCanseco on
Jun 30, 2008 10:13 AM PDT
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Bill James
has statistically demonstrated that Myanmar is overscouted in comparison to Sri Lanka, so let’s have no more of these specious comparisons!
"...in baseball you wear a cap." -- george carlin
by Hot Cup Joe on
Jun 30, 2008 12:20 PM PDT
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No wonder the A's always lead the league
in “leg before wicket” violations. :-(
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 30, 2008 12:58 PM PDT
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lbw is not a violation, just an out
You can’t get suspended for it
by WaddellCanseco on
Jun 30, 2008 1:26 PM PDT
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Maybe they can't
but you can for knowing that
by nevermoor on
Jun 30, 2008 1:37 PM PDT
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I will defend to the death my right,
nay the right of any man, woman and child—to know basic cricket rules!
by WaddellCanseco on
Jun 30, 2008 1:44 PM PDT
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death you say?
alright then. en guard!
by nevermoor on
Jun 30, 2008 2:10 PM PDT
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As the challenged party it is my right
to choose weapons. I choose the keyboard.
by WaddellCanseco on
Jun 30, 2008 2:56 PM PDT
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/me stands at silly mid-on
Ooh, my element. I’ll just climb on in.
Notes From The Nat has a new home: http://www.natnotes.com
by Ozzz on
Jun 30, 2008 8:43 PM PDT
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I can't imagine any reasonable (though still arbitrary) line being drawn
anywhere other than one side or the other of Iran.
"It's for your own good. Big strong Devo knows whats best for Poppy" -- Mossback
by devo on
Jul 1, 2008 1:53 PM PDT
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how can you keep that ZIPS?
on Milledge, rfloh? His disabled list situation in 2008 is just the beginning of the end, IMO.
"I never predict anything, and I never will." Paul Gascoigne, English footballer
by One won lost won on
Jun 30, 2008 10:38 AM PDT
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Sure a couple months of suckiness
is indeed a concern. It’s still only a couple months.
ZIPS: Milledge: 466 HR, 485 2B, 2282 hits, 278-379-524
by rfloh on
Jun 30, 2008 11:25 AM PDT
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It was a poor choice of words on my part, actually
What I meant was “everything east of Central Asia/Iran,” but that’s not the same as “East Asia” (generally defined as China, Taiwan, Korea, and Japan). Really, the area I’m talking about includes East Asia, South Asia and (natch) Southeast Asia.
I’m surprised baseball never really caught on in the Phillippines. There must be some interesting socio-cultural explanation for it, but I’m not aware of it.
Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.
by PaulThomas on
Jun 30, 2008 11:29 AM PDT
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Probably, basketball happened
AFAIK, it is the American sport of choice in the Phillippines, and also China.
ZIPS: Milledge: 466 HR, 485 2B, 2282 hits, 278-379-524
by rfloh on
Jun 30, 2008 12:11 PM PDT
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I've often wondered why baseball catches on
in some countries but not in others.
In South America, for example, why in the Caribbean nations but nowhere else on the continent? We see lots of players from Venezuela but none that I can think of from Brazil, Argentina or Peru(which are all soccer countries). Even within Colombia, all the baseball players are from the coastal region in the north and few if any from anywhere else in the country.
"Dispatch knuckleheadedness with Bond-like aplomb." –74mk
by iglew on
Jun 30, 2008 12:59 PM PDT
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Well, that one's easy... they're all playing soccer
The non-Caribbean South American countries have traditionally looked toward Europe rather than the United States, and were never occupied by US troops evangelizing baseball to their shores (unlike the Phillippines). And related to this is international rivalry in the continent—you can probably blame the Argentines (always the most Euro-friendly nation in the Western Hemisphere), but it’s not a coincidence that the Soccer War took place in South America. If you grow up wanting to beat Argentina, or Peru, or Brazil, you’ll play soccer.
Soccer is the most popular game by such a huge margin that it usually makes more sense to ask “why not soccer” for the countries where it ISN’T the most popular than the other way around. Sometimes it’s obvious (Canada and Scandinavia play hockey instead because it’s so bloody cold there) and sometimes it’s historical (US dominance of the Caribbean plus baseball being a US sport) and sometimes it’s biological (Lithuanians are tall). And sometimes it’s a more complicated question.
Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.
by PaulThomas on
Jun 30, 2008 1:19 PM PDT
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Not to be petty, but football is hugely popular in Scandinavia.
by OldhamA on
Jun 30, 2008 1:46 PM PDT
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It's hugely popular in Japan too
but in each of those countries, it occupies the place that, say, baseball or basketball does in the US. Popular, but clearly second tier.
Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.
by PaulThomas on
Jun 30, 2008 1:57 PM PDT
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not such a huge margin anymore
Basketball is gaining ground pretty quickly.
"Behind both goals were banners bearing the word 'Calamity' while another carried the warning: 'You will drown in the Bosphorous.'"--Threats made by Turkish soccer fans to the British from a match in 2003. Tribute to their miraculous run in Euro 2008.
RIP Tim Russert, quintessential Buffalonian.
by Cutthemullet on
Jul 1, 2008 2:50 PM PDT
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I should have been clearer then
I don’t mean signing a cricket player and hoping that he can become a baseball player without much trouble.
I mean that someone who plays cricket seriously might have a better chance of becoming a baseball player than someone who plays badminton or soccer.
The general physical skills are at least more similar
ZIPS: Milledge: 466 HR, 485 2B, 2282 hits, 278-379-524
by rfloh on
Jun 30, 2008 10:03 AM PDT
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I would think badminton skills have some overlap
with skills for infield defense. Particularly the footwork.
"Dispatch knuckleheadedness with Bond-like aplomb." –74mk
by iglew on
Jun 30, 2008 10:07 AM PDT
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well, we know on expert witness testimony that badminton won't help you ...
... ground into a ton of double plays and get outhit by Neifi Perez.
Can an aging lemur suffer from dementia? @('.')@
by monkeyball on
Jun 30, 2008 10:30 AM PDT
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I played a lot of badminton when I was a kid
playing badminton didn’t help my footwork at all. I’m a kludz, footwork wise.
My personal anecdote aside, The footwork involved in badminton isn’t really all that complicated. Not compared to boxing, ballet, dancing fencing. Playing badminton is likely to improve footwork, compared to sitting on your ass playing video games, but I’m not convinced that playing badminton will improve baseball footwork, more than playing baseball itself.
ZIPS: Milledge: 466 HR, 485 2B, 2282 hits, 278-379-524
by rfloh on
Jun 30, 2008 11:30 AM PDT
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In all reality...
...if you can catch a cricket ball bare-handed when it’s been smashed at you from twenty feet away, you can damn sure take a grounded at second base with a big fat glove.
And if you can throw that ball so it hits the stumps, from side on, you can certainly hit first base.
Notes From The Nat has a new home: http://www.natnotes.com
by Ozzz on
Jun 30, 2008 8:44 PM PDT
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You are correct
flat bat, smaller ball… makes all the difference. Also, you basically get one AB per “match”. Psychologically different.
"I never predict anything, and I never will." Paul Gascoigne, English footballer
by One won lost won on
Jun 30, 2008 10:40 AM PDT
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Add to this the Miggy dividend
Miguel Tejada was courted by the A’s when he was very young (well, sorta young, since he was two years older, we find out!) The Oakland Athletics can point to (1) the way Miguel found eventual success, starting as a young Dominican, with the A’s, and (2) how well the Athletics coaching staff turns most good raw pitchers into good ML pitchers, as evidenced by the team ERA.
Is Juan Maricial (sp) still on the A’s scouting staff in the Dominican? He would give us a good link to the “Miguel endorsement” as well as the authority of a top ML pitcher of the past, who is a Dominican.
"I never predict anything, and I never will." Paul Gascoigne, English footballer
by One won lost won on
Jun 30, 2008 10:23 AM PDT
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To all who were skeptical that the payroll savings would be reinvested into the draft
and international signings because “they’ve never done that before”, what more would it take to satisfy you? So far we have:
Michel Inoa
Rashun Dixon
David Thomas
A bunch of high-upside draftees—Hunter, Berroa, Elgie, Warren
by WaddellCanseco on
Jun 30, 2008 7:19 AM PDT
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Yankees' writer and fans feel jilted over Inoa signing
http://mvn.com/milb-yankees/2008/06/29/shady-dealings-in-the-inoa-sweepstakes/
It’s really difficult to have any sympathy for the Bronx Bombers. To me this is a triumph of the Green n’ Gold over the Evil Empire.
"just a beating heart ... plasma that we'll put into our uniform." - Billy Beane
by athleticsBB4life on
Jun 30, 2008 7:59 AM PDT
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Especially since the David Wells incident
by WaddellCanseco on
Jun 30, 2008 8:02 AM PDT
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We have Inoa and the Yankees are sad?
Life is good.
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 30, 2008 1:00 PM PDT
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Looking around... digging through piles of clutter...
Ah, here’s my very tiny violin.
I will now play a tune of sorrow for the Yankees’ failure to sign Inoa.
[tunes violin, starts playing “Michelle” by the Beatles]
Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.
by PaulThomas on
Jun 30, 2008 9:05 AM PDT
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It's disgusting
How they’re all passing judgment on the kid.
“You’re right Eric, everyone would be fuming if it was the Yankees on the other end. I’m mad too, but more disappointed that Inoa did business the way he did.”
“While I am fully supportive of players trying to get as much money as they can, backing out of an agreement is highly unethical.”
With all due respect, please kindly shove it.
RagingHarden: Yeah if you get 20 starts out of me I'll be shocked. Like, I'll wreck my drawers.
by walk off bunt on
Jun 30, 2008 9:55 AM PDT
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Pot, meet kettle
Yankees fans upset because someone went for the bigger money. Now that’s funny.
There is no meta in "team."
by TomB on
Jun 30, 2008 8:02 PM PDT
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"Critics. Don't even ignore them"
quote from Samuel Goldwyn, in the 1930s about movie critics.
"I never predict anything, and I never will." Paul Gascoigne, English footballer
by One won lost won on
Jun 30, 2008 10:34 AM PDT
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Awesome, awesome news
We’ll see how Inoa pans out, because any one prospect, especially a young pitcher, can break the heart of those who become too attached to him.
This move, however, and the increasing willingness in general for the A’s to mix in some higher upside prospects, bodes very well for the A’s future. The A’s as an organization do so many things well, many of which get ignored because of the silly Moneyball backlash/infatuation, and now the A’s appear to be trying to address the things they haven’t done well. As a fan, I am very pleased with the direction of the A’s and now if we can just find a way to acquire/develop some a truly elite hitter, this team has all of the pieces to compete for a championship.
by BlameChannel53 on
Jun 30, 2008 8:25 AM PDT
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I love this signing
We’ve been losing at the international game for quite a while. Now who knows if it’s going to work out but it’s nice to have our team at the table when it comes to acquiring the incredible high upside guy.
6’7” and throws in the mid 90’s AND is 16 years old. Wow.
But BlameChannel53 does have a good point in that a young pitcher can most definitely break hearts. I’m just really excited about the A’s future and the fact that they’re willing to spend to ensure the future is bright.
by Blez on
Jun 30, 2008 8:41 AM PDT
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Remember Brien Taylor?
Either way, my point is made.
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 30, 2008 1:01 PM PDT
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When people bitch about having to travel to Fremont...
..they should understand that deals like this are why they should be happy doing so.
Notes From The Nat has a new home: http://www.natnotes.com
by Ozzz on
Jun 30, 2008 8:47 PM PDT
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I've a couple questions for everyone expressing doubts
about the wisdom of this deal: how would you prefer the money spent, and how would you suggest the A’s find players with elite level talent?
The A’s will not / cannot sign big money FA stars, much less superstars. So get a star / superstar caliber talent by drafting safe college talents? Should the A’s tank for a few years to get high draft picks to draft those elite college talents, who’re unlikely to be available after the top 10 picks or so?
ZIPS: Milledge: 466 HR, 485 2B, 2282 hits, 278-379-524
by rfloh on
Jun 30, 2008 8:52 AM PDT
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They're 44-37. You want them to tank the rest of the season now?
Personally I’m not in favor of tanking ever. I couldn’t ever personally do it. I wouldn’t respect anyone who did.
by WaddellCanseco on
Jun 30, 2008 8:55 AM PDT
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NO, that is a rhetorical question.
My point is that to get elite level college talent, you need high draft picks. You get high draft picks by tanking multiple seasons. If you want to focus on safe college talent, there is a pretty good likelihood that you will have to tank multiple seasons to get elite level talent.
ZIPS: Milledge: 466 HR, 485 2B, 2282 hits, 278-379-524
by rfloh on
Jun 30, 2008 9:08 AM PDT
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coughrayscough
Damn, these allergies are killing me.
Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.
by PaulThomas on
Jun 30, 2008 9:38 AM PDT
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Hence why I hate the Rays. They've basically shown that the system works,
i.e. you’re crap and therefore get elite talent.
by OldhamA on
Jun 30, 2008 10:12 AM PDT
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The system "works"??
The A’s were crappy in the late 90’s, which enabled them in 1997 to draft Chris Enochs and leave Lance Berkman, and they did little with the Mike Bordick compensation.
All the system does is “give you a horse”. Whether you can successfully attach that horse to a viable “cart”, then make the whole setup travel from “A” to “B” is another matter.
As an example, Florida’s two World Championships, versus Tampa Bay’s records.
"I never predict anything, and I never will." Paul Gascoigne, English footballer
by One won lost won on
Jun 30, 2008 10:31 AM PDT
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Just pointing out that Florida's first WC
was bought the good old fashioned way: with big money FAs, and a big money manager brought in to manage them.
ZIPS: Milledge: 466 HR, 485 2B, 2282 hits, 278-379-524
by rfloh on
Jun 30, 2008 11:23 AM PDT
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and other big money owners
don’t have the $$$ of Wayne Huiz…Huzi…Huizeng….the Waste Management multi-millionaire?? I mean, he even got the closer Jose Mesa for Cleveland to blow the last inning of the 7th game!!
It still makes me laugh to think about Mesa still throwing at Omar Visquel, because of the put down by Visquel’s book.
"I never predict anything, and I never will." Paul Gascoigne, English footballer
by One won lost won on
Jun 30, 2008 4:20 PM PDT
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All I'm saying is that the Marlins
did not get their first WC via drafting and development, despite the common belief.
ZIPS: Milledge: 466 HR, 485 2B, 2282 hits, 278-379-524
by rfloh on
Jun 30, 2008 11:49 PM PDT
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So....when can we see him in the A's minor league system?
Does he have to finish high school in Latin America? Or can we see him in Kane Country relatively soon?
by Bitey on
Jun 30, 2008 9:26 AM PDT
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Probably DSL or the equivalant for a year then extended ST, rookie league etc to get aclimated with the US
The main fear i have with Iona is the same fear i have with Salecedo. Iona isnt a player ti come up through the A’s LA program, therefore his age is always goign to be in question. How pumped will you be if he is really 19?
by laxtonto on
Jun 30, 2008 10:04 AM PDT
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I've been saying this elsewhere
I’m not at all convinced he’d be a worse prospect if he was 18 or 19. Less projectable, sure, but also less likely to be injured and more likely to hit the major leagues during his physical peak.
Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.
by PaulThomas on
Jun 30, 2008 11:37 AM PDT
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I call "dibs" ...
... on doing a FanPost this offseason titled “Inoa What You Did Last Summer.”
Anyone wants it, it’ll cost ya $20. You can PayPal it straight to mikeA.
Can an aging lemur suffer from dementia? @('.')@
by monkeyball on
Jun 30, 2008 9:32 AM PDT
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The FO just called
and they said they won’t give you $20 for the rights to the first FanPost with his name. They will give you a bat and a stomper puppet, but that’s it.
And don’t even ask about a jersy!
"Camelot sure fell apart, didn't it?"-Steve McCatty
by 5Aces on
Jun 30, 2008 9:41 AM PDT
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I just hope Nico never catches a foul ball

Can an aging lemur suffer from dementia? @('.')@
by monkeyball on
Jun 30, 2008 10:02 AM PDT
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I hope I catch two -
Menage a baaaaaaaaa, baby!
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 30, 2008 1:02 PM PDT
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You can have that. But I'm claiming his nickname.
The Michel-In Man.
(bows)
Notes From The Nat has a new home: http://www.natnotes.com
by Ozzz on
Jun 30, 2008 8:49 PM PDT
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It's time to knock the dust
off the ol’ Huston Street commercial about driving to the HOF ceremony.
"JOAN! Are you watching Bombast? Did you see Lack Bust drop that fly call?"
by Jennifer on
Jun 30, 2008 10:21 AM PDT
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$4 Meellion! Most guys buy their mothers a house with their bonus money --
—this guy could buy her Haiti.
The meaning of life is not so much 'found,' as it is 'made.' --Opus
by The Dogfather on
Jun 30, 2008 11:33 AM PDT
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Talk about a "Love/Haiti relationship"
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 30, 2008 1:03 PM PDT
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there is so much love for this signing in this thread (deservedly so imho)
that im feeling compelled to start working on a devil’s-advocate/wet-blanket perspective just to cause trouble.
...i cant really think of anything that doesnt have a good counter. anybody?
by oakinboston on
Jun 30, 2008 1:16 PM PDT
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From the fan's perspective, there is nothing to dislike about this signing
The only guy who’s unhappy is Lew Wolff’s mutual fund manager.
Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.
by PaulThomas on
Jun 30, 2008 1:20 PM PDT
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That's okay -- I bet even now there's a capuchin out there prehensiling an Ode to it.
The meaning of life is not so much 'found,' as it is 'made.' --Opus
by The Dogfather on
Jun 30, 2008 1:27 PM PDT
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Inoa-Gadda-da-Vida, baby
Can an aging lemur suffer from dementia? @('.')@
by monkeyball on
Jun 30, 2008 1:36 PM PDT
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....but do he gadda da slider?
EEeeee-NOOOOOOO-wa!
I-no-A, I-no-A, I-no-A, I-no-A, I-no-a-a-a-ah …
Oakland come and de Yanquis go home.
Come Mistah Billy-man, tally signing bonus, etc.
The meaning of life is not so much 'found,' as it is 'made.' --Opus
by The Dogfather on
Jun 30, 2008 2:14 PM PDT
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In the DR, the mighty DR, the prospect signs tonight
Inoa Inoa Inoa Inoa
He's a very personable, sweet, nice chimp. He's not going to be aggressive unless he's provoked. @('.')@
by monkeyball on
Jun 30, 2008 2:26 PM PDT
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Inoa guy who's... comin to The Show
When sees the Yankees, he thumbs his nose.
He don’t issue IBBs, or give up hits
He’s tall and throws hard, but best of these
He’s only siiiiiiiixteen
siiiiiiiixteen
siiiiiiiixteen
siiiiiiiixteen
siiiiiiiixteen
by mikev on
Jun 30, 2008 2:45 PM PDT
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He's a real Inoa man
Signing in his Inoa land
He's a very personable, sweet, nice chimp. He's not going to be aggressive unless he's provoked. @('.')@
by monkeyball on
Jun 30, 2008 3:00 PM PDT
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< voobah voobah voobah voobah >
<ding>
INOA…
There's no textbook for how to treat a geriatric tapir.
by Poppy on
Jun 30, 2008 3:52 PM PDT
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Depends on how much money there is to go around
The only possible downside I can see to this is if it seriously dries up the pool of money for signing draft picks. If getting Inoa means that we will not be able to sign Hunter or any of the HS guys from later in the draft, you might be able to make an argument against it.
But even that would be a tough sell as we don’t know yet how this will affect draft signings or if those guys were even possible to sign before the money dried up. Plus it would be tough to argue if these prospects are worth more than Inoa.
All in all I’d say it’s a good move as it adds talent to the system and lets hope there is more to follow.
by DiegoAsFan on
Jun 30, 2008 1:31 PM PDT
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Quick Question
Is his name pronounced eye-noa or eee-noa?
Procrastinators unite....tomorrow
by muffinpryde on
Jun 30, 2008 6:36 PM PDT
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"mee-shell ee-nwah"
(not really, but I like to think so.)
"Dispatch knuckleheadedness with Bond-like aplomb." –74mk
by iglew on
Jun 30, 2008 8:27 PM PDT
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To rhyme with quinoa...makes sense...
"God doesn't pay attention to your cute little hypotheticals." -- Jeff from LL
by oblique on
Jun 30, 2008 9:59 PM PDT
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If it follows standard Spanish pronunciation (some names, like Jessica, don't)
..it’s mee-CHELL ee-NO-ah
I generally bemoan the profusion of Mr Sabermetric Sporks in the Scrabble ranks who don't know the meaning or usage of 50% of the words they use. -monkeyball
by JediLeroy on
Jul 1, 2008 7:53 AM PDT
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the A's should overbid and spend 20mill+ for ALL the good Latin FA's this year
then watch the FA class of 08 go to work, pull out of the bidding in the future and let the rest of the rich teams have to severly overpay in the future when we are gone from the market. that will teach them to be rich
by TheLC on
Jun 30, 2008 8:21 PM PDT
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Hail, income!
"Dispatch knuckleheadedness with Bond-like aplomb." –74mk
by iglew on
Jun 30, 2008 8:33 PM PDT
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Ah ... nice limo!
"Dispatch knuckleheadedness with Bond-like aplomb." –74mk
by iglew on
Jun 30, 2008 8:35 PM PDT
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I do have one fear...
If he is really 16 and really 6”7, im owrried about what happend to his body control and repeatable mechanics when he actually puts weight on his frame? Thats the true problem with kids this age, its all projection of the body growth at this point.
I love the idea of signing him, but i still thikn im giving less than 50% to make the show until its shown how he will physically mature.
Im just terrified of how the discussion with Iona refers to his clean mechnics now, which can easly be wrecked for taller pitchers, well before hes had any true physical changes that come with age,
by laxtonto on
Jun 30, 2008 9:20 PM PDT
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I do have one fear ...
If he is actually 67 and really 1’6”.
He's a very personable, sweet, nice chimp. He's not going to be aggressive unless he's provoked. @('.')@
by monkeyball on
Jun 30, 2008 11:56 PM PDT
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"Dispatch knuckleheadedness with Bond-like aplomb." –74mk
by iglew on
Jul 1, 2008 12:01 AM PDT
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And he throws 95 MPH?
Works for 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
Jul 1, 2008 9:10 AM PDT
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with that kind of stuff, he projects as a ...
short reliever
He's a very personable, sweet, nice chimp. He's not going to be aggressive unless he's provoked. @('.')@
by monkeyball on
Jul 1, 2008 9:13 AM PDT
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I think of Dustin NIppert as a comparison....heat and nice breaking stuff that
cant be controled because the difficulties in repeating his delivery…
But then again he could be like Randy Johnson and his control and delivery refined becasue of the added weight.
It all boils down to the fact that does he ad mass to the upper or lower body nad how the A’s develope his mechanics
by laxtonto on
Jul 1, 2008 9:52 AM PDT
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In ten years, if his age is listed as 26,
I will eat this gigantic bug.
There's no textbook for how to treat a geriatric tapir.
by Poppy on
Jul 1, 2008 9:19 AM PDT
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that's actually a Rottweiler ...
... sitting in Inoa’s hand.
He's a very personable, sweet, nice chimp. He's not going to be aggressive unless he's provoked. @('.')@
by monkeyball on
Jul 1, 2008 9:22 AM PDT
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{bookmarks 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
Jul 1, 2008 11:56 AM PDT
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Does this one have an expiration date?
There's no textbook for how to treat a geriatric tapir.
by Poppy on
Jul 1, 2008 12:32 PM PDT
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LMAO - it's good until ohad hits 5' 9"
so I guess that’s good news for Robb.
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
Jul 1, 2008 4:52 PM PDT
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Looks Kinda Like ARod
"Oakland Is The Place 2 Be, 510 Or Go Home"
by YayArea510 on
Jul 1, 2008 10:29 PM PDT
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