Trade Rumor

by sggut95 on Jul 13, 2008 9:03 AM PDT

From Buster Olney's blog on espn.com, which is insider content, so you may not be able to see the whole thing, but here's the excerpt:

Some scout speculation: That Oakland and Tampa Bay will discuss a deal built around Huston Street and Matt Murton heading to the Rays, for prospects.

Not sure what to make of this, but I know Tampa Bay was rumored to be looking for another outfield bat. Street seems like a pretty good fit for the Rays, given Troy Percival's age and relative fragility.

Pure speculation here, but I would guess the A's could get some decent prospects in return, from among Jeff Nieman, Jeremy Hellickson, Wade Davis, John Jaso, and Desmond Jennings. (No way the Ray's are giving up Price. Keep dreaming there.)

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I'd feel a lot better if Cassilla would remember how to get outs.

by nevermoor on Jul 13, 2008 9:33 AM PDT reply actions

Devine

Will be back after the ASB, hopefully. Seems like he could step in as closer. If he’s not ready, Embree has shown he can hold down the fort in the past.

by sggut95 on Jul 13, 2008 9:56 AM PDT up reply actions

embree doesn't all of a sudden become a better pitcher just because you call him a closer

Jeremy was safe. He jumped over the tag.

by mrrickyg on Jul 13, 2008 10:54 AM PDT up reply actions

He did a pretty good job last year.

When will then be now? Soon.

by Syphon on Jul 13, 2008 11:08 AM PDT up reply actions

Zeigler?

Hey, apparently he’s got a 0.00 ERA or something…..

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

by ru155 on Jul 14, 2008 7:50 AM PDT up reply actions

Ziegler for the 9th inning yesterday, after he'd only thrown one pitch in the 8th,

would have made me so, so happy.

There's no textbook for how to treat a geriatric tapir.

by Poppy on Jul 14, 2008 10:30 AM PDT up reply actions

dude this could be huge

The Rays have a lot of talent on the farm…

by standuptriple on Jul 13, 2008 9:43 AM PDT reply actions

Let's do it...

Our big league club wouldn’t be much worse if at all. But can we please get some nice bats back? I know you can never have enough pitching… but pretty soon our AA and AAA teams are going to have to use 6 man rotations!!!!

We need some bats!!!!

"I'm not going to buy my kids an encyclopedia. Let them walk to school like I did." -Yogi Berra

by brenarlo on Jul 13, 2008 9:45 AM PDT reply actions

Jennings just had shoulder surgery

Do we want another Denorfia?

When you have a chance to get a guy like Sean Gallagher, you take it!

by WaddellCanseco on Jul 13, 2008 9:49 AM PDT reply actions

Jennings>>>Denorfia

Much, much, much higher upside.

by sggut95 on Jul 13, 2008 9:56 AM PDT up reply actions

Yeah, even as a Jennings agnostic and a Denorfia fan

they really aren’t even close to comparable as prospects.

Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.

by PaulThomas on Jul 13, 2008 6:47 PM PDT up reply actions

I'd really like to keep Matt Langerhans for a while

I wonder if there’s any way the Rays take DFA or one of the guys who hits left handed (Buck?). I would take significantly less in a deal for Brown/Street. Getting rid of Brown makes it worth getting less in return

http://bocropleasestopswingingatbadpitches.blogspot.com/

by thejd44 on Jul 13, 2008 9:54 AM PDT reply actions

We could just DFA DFA, so why hurt Street's trade value?

by OldhamA on Jul 13, 2008 9:56 AM PDT up reply actions

Yeah

DFA’s salary is low, so he wouldn’t reduce value much.

by nevermoor on Jul 13, 2008 11:23 AM PDT up reply actions

He is a Clipper.

"There's only one Ken Griffey ." Jay Bruce

by tresselfan on Jul 13, 2008 10:19 AM PDT up reply actions

I want to see Murton traded, only because

it will be amusing to see how quickly the fan base’s loss aversion kicks in. Six days ago he, along with the other three received in trade, were widely disparaged as worthless crap, not even close to as good as what we gave up. Now that he’s been ours for a week, will that turn around?

"Dispatch knuckleheadedness with Bond-like aplomb." –74mk

by iglew on Jul 13, 2008 10:56 AM PDT up reply actions

It would be especially funny because Murton was always someone AN wanted

by nevermoor on Jul 13, 2008 11:25 AM PDT up reply actions

Wow, talk about revisionist history

And that’s a bad idea when everything is documented right here on the site.

Very few people called Murton “worthless crap.” In fact, I’m not sure anybody did. A few might have called him a AAAA player. Others as more suited as a 4th OF (probably correct). There’s a huge difference between not being a good value for what went the other way and worthless crap.

Plus, nobody even knows what the A’s would get in return. Hypothetically speaking, what if the Rays were like “here’s Longoria for Street and Murton.” Wouldn’t everybody be like “Yes. Take them. Please.” You can’t make some sorta of odd blanket statement like this when it’s A) factually inaccurate and B) made before we even know what would come to the A’s in return

http://bocropleasestopswingingatbadpitches.blogspot.com/

by thejd44 on Jul 13, 2008 12:13 PM PDT up reply actions

OK, fine,

Make me waste my time going through the archives.

Setting aside the many many colorful characterizations of the trade itself, here’s a sample of what AN posters called the players we received:

And that’s just from about half the trade threads, before I got tired and stopped skimming. I’m sure there’s plenty more.

OK, so maybe no one actually said “worthless crap” in those exact words, but that’s sure what they meant. If anyone thinks I’m misrepresenting the mood by picking out the choicest phrases, fine. Go back and reread all the trade threads and judge for yourself. I stand by my claim. It is not “factually inaccurate”.

As for revisionist history, yes, it’s certainly interesting to go back and read the old threads. I’m not looking to pick a fight, so I won’t quote anyone, but people’s attitudes have certainly evolved over the week.

Yes, I know many people were speaking “before we even know what would come to the A’s in return”. That’s exactly what I was getting at with my original post about loss aversion. It’s very interesting to observe how people’s attitudes evolve.

"Dispatch knuckleheadedness with Bond-like aplomb." –74mk

by iglew on Jul 13, 2008 2:22 PM PDT up reply actions

$1.5 million isn't likely to be a deal breaker

Wait til the end of the deal, and say “For this to work you have to take Brown’s contract” etc.

Jeremy was safe. He jumped over the tag.

by mrrickyg on Jul 13, 2008 10:56 AM PDT up reply actions

Or

“If you’ve got a dozen used baseballs, we’ve got JUST the player for you.”

by nevermoor on Jul 13, 2008 11:26 AM PDT up reply actions

#1 player A's target from Rays is

Reid Brignac

Yes, all the other pitchers are great prospects and you can never have too many. However The lack of “true” shortstops in our system make him BB #1 target.

I could see a Brignac, Wade Davis or JeremyHellickson, Joel Guzman, Eduardo Morlan for Street and Murton.

Brignac immediately becomes the SS of the future and knowing Crosby is a DL waiting to happen he is MLB ready. If Cros stays healthy he continues improving in AAA.

Guzman is the “RH middle of the order” bat BB hopes can finally put it together w a change of scenery.

Morlan is a high upside relieve arm to be able to bring up in 09 providing depth.

Lastly the 2 names everyone knows and again supplies another possible #2-3 starter. Depending which one the A’s value.

Why it could work. Bartlett has done everything asked of him providing excellent D and Beckham is the Future. Guzman is blocked by a young all star. Adding Street solidifies 7-9 innings w the current bullpen and lastly David Price is the future along w Kaz, Garz, shields with 4 to 5 other starters viaing for last rotation spot.

by Bud Light on Jul 13, 2008 11:25 AM PDT reply actions

TB prospects

not sure they wouldve been available, but jennings/mcgee are injured for awhile

brignac only 22 in AAA, but not doing much

by Asfan4ever723 on Jul 13, 2008 11:45 AM PDT up reply actions

My concern about Brignac is that

he’s been hitting poorly for a while – back to last season and AA ball.

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 13, 2008 11:48 AM PDT up reply actions

At this point I'm not sure Brignac is going to be better than Petit

He’s certainly not a sure thing prospect anymore.

http://bocropleasestopswingingatbadpitches.blogspot.com/

by thejd44 on Jul 13, 2008 12:17 PM PDT up reply actions

that would be cool.

I’d be interested to see who Beane targets in the Rays system, it’s a smörgåsbord of talent.

by rebus on Jul 13, 2008 1:10 PM PDT up reply actions

Tampa sent Brignac back to AAA

He was 0 for 10 with 5 K’s.

A little plumbing! Got to plumb! Plumb the depths! The depths of hell! - Larry David, CYE

by Swooney's Left Foot on Jul 13, 2008 3:20 PM PDT up reply actions

Ziggy for closer!

Procrastinators unite....tomorrow

by muffinpryde on Jul 13, 2008 3:38 PM PDT reply actions

Where the Streets have a new name

I was against any trading of Huston Street because he’s young and he still could improve but I’m changing my mind. Take away the rookie season and he really looks like a slightly above average closer. If we can get a haul for him so be it. The only thing I would say is it has to be a SS or 3B coming back, no more number 3 starters we have enough of those.

by briandouglas on Jul 13, 2008 5:01 PM PDT reply actions

Actually, Street's rookie season

was clearly his worst season, if you actually look at process numbers like Ks, BBs, etc. He had a really low BABIP if I recall correctly, and hardly gave up any home runs.

Seriously, people—he is EXACTLY the same pitcher he’s always been this year. No change. Zero. Zilch.

Shit happens when you pitch a baseball. Obsessing over it is a great way to work yourself into a lather while forming really silly opinions.

Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.

by PaulThomas on Jul 13, 2008 6:53 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs

The one difference I see is that

his velocity is a lot more variable now from appearance to appearance than I recall it being in 2005.

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 13, 2008 7:09 PM PDT up reply actions

Could be, I didn't see much of the team in 2005

That was in the bad old pre-cable (and pre-me having any money) days.

Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.

by PaulThomas on Jul 13, 2008 7:28 PM PDT up reply actions

Seemed like was pretty reliably

at 92-93MPH unless he was pitching three days in a row. Now it seems like sometimes he’s there and sometimes he’s 89-90 MPH.

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 13, 2008 7:49 PM PDT up reply actions

He was hitting 94-95 pretty regularly as a rookie, if I remember right

by mikev on Jul 13, 2008 9:40 PM PDT up reply actions

Yes..He has lost a few ticks..

maybe more than a few. Maybe his groin is still a problem.

When will then be now? Soon.

by Syphon on Jul 13, 2008 11:33 PM PDT up reply actions

That's not what she said!

The monster at the end of this blog.

by grover on Jul 14, 2008 8:20 AM PDT up reply actions

Isn't there a stat somewhere that will give you the answer?

Sorry, had to ask. ;-)

You can't sit on a lead and run a few plays into the line and just kill the clock. You've got to throw the ball over the goddamn plate and give the other man his chance. That's why baseball is the greatest game of them all. ~Earl Weaver

by UncleLeo on Jul 13, 2008 7:57 PM PDT up reply actions

That watch you gave me?

I threw it in the trash.

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 13, 2008 8:17 PM PDT up reply actions

In this case? No.

We know his average velocity from both seasons, but not the variance.

[Yes, I know you were being facetious, but it really is info that we don’t have.]

Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.

by PaulThomas on Jul 13, 2008 8:18 PM PDT up reply actions

velocity, and control

I didn’t see Sunday’s game, but often when Street has poor results, it looks as though it’s due to his not getting “on top of” his pitches, when his slider and fastball both “float” instead of diving.

Seems to me that he’s either hurt, or he’s got some mechanical issue that he doesn’t have good enough control over.

... arousing men to burst the chains under which monkeyish ignorance and superstition had persuaded them to bind themselves ... @('.')@

by monkeyball on Jul 14, 2008 9:34 AM PDT up reply actions

i agree

I actually LOVE street so I’d be sad to see him go buuuut ZIGGY FOR CLOSER lol

by ilovegregsmith on Jul 13, 2008 6:25 PM PDT reply actions

I love Ziggy as much as everyone else on here...

... but his current streak of awesome notwithstanding, extreme sidearmers aren’t ideal for the closer role generally speaking. Zig is kicking ass and taking names right now, but I expect the platoon split would prove troublesome if he were to take on lefties more regularly. Which raises a question—who would you actually want right now in the closer role if Street were traded? Or perhaps more important—who is more likely to be given the role? I’m guessing Embree would probably get it due to the fact that he served in the interim last season and acquitted himself fairly well. Plus, baseball is ridiculously deferential to veterans. Personally, I don’t know who’d I want with how shaky the whole bullpen (minus Zig) has been lately.

Ryan Sweeney: I probably irrationally embraced him before you did.

by Joey C. on Jul 14, 2008 12:43 PM PDT reply actions