At Least We Scored Three?
by baseballgirl on Jul 30, 2008 4:19 PM PDT
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PrintI think the problem with today’s game was the fact that the offense left 400,000 15 runners on base through ten innings. The A’s certainly had their chances to win it, and they toyed with us just a bit, as Crosby brought home the tying run to take the game to the tenth, but the bullpen couldn’t trade zeros forever (read: Street does not want to get traded tomorrow). The A’s eventually lost the game, and were swept for the first time in twenty years by the Royals at the Coliseum.
The highlight of the game was our very own Ziggy pitching three innings (recording 3 DPs) to take his scoreless streak to 30 IP, so congratulations there! I guess he can pitch three innings in a game. It’s too bad that he wasn’t used in a couple of different situations back when the A’s were looking to be only four games back. Remember those days? Those were also the days when the possible return of Frank Thomas this weekend would have made the team ecstatic, instead of the current feeling of ‘too little, too late’.
The problem wasn’t really the hitting today; the A’s recorded 13 hits, but they couldn’t deliver when it counted, no spot highlighted more than Bankston’s 0-5 with 8 left on base. His 0-fer negated the multi-hit game of Cust, Brown, Ellis, Hannahan, and Crosby. The A’s had a chance to score the fourth run of the game in the sixth, but Carlos Gonzalez was thrown out at the plate to end the inning. Despite being out by quite a bit, I think he absolutely should have been sent. When your team is struggling to get RBI hits the way the A’s are, you take the chances you are given and make the other team make plays. And the Royals did.
On the other side, Gallagher threw five innings of okay ball, and left trailing 3-2, but Ziegler bailed him out in the sixth, and stayed in for both the seventh and the eighth, while the A’s tied the game, and handed the ball over to Huston in the ninth. Huston pitched a scoreless ninth, but a leadoff walk led to the winning run in the tenth.
And so it goes. The A’s are swept by the Royals at home, and now must face Boston on the road. It will be interesting to keep an eye on the roster spots over the next 24 hours, and it would be nice if our team could manage to not embarrass itself in Fenway.
Here’s to a win in Boston!
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Give him time he's only 22. He'll get better, plus we got to get used to this.....
losing. This year was supposed to be a rebuilding year, wasn’t it? So, why not just reflect on the past and look forward to the future, which is going to be a bright out. With Smith, Gio, Gallagher, etc…..this is going to be very good team. Yeah, I know right now they are not playing right, but did we really expect any better with this line up? Not that I’m beating up on them, there are a few bright spots on this team. Hopefully, the A’s can just go above .500 this season. That would be beyond the expectations any of us had. It’s gonna be hard for us but we have to be patient. And oh by the way, I am impressed with Gallagher!
AHHHH! I left the stove on!!!
********OaKlAnDaThLeTiCs********
by LiZaRdReVoLuTiOn on Jul 30, 2008 4:26 PM PDT up reply actions
He has a 3.22 ERA in those 4 games, and with a better offense should be 3-1
He is doing fine. What are you expecting.
by theblackpearl on Jul 30, 2008 4:32 PM PDT up reply actions
I don't care about his record. that's not his fault, but this is the second game in a row
he’s given the lead up after the team scores some runs for him. I guess I’m expecting a pitcher who can hold a lead for more then an inning.
Wow 2 runs!!! Big Deal!!!
AHHHH! I left the stove on!!!
********OaKlAnDaThLeTiCs********
by LiZaRdReVoLuTiOn on Jul 30, 2008 4:34 PM PDT up reply actions
Shutdown innings are important, however. There is a point to that.
Last of the Ninth - Photography Site / jamesvenes.com - Blog
Plus he gave up 4 unearned runs last start
So he hasn’t pitched great since his first start – but at least what he’s doing is how rebuilding is SUPPOSED to go, which is you accept some disappointing performances while young, talented guys who will be good figure it out. Which is not what happens when Conrad, and Bankston, and Emil Brown hit.
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
important sure
but please to be demonstrating that its a repeatable skill that a pitcher has control over.
Can't get enough of the Oakland A's? Visit Oaktown Awesomer's
Are you suggesting a pitcher has no control over when he allows runs?
None at all?
Last of the Ninth - Photography Site / jamesvenes.com - Blog
I would say it's precisely when he has no control
that he allows runs!
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
Being an A's fan warps expectations.
I’ll bet we’re the only fan base where 3.22 ERA is considered lousy and .750 OPS is considered fabulous.
"Dispatch knuckleheadedness with Bond-like aplomb." –74mk
In fairness, though, he hasn't actually been "3.22" good
Last start, 5 runs (1 ER) and couldn’t hold a 5-0 lead. Today, only gave the A’s 5 IP, with 3 BB and 3 ER.
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
I posted this at the end of the game thread, but probably no one saw it.
by John Perrotto [of Baseball Prospectus]
“Multipe baseball sources say the Red Sox are on the verge of sending disgrunted left fielder Manny Ramirez to the Marlins in a trade for a package of three players that included low Class A Greensboro outfielder Mike Stanton, an 18-year-old who is hitting .275/.351/.569 with 26 home runs in 96 games.”
We might be seeing a different Red Sox team this weekend.
http://www.baseballprospectus.com/unfiltered/?p=965
[Crosby] "Guy that has driven in some big runs for the A's over the years"
That's been on ESPN for about 3 hours but thanks for the detailed info! :)
AHHHH! I left the stove on!!!
********OaKlAnDaThLeTiCs********
by LiZaRdReVoLuTiOn on Jul 30, 2008 4:27 PM PDT up reply actions
Why? It makes sense to me.
[Crosby] "Guy that has driven in some big runs for the A's over the years"
by WaddellCanseco on Jul 30, 2008 4:35 PM PDT up reply actions
because this seems to happen every year. I don't know, maybe it will actually
happen, but I will be shocked.
I've never heard where "multiple baseball sources" said the same specific trade
before though.
[Crosby] "Guy that has driven in some big runs for the A's over the years"
by WaddellCanseco on Jul 30, 2008 4:37 PM PDT up reply actions
As soon as Manny's gone, Bay will be in left the next day.
by theblackpearl on Jul 30, 2008 4:37 PM PDT up reply actions
Manny 0-1 tonight. They'd have to do a Blankenship.
[Crosby] "Guy that has driven in some big runs for the A's over the years"
by WaddellCanseco on Jul 30, 2008 5:06 PM PDT up reply actions
Who are they bringing up?
AHHHH! I left the stove on!!!
********OaKlAnDaThLeTiCs********
by LiZaRdReVoLuTiOn on Jul 30, 2008 4:27 PM PDT up reply actions
I imagine...
one spot is for Frank Thomas. Listening to post game now. I will let you know if they say.
30 and counting...
Alrighty.
AHHHH! I left the stove on!!!
********OaKlAnDaThLeTiCs********
by LiZaRdReVoLuTiOn on Jul 30, 2008 4:29 PM PDT up reply actions
David Forst says...
no corresponding moves at this time, but they intend on activating Big Hurt for Friday. Going to “take a look at Sacramento for the next two days”.
30 and counting...
I'm crossing my fingers for Buck, but that might be asking to much, right?
AHHHH! I left the stove on!!!
********OaKlAnDaThLeTiCs********
by LiZaRdReVoLuTiOn on Jul 30, 2008 4:33 PM PDT up reply actions
Or maybe there is a trade brewing....
and they’re leaving that spot open. Just in case…
30 and counting...
Ahhh.......the tension!!
AHHHH! I left the stove on!!!
********OaKlAnDaThLeTiCs********
by LiZaRdReVoLuTiOn on Jul 30, 2008 4:35 PM PDT up reply actions
Forst's denying it the best he can right now.
[Crosby] "Guy that has driven in some big runs for the A's over the years"
by WaddellCanseco on Jul 30, 2008 4:35 PM PDT up reply actions
He hasn't played much lately, he might still be hurt. He hasn't played the last
4 days.
by theblackpearl on Jul 30, 2008 4:35 PM PDT up reply actions
I don't think so. They haven't reported anything.
AHHHH! I left the stove on!!!
********OaKlAnDaThLeTiCs********
by LiZaRdReVoLuTiOn on Jul 30, 2008 4:36 PM PDT up reply actions
Minor's don't report injuries as readily as the pro's. Injury would be the only
reason to take 4 days off, when you are struggling, unless it was a personal reason.
by theblackpearl on Jul 30, 2008 4:39 PM PDT up reply actions
Whereas Murton is merely unconscious,
putting him slightly ahead on the OF “depth chart”.
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
Yeah, but Travis is ahead on the "death chart".
Mark Ellis: sent down from Heaven to rob Evil of hits and hand out rainbows
Listed as "eternity-to-eternity" no doubt
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
Think they are going back to Barton. Is he eligible yet?
by theblackpearl on Jul 30, 2008 4:40 PM PDT up reply actions
He's eligible
but the last report I saw said he was still hurting and expected to be in Sacto for several more days.
"May a nit suck Cajun geese?" wonders Red. No, we see gnu Jack Cust in a yam.
Looking at River Cat stats, their best hitter is....Donnie Murphy!
[Crosby] "Guy that has driven in some big runs for the A's over the years"
by WaddellCanseco on Jul 30, 2008 5:05 PM PDT up reply actions
Well, They could bring up Doolittle to play first. Give him a look since we aren't in the race anymore.
"Whether you think you can, or you think you can't, either way, YOU'RE RIGHT !"
Cust and Thomas up the middle -
“Turnin’ two!!!”
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
With Patterson going back to AAA that means Ellis is still going to be with us for the rest of the year.
Thomas is coming up on Friday but who is the last spot for? Do we have anyone else down there who can play 3rd and 1st cause we only have Hanndyhands now.
"Whether you think you can, or you think you can't, either way, YOU'RE RIGHT !"
Must mean Barton is coming back
Maybe his neck suddenly feels better. Or he’s diving into water these days.
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
I can see that.. Between the two of them.. promising to beat up anyone who gets to second.
Big Hurt could give a really Big Hurt.!
"Whether you think you can, or you think you can't, either way, YOU'RE RIGHT !"
Patterson looked overmatched by fastballs,
a la Hannahan. But unlike Hannahan, he’s supposed to be able to hit them.
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
Maybe Barton is due to come back as well.
"With 16-year-old Dominican righty Michel Inoa in tow, Gio Gonzalez improving at Triple-A and lefty Brett Anderson carving up Double-Abatters along with Simmons and Trevor Cahill, Oakland’s pitching depthis officially the envy of baseball." - BaseballAmerica.com
I doubt it
just the other day it was reported he was still feeling stiffness in the neck, no reason to rush him either. i would guess petit
Gone from good....
to bad in a matter of weeks I know we have made changes and have some injuries but this team has no heart they have given up as have many of the fans. Going to be a long 2nd 1/2 would be great if we could get someone to pick up Street and Crosby and even better if we could dumb Chavez what a bum he is no heart !
ChrisB
Put em up Put em up
I’ll muderize you….
Can Magic Sprinkles Now!!! @('.')@
by Leopold Bloom on Jul 30, 2008 5:18 PM PDT up reply actions
you'll trade me to the Cardinals, or have me abducted by ETs?
Worse than being dead is being hot. @('.')@
again, no sleep...
Can Magic Sprinkles Now!!! @('.')@
by Leopold Bloom on Jul 30, 2008 6:59 PM PDT up reply actions
It is probably not Geren's fault, but the A's came out of the ASB last year
and sucked, and have done the same this year. The Howe, and Macha A’s had a lot of injuries too, but I wonder if all his optimism, needs to be a little fire.
This team looks more like a 2010-2011 team to me as the season goes on
I like alot of the A’s young players but I just cant think of a scenerio where the A’s are going to be better in 2009 then 2008. Unless Beane makes 2-3 huge FA moves in the off season which I highly doubt. Alot of young players and very little power in the lineup is going to make for a few tough years to be an A’s fan. However, I do like to watch the young guys develope and keep an eye on some of the guys in the minors.
by asfaninpismobeach on Jul 30, 2008 4:36 PM PDT reply actions
Hmmm...let's see....
Barton, Carlos and Cunningham over Emil should be an improvement.
I have a hard time seeing Suzuki, Ryan, and 2B being better though. No solutions in sight for SS and 3B.
Starting pitching could be good if Simmons, Cahill and Anderson come up and Gio and Gallagher do well, but it’s been good this year too.
Bullpen could be better or worse.
You may be right. But I’m hoping not.
[Crosby] "Guy that has driven in some big runs for the A's over the years"
by WaddellCanseco on Jul 30, 2008 4:44 PM PDT up reply actions
I can see why Bankston is gone
but why Patterson? He played in two games right? sorry I barely have watched 2 ininings this week.
You have to include smiley faces - Poppy
;- ) :- ) :-O : -> : -] : -}
yea very confusing...
why call him up at all unless he’s supposed to stay up for a while? makes me think a move will be made which forces him down
Or he's part of a trade
[Crosby] "Guy that has driven in some big runs for the A's over the years"
by WaddellCanseco on Jul 30, 2008 4:50 PM PDT up reply actions
So he doesn't pack to go to Boston?
I actually have no idea.
[Crosby] "Guy that has driven in some big runs for the A's over the years"
by WaddellCanseco on Jul 30, 2008 5:01 PM PDT up reply actions
Maybe, but that's not how I operate. I pack during the last 10 mins before leaving
for the airport. As I said it defies explanation. Rotoworld is speculating Barton might be ready on Friday.
[Crosby] "Guy that has driven in some big runs for the A's over the years"
by WaddellCanseco on Jul 30, 2008 5:54 PM PDT up reply actions
And Geren said he had nothing more to prove in AAA, and he'd be the starting LF until further notice
Something seems afoot.
[Crosby] "Guy that has driven in some big runs for the A's over the years"
by WaddellCanseco on Jul 30, 2008 4:49 PM PDT up reply actions
yeah. Even if it was a trade, he is on the 40 man already, so it wouldn't matter if he was on
the major league roster or not. They must have seen enough already.
by theblackpearl on Jul 30, 2008 4:52 PM PDT up reply actions
that would surprise me
if they decided they’d seen enough, especially with geren’s comment that he’d be getting more starts. i know i havent seen enough of him to decide yet
The A's recent moves have an air of knee-jerk desperation:
“Murton? Yes! No! Patterson? Yes, no, yes – NO! We have no idea!!!”
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
boy, they sure do
I’ve never gone in for the “Beane = Deep Blue” arguments before, but the last couple of weeks with the shuttling of the srubeenies have been … odd.
Worse than being dead is being hot. @('.')@
kind of like the way we react
bring bankston back up! now he stinks! patterson deserves a shot! patterson deserves to be shot!
Pretty much - the A's are acting as dumb as we do
Why, Billy, why? Don’t you know well enough to completely ignore us????
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
Um, I actually ordered the soup...?
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
A blowout?
8-2, Brute?
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
Booooo!
They want to steal the land papers which is why they have tried to break in. But they had to give up after being bitten by Chhotu.
by FreeSeatUpgrade on Jul 30, 2008 8:30 PM PDT up reply actions
BTW
I am so tired of not having a dependable hitter with power. Who was the last guy to hit 30+ HR’s for the A’s. Swisher & Thomas is 06? Cust hit 25 last year and it’s possible to reach 30 this year but he isn’t exactly dependable. (unless your talking about K’s and BB’s)
trade for some power, please!!
You have to include smiley faces - Poppy
;- ) :- ) :-O : -> : -] : -}
Power is not cheap, look at Texiera, he is looking for 20Mill per year, and anyone who has it, isn't
letting go very easily.
by theblackpearl on Jul 30, 2008 4:54 PM PDT up reply actions
amazingly, like the
pre-steroids era. I wonder what has changed…
Can Magic Sprinkles Now!!! @('.')@
by Leopold Bloom on Jul 30, 2008 5:19 PM PDT up reply actions
The Harden Trade and the Collapse - Shocking Coincidence
Would those who argued two weeks ago that the Harden trade did not signify that the A’s were giving up, and in fact sought to maintain that the Harden trade would help the A’s win the division this year, please post a comment and let the rest of us know if they still hold that view, and that the complete collapse since the Harden trade like the similarly concomitant collapse of the club following last year’s DFA of Bradley is just an astonishing coincidence?
(As for Patterson … I only saw him play twice, too. Small sample size but man he looked awful. Kind of Willie Wilson-style slap at the ball and hope it hits a crease in the astroturf type swing. That won’t work real well at the Coliseum.)
Actually, what decimated our offense
was DFA’ing Milton Bradley last June.
"Dispatch knuckleheadedness with Bond-like aplomb." –74mk
What probably most decimated our offense in 2008
was Frank Thomas sliding into home plate to try to score a random run in May. I can’t believe he/the A’s would let that happen.
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
I remember that like it was yesterday
and thought, after the tweak…good gawd all that running of the rejuvenated Big Hurt this can’t be true, what gives? well, parts of his leg gave. finis
alaska A
The big difference is, the A's still need hitters, and Harden is a pitcher, who pitches at most every
5 games, and Gallagher, who has pitched in the place of Harden, has kept the A’s in every game he has pitched. The A’s still have no Bradley to get them the extra runs they need. Unless you believe they have psychologically quit, and aren’t trying as hard.
by theblackpearl on Jul 30, 2008 5:01 PM PDT up reply actions
I do think psychologically it has to be hard on the team. I think they are still out there giving 100%
but it has to hurt a team mentally when your GM starts trading away your best players and throwing in the towel for the year.
I don't think they have psychologically quit,
but I do think the trades deflated the team’s “Little Engine That Could” mentality which, coupled with the absurdly bad lineup, makes for a 2-10 team that looks 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
they're young
so i think the psychology has played into it largely. that and huston street, including geren realizing 2 weeks too late that ziegler for 2-3 innings is better than street for any.
then again, what was predicted in february? 70-80 wins? i’d say, big picture, things are looking ok. however, losing our status as the upstarts of the AL really hurts. we were so close… who knows, 20-game win streak in august? maybe we can bring in tejada for the month??!
I'll blame it on Street's poor performance, and even more specifically
on the game prior to the All Star break he blew against the Angels. He just straight kills us.
by 33SwisherSweet on Jul 30, 2008 5:04 PM PDT up reply actions
The root beer was sweet
but then i had to drink from the bitter cup of remorse – not because of the mildly interesting game or its mildly disappointing outcome, but because after joining in the mockery of the dot race colors i discovered that my sweet hookup for free tickets was in the dot race corporate box!
"...in baseball you wear a cap." -- george carlin
ok
i’ll bite again. i dont know how many people argued the harden trade would help us win the division this year, thats pretty hard to imagine. most were insisting that this trade would help in the future. as for your point about a “collapse”, harden has made 3 starts since being traded. granted, he’s dominated in those 3 starts, but thats just 3 wins we could be missing. i dont agree that 1 player is capable of shifting an entire team from contenders to complete losers. especially when the problem is hitting
It only made sense to keep Harden if you had no worries about his health
and you believed the offense was good enough to win this year. Who here believed both of those things?
[Crosby] "Guy that has driven in some big runs for the A's over the years"
by WaddellCanseco on Jul 30, 2008 5:03 PM PDT up reply actions
The A's were going to collapse either way,
because they were over-achieving, their lineup is bad, and Harden probably won’t stay healthy. They are just tanking more, faster, due to the trades, but not only because of.
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
I'll buy "the A's were gonna fall out of contention either way,"
but the abject collapse we’re seeing now was surely abetted by the Blanton and harden white flags. And given the reasonable conventional wisdom that a healthy effective harden was the A’s only possibility for contending into August, it is equally reasonable to ascribe some part of the collapse to the ruthless elimination of said possibility. Duke appears to think so, and I bet he ain’t the only one.
They want to steal the land papers which is why they have tried to break in. But they had to give up after being bitten by Chhotu.
by FreeSeatUpgrade on Jul 30, 2008 5:56 PM PDT up reply actions
Exactly - Duke is safe enough to speak up
No doubt he verbalized the frustration felt throughout the clubhouse. That doesn’t mean the A’s were wrong to make those trades, but it does tell me that the level of collapse is not coincidental.
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
well, it's a good thing Duke wasn't listening to you before the season
Worse than being dead is being hot. @('.')@
You could replace "Duke" with anyone and usually be right about that
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
Ouch!
Anyone who’d listened and bet according to me last year would’ve won big vis the A’s season. And if they manage to go 21-34 the rest of the way out this year, that’ll be true this time too.
They want to steal the land papers which is why they have tried to break in. But they had to give up after being bitten by Chhotu.
by FreeSeatUpgrade on Jul 30, 2008 6:20 PM PDT up reply actions
Hmm...To go 21-34 they'll have to
score at least 21 runs. I don’t see that happening.
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
Ah, see, that's the fiendishness of hope
Before the season when we all forecast gloom these trades wouldn’t have felt nearly as ruthless. It’s only after ones hopes get raised that it stings, perhaps as much or more for a player than for a mere fan.
They want to steal the land papers which is why they have tried to break in. But they had to give up after being bitten by Chhotu.
by FreeSeatUpgrade on Jul 30, 2008 6:25 PM PDT up reply actions
Well, I am hawt
But the best local comp for Britney has to be Alan Embree: Hit Me Baby One More Time.
They want to steal the land papers which is why they have tried to break in. But they had to give up after being bitten by Chhotu.
by FreeSeatUpgrade on Jul 30, 2008 11:30 PM PDT up reply actions
Or it was by trotting worse players than Hannahan out there on a regular basis
While also trotting Hannahan out there.
Can't get enough of the Oakland A's? Visit Oaktown Awesomer's
Fair enough ...
But the fact is that there were LOTS of people on AN who said exactly that, which is one of the reasons i was such a jerk at the time, making sure to ask, again and again: are you serious? and also asking ANers if they had ever played competitive ball and had experienced a loss like the Harden giveaway. Now that let’s face it my contention that “Billy has quit” has been vindicated, I’m just trying to see if anybody is willing to say, “yeah, you know what: Billy has quit on the 2008 season.”
I agree that the main problem is hitting – no question. But if the A’s had wanted to win this year they either wouldn’t have traded Harden or they would have traded Harden for somebody who could hit.
I continue to believe that Billy traded Harden to make the club better down the line. I also continue to believe that it was a bad trade, that Murton and Patterson are not big league ball players, and that I’d rather have Harden than Gallagher. Given Harden’s injury history, and Billy’s trading history, the likelihood that I’m wrong and the A’s will come to see the trade as a good one is reasonably high. But the “things are getting better and better every day” crowd was just too much after the Harden trade. And, for that matter, every time I carp again about the Bradley DFA, people just balk.
Well, first of all I hold the opinion
that Billy gave up on 2008 even before the Harden trade and would have dealt Harden and/or Blanton whenever the opportunity arose. He could see the roster and the health issues and see the A’s weren’t going anywhere in 2008.
The Bradley situation is completely different. Bradley is all lovey-dovey his first season with a new team, then wears out his welcome and sits with owies, real, imagined, or both. If you believe in the “clubhouse” factor with this team then you should support the trade of Bradley in 2007. Because by the time he was traded, Bradley didn’t even have Swisher’s support. And like Harden, he can’t help you when he doesn’t play.
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
The term I object to is "gave up on".
Making a trade designed to help in 2009-10, while possibly making you worse in 2008 isn’t the same as “giving up on” 2008.
Trading Haren was designed to help down the road, but also helped in 2008. Ditto trading Mulder. Swisher trade has been a slight loss in 2008, but Gio could reasonably have been expected to help a little and still might. Harden trade might help in 2008 if Gallagher remains good and Patterson and Murton either play better or a traded for something better. Kotsay for Devine clearly could have been helped in 2008.
Nobody ever “gives up” on any season, or for that matter on anything else. It’s way too negative a way to look at long term planning.
[Crosby] "Guy that has driven in some big runs for the A's over the years"
by WaddellCanseco on Jul 30, 2008 7:36 PM PDT up reply actions
I'd even argue that the Swisher trade
has helped in 2008, in that Swisher is hitting .228 with only moderate power (in a hitter’s park) and R. Sweeney .300 with speed and a .400 RISP ledger (in a pitcher’s park).
But certainly, in dealing Harden and Blanton, the A’s decided to take their 7% chance (or whatever) of staying in the race and turn it into a 0.1% chance, in order to continue rebuilding.
I think the biggest frustration – and it’s certainly mine – is the trading of two more pitchers and still no one as high as AA who looks like a possibility to play SS or 3B. (Though I do love Cardenas and he could be a 3B solution eventually.)
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
I guess it depends on how much you like Blanton for the rest of the year
and whether you think Outman can contribute this year. On Harden, it’s really a question of how much you like Gallagher now, how confident you are in Harden’s health and whether you think Patterson and Murton can be useful pieces either to use or to trade.
The Harden trade has a lot more 2008 potential value in it than the Blanton trade for sure.
[Crosby] "Guy that has driven in some big runs for the A's over the years"
by WaddellCanseco on Jul 30, 2008 9:47 PM PDT up reply actions
Bradley quickly wore out any welcome and good will he had here after his first season.
I had thought by now this was obvious, but I guess not.
Last of the Ninth - Photography Site / jamesvenes.com - Blog
What the H! We go to Fenway now?!
Who the hell is planning this stuff!?
shakes fist at Baseball God’s
I'm sure Braden and Eveland will pitch great at Fenway
Lefties usually enjoy pitching there.
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
Oh, it only gets better
The remainder of our schedule is horrific.
Can Magic Sprinkles Now!!! @('.')@
by Leopold Bloom on Jul 30, 2008 5:30 PM PDT up reply actions
What more can be said about Brad Ziegler at this point?
I got a nice ticket on Stubhub today in 117, row 15 (3rd row behind Diamond Level) for a little under face with all the fees included, and I get a text from a buddy saying “Maybe your boy will get the win today” before adding what section he’s in, since we planned to talk for an inning or two. I wrote back “Some runs would be nice. I’ll come over after he’s finished.”
Here I figure after his second inning and second double play that’s it for him, so I head over to 121. What do we get but a THIRD inning from Ziggy and a THIRD double play. I need to look up how many double plays have been turned with him on the mound. That’s also now just 4 of 18 inherited runners allowed to score (22.2%), including 1 of his last 12.
As for the rest of the game, yawn. Even when they get a lot of hits they find ways not to score. Ugly.
Last of the Ninth - Photography Site / jamesvenes.com - Blog
at least someone finally recognized
on a national level.
Rob Neyer chimes in (subscription required)
http://insider.espn.go.com/espn/blog/index?entryID=3511488&name=Neyer_Rob
"Lefty relievers are like the different Mountain Dew flavors. New ones keep appearing, and people are willing to buy, but in the end most of them suck." - Gallagher's Watermelons
by scatterbrian on Jul 30, 2008 5:26 PM PDT up reply actions
1988
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
Hmm. I would have assumed inpatient
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
Wow - LAA 3-0 over BOS in the 5th
If the Red Sox lose, TB will have a 4 game lead on both BOS and NYY and the Twins could lead the WC.
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
if there's no trade, i think i understand these moves
patterson was gonna get the starts until thomas finished a rehab assignment, but thomas didnt want to rehab, so cust has to move back to left field to make room. as for bankston, rotoworld speculates that barton will be ready by fri and maybe he can go 1-20 and greatly improve our offense over bankston
And only leave 7 on base?
Color me excited!
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
i imagine
a “rookie of the year” scenario where barton comes back and his neck now has a super fast jerking motion which allows him to watch strike 3 go by at an incredible rate
Cliff Lee's getting lit up a bit
(5 IP, 10 hits, 6 ER), putting Duke back in the ERA lead.
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
Yay day between starts!
[Crosby] "Guy that has driven in some big runs for the A's over the years"
by WaddellCanseco on Jul 30, 2008 6:00 PM PDT up reply actions
A Sweep of the Red Sox
That would be a nice birthday present for Monday.
All Games and Comments are Subject to Blackout
According to Chronicle it may be Barton coming back up
Thomas indicated that he expects to be activated in time for Friday’s game in Boston. The moves the A’s made after Wednesday’s 4-3 loss indicated that as well. Eric Patterson and Wes Bankston were optioned to Triple-A Sacramento before the team left town, presumably to make roster room for Thomas and Daric Barton, who has been on the DL with a neck strain.
I hate unproductive outs and the A's are producing them at record production
Good thing Patterson has nothing to prove in AAA
“You have nothing to prove, Eric – now prove 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
He has to prove he has nothing to prove?
[Crosby] "Guy that has driven in some big runs for the A's over the years"
by WaddellCanseco on Jul 30, 2008 7:37 PM PDT up reply actions
Much like Bankston:
“Hey you were doing ok in the Majors…..so, erm, go back to Sac for a few days. Ta.”
This is just random ranting
but one day we’re going to have to pay and keep someone like Jermaine Dye … or Jose Guillen … or Milton Bradley … injuries be damned, because we haven’t had an outfielder that can hit since the friggin’ Reagan administration.
Oh, but we have a happy clubhouse. What a f* joke.
I needed a team so I wouldn’t turn into one of the eighty million pink hat-wearing Bud Light-drinking mulleted idiots at Fenway.
If it makes you feel better, the clubhouse doesn't seem all that happy right now
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
Well,
swept by the Royals.
They’re not alone in abject misery, either.
Can Magic Sprinkles Now!!! @('.')@
by Leopold Bloom on Jul 30, 2008 7:01 PM PDT up reply actions
uh, one of those days, we *did* pay and keep someone very, very, very much like Jermaine Dye ...
... injuries be damned.
Worse than being dead is being hot. @('.')@
I don't know how founded these rumors are,
but ESPN is talking about a three-way deal with Boston, Florida, and Pittsburgh to send Manny to Florida and Bay to Boston. Can’t the A’s get in there and nab Bay? We can give Florida OUR big right-handed power hitter!!!! (Wes Bankston? Emil Brown? Bobbilicious Crostastic? Stomper?)
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
Well....
Will Carroll of Baseball Prospectus says the Red Sox, Pirates and Marlins have agreed to a three-team Manny Ramirez deal, pending Ramirez waiving his no-trade clause and league approval.
Red Sox getting Jason Bay and John Grabow; the Marlins acquiring Ramirez, cash and a prospect from the Red Sox and the Pirates picking up Jeremy Hermida, two prospects from the Marlins and one from Boston.
Bring back Hammer.
by OaktownPower on Jul 30, 2008 7:39 PM PDT up reply actions
I want Bay
{pouts}
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
Bay to the Red Sox makes a lot of sense. I don't get the Marlins wanting
Manny badly enough to give up Hermida, Tucker and two prospects though. Unless the extra prospect from Boston is Buchholz or Lowrie or something. In that case Boston got a raw deal. Pittsburgh seems to be coming out the best in this.
[Crosby] "Guy that has driven in some big runs for the A's over the years"
by WaddellCanseco on Jul 30, 2008 9:51 PM PDT up reply actions
Will Carroll says the same thing, but says they're still haggling over prospects
[Crosby] "Guy that has driven in some big runs for the A's over the years"
by WaddellCanseco on Jul 30, 2008 7:41 PM PDT up reply actions
By the way, after a quick check (thanks, Baseball Reference gamelogs!)...
...Ziggy’s got a double play 10 times.
Last of the Ninth - Photography Site / jamesvenes.com - Blog
In an effort to find something good *g*...
One bright spot about today was raising $30,000 for JDRF. :)
"Baseball, it is said, is only a game. True. And the Grand Canyon is only a hole in Arizona. Not all games and holes are created equal." --George F. Will
Ziegler
was a beast and Street was not! God, I hate Street so much now!
The Time Is Now! Win Warriors Win!
Me too, but I'd never trade him unless I got three top propects in return!
Or I’d just DFA and release him. I’m not sure which.
[Crosby] "Guy that has driven in some big runs for the A's over the years"
by WaddellCanseco on Jul 30, 2008 9:49 PM PDT up reply actions
just curious
Is Street’s entrance music still Nas -“Hate me Now”?
by SwisherThresher on Jul 30, 2008 10:11 PM PDT up reply actions
Yep
"Baseball, it is said, is only a game. True. And the Grand Canyon is only a hole in Arizona. Not all games and holes are created equal." --George F. Will
by anomaly_kat on Jul 30, 2008 10:39 PM PDT up reply actions
Ziggy and Blevins
Between Ziggy and Blevins the two have given up only 1 run in 43 innings. That means if they could just pitch every game, then other teams would only score against the A’s about once or twice a week. (Insert joke here about what that would mean won/lost wise given the A’s hitting.)
Funny thing about that is the run charged to Blevins was the inherited runner Ziggy let score on Friday.
But both have provided some excellent pitching so far this season. I like the idea of them sticking around here.
Last of the Ninth - Photography Site / jamesvenes.com - Blog
If Huston stays then...
If Street is still on the team after today do they take him out of the closer role and put in Ziggy? It would be the right thing to do and save the A’s money come arbitration time.
Devine maybe, Ziggy no
Ziggy and Blevins make for an excellent set-up combo to go with another solid pitcher like Street. Ziggy in the closer role would not give Geren the flexibility he needs to use Ziggy to peak advantage.
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
Agreed
If they save Ziggy for the closer role now, he’s not going to get many chances to pitch regularly.
As it is they’ve already reached the point with him where he’s only used in close games. If you can get a couple innings from him and then have the chance to use Street (or Devine) then you take your chances with them for now. That’s not to say Ziggy won’t eventually close, because they could try him there in some situations.
Last of the Ninth - Photography Site / jamesvenes.com - Blog
The one time I would let him close is when
he pitches the 8th anyway, and looks especially “lights out” – I think managers would do well to notice when certain relievers are especially on their game (or not on their game) and factor that into letting a reliever go longer or shorter. Relievers really do bring different levels of “A game” and “B game” to the mound, especially with factors like how much they have or haven’t worked recently. But a bullpen with Street and Devine backed by Ziggy and Blevins, with Casilla pushed back a bit for now, could be outstanding.
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
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