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Around SBN: Ellenberger vs. Sanchez Heats Up, Hughes Talks Retirement

DLD, 8/22/08: Thomas gone next year; A's could have had Bay?!

The A's need some bats this off season...

And it won't be Frank Thomas or Mike Sweeney

Oh, there's a big surprise. That's an incredible... I think I'm going to have a heart attack and die, from that surprise.

Alan Embree thinks he only pitches well in odd numbered years.

Now maybe we can get him to throw firecrackers at people and spray Susan Slusser with bleach, we might get a couple Cy Youngs from him too.

And Billy Beane feels our angst. And here I thought he was just a sadist enjoying our pain. Why do I feel when Beane talks about his long term goals, it's like Vladimir Putin talking about Russia's withdrawal from Georgia?

A's could have had Jason Bay

How would the season have looked today if we kept Harden and made that deal huh?

 

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Well, it's a start right?

He’s signed up through next year too isn’t he? I just don’t know if the A’s will get any better bats this off season then that. And with the glut of pitching we have, isn’t Mazzaro a small price to pay?

by petitceebee on Aug 22, 2008 4:41 PM PDT up reply actions  

Someone's gotta have Insider

The monster at the end of this blog.

by grover on Aug 22, 2008 5:09 PM PDT up reply actions  

it just said mazzaro and others

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

by brenarlo on Aug 23, 2008 10:21 AM PDT up reply actions  

Angels...

it doesn’t really matter who we get when we are in the same division as the Angels. If we need to rebuild, which we do, why delay this rebuilding process by keeping stars that won’t be part of the rebuild. All keeping Harden would have done was delay this rebuilding process and in turn make us worse of in the long run.

by mattman on Aug 22, 2008 6:42 PM PDT up reply actions  

I believe so.

I don’t believe that the Harden & Blanton trades significantly weakened the team, but I do believe they sucked the enthusiasm from the team, and a Bay acquisition would’ve nipped the negative feelings in the bud, and probably even encouraged them.

"If I've got baggage, he's got a whole set of Louis Vuitton." ~ Milton Bradley on Barry Bonds

by UncleLeo on Aug 23, 2008 7:29 PM PDT up reply actions  

Alright Insiders...

What was the rest of the package for Bay? Mazzaro was one piece, the Pirates ended up with 4 guys once they dealt Bay to Boston.

The monster at the end of this blog.

by grover on Aug 22, 2008 4:42 PM PDT reply actions  

I would assume it's the same type of minor league filler

the A’s got back from Chicago and Philly. One good piece and a couple or three Murtons

by petitceebee on Aug 22, 2008 4:45 PM PDT up reply actions  

Pirates got better then that

Hansen may border on “throw-in” but several teams consider Moss and LaRoche to be at least solid-average regulars in the Show. I think LaRoche will end up better then that. Bryan Morris and Mazzaro might be comps, but that still leaves two major chips to play.

The monster at the end of this blog.

by grover on Aug 22, 2008 4:51 PM PDT up reply actions  

Huh?

The monster at the end of this blog.

by grover on Aug 22, 2008 5:05 PM PDT up reply actions  

I mean

BB gets all the accolades of every GM out there then why did Littleton get such a good deal for Bay while we got fleeced for Harden?

by petitceebee on Aug 22, 2008 5:19 PM PDT up reply actions  

You are in serious need of an attitude adjustment

1st off, the Pirates GM is Neal Huntington and has been since Sep. 2007.

More importantly, Harden had nowhere near the trade value that Jason Bay had. No matter how talented a player is if a team can’t count on him actually playing he loses value. Beane sold short on Harden, I’ve argued that from the beginning. Harden was having some health issues and Beane was worried that if he didn’t Sell right then he’d lose any chance of getting a solid return. As it turns out, Harden was healthy and if Beane had been willing to roll the dice he probably could have gotten a better package two weeks later.

The flip side to that is if Harden had hit the DL while on Oakland’s roster, or had even missed a start or two, Beane could forget about making a deal that landed him a big league ready SP like Gallagher. It was a tough call either way.

Now it’s my turn to ask the questions. Why are you cherry picking with the Harden trade vs. Bay? Why not suck it up and use the Blanton deal as your frame of referrence? That’s a trade that is showing instant gratification for the A’s organization. Outman, Spencer and Cardenas are all playing well, so well in fact that Outman and Cardenas have earned promotions.

But no, you’d rather choose to take the easy shot and wail about the Harden trade. I got news for you bub…

I’m back in teeth-kicking mode.

You want to keep playing, bring something better. I’d start with getting the names of the characters right.

The monster at the end of this blog.

by grover on Aug 22, 2008 5:54 PM PDT up reply actions  

I've missed you

"Their batters are patient to the point that it's annoying." -Ryan Franklin

by Helloooo 1st on Aug 22, 2008 6:19 PM PDT up reply actions  

I doubt that

You just missed the quality bloodshed that I tend to leave in my wake.

The monster at the end of this blog.

by grover on Aug 22, 2008 6:51 PM PDT up reply actions  

I always think of you as a chum

… p

There were a lot of stupid, long confusing words that I’m sure normal people don’t use. @('.')@

by monkeyball on Aug 22, 2008 7:40 PM PDT up reply actions  

< dumps mb into shark infested waters >

A's v Giants "is kind of like the difference between going to see the Ramones and going to see the Bee Gees. A's fans will go see the Ramones." -BB 07/27/05

by xbhaskarx on Aug 22, 2008 7:46 PM PDT up reply actions  

You're all tail & heart & poo

Someone should find an industrial sized blender and make the ultimate in all natural smoothie out of you.

The monster at the end of this blog.

by grover on Aug 22, 2008 8:47 PM PDT up reply actions  

Souper Monk-o-matic.

The meaning of life is not so much 'found,' as it is 'made.' --Opus

by The Dogfather on Aug 23, 2008 6:08 AM PDT up reply actions  

The meaning of life is not so much 'found,' as it is 'made.' --Opus

by The Dogfather on Aug 23, 2008 2:37 PM PDT up reply actions  

Brilliant!

I’m a little ashamed that I forgot about the Bass-o-matic

The monster at the end of this blog.

by grover on Aug 23, 2008 9:04 AM PDT up reply actions  

Well

AN’s been a little stuffed with mindless naysayers of late and the two people, yourself and PaulThomas, who make it their business to utterly destroy said naysayers have been recently absent.

"Their batters are patient to the point that it's annoying." -Ryan Franklin

by Helloooo 1st on Aug 22, 2008 9:44 PM PDT up reply actions  

you are correct

where is PT?

"If you hit .440 with 20 bombs, you don't have to do s---. You don't have to bring a glove to practice, just hit and leave whenever you want. You can bring a 40 and smoke a cigarette and call me from the parking lot asking me what time the game is, and I'll tell you. You can even say 'F--- you, Steve!' Actually, don't say that, that wouldn't be very nice." -Steve Friend, Head Coach, Chabot College Gladiators Baseball

by flipgatey3 on Aug 22, 2008 9:48 PM PDT up reply actions  

Shytting bricks -- first week of law school.

The meaning of life is not so much 'found,' as it is 'made.' --Opus

by The Dogfather on Aug 23, 2008 6:05 AM PDT up reply actions  

AHH....

I’ve been asking the same thing. I never thought I would say it….but I miss him.

Course, now that you mention he’s getting royally schooled, I suddenly feel better!

"You may glory in a team triumphant, but you fall in love with a team in defeat."--The Boys of Summer

by alox on Aug 23, 2008 10:50 AM PDT up reply actions  

Yup. This week is less split-finger fastball,

and more


“carbolic smoke ball.”

/involuntary shudder

The meaning of life is not so much 'found,' as it is 'made.' --Opus

by The Dogfather on Aug 23, 2008 12:17 PM PDT up reply actions  

SIGN CARBOLIC NOW!!!

There were a lot of stupid, long confusing words that I’m sure normal people don’t use. @('.')@

by monkeyball on Aug 23, 2008 12:57 PM PDT up reply actions  

If only we'd offered that last $50K to his brother Justin.

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

by iglew on Aug 23, 2008 6:24 PM PDT up reply actions  

I thought he was avoiding AN in an attempt to avoid Olympic spoilage...

Interweaving, diverse, not to say conflictive emphases and a broad spectrum of items to form a dynamic exchange of parallel and self-eclipsing spatial and temporal zones.

by Poppy on Aug 23, 2008 2:32 PM PDT up reply actions  

do women know about spoilage?

There were a lot of stupid, long confusing words that I’m sure normal people don’t use. @('.')@

by monkeyball on Aug 23, 2008 10:15 PM PDT up reply actions  

It spoils?

I don’t know how you guys walk around with them…

"Camelot sure fell apart, didn't it?"-Steve McCatty

by 5Aces on Aug 23, 2008 10:23 PM PDT up reply actions  

Sorry, guys...

Olympics >>> A’s.

Particularly when it’s the suckin’ A’s, as they’ve been of late.

And as DF observes, I’m also starting law school, so the rate of posting will probably decline a little (not a lot, I’m sure I will still find plenty of time to waste here).

Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.

by PaulThomas on Aug 25, 2008 10:59 AM PDT up reply actions  

hey man

no one is arguing that the olympics are/were better than any a’s game of late.

best of luck with your studies, have fun.

"If you hit .440 with 20 bombs, you don't have to do s---. You don't have to bring a glove to practice, just hit and leave whenever you want. You can bring a 40 and smoke a cigarette and call me from the parking lot asking me what time the game is, and I'll tell you. You can even say 'F--- you, Steve!' Actually, don't say that, that wouldn't be very nice." -Steve Friend, Head Coach, Chabot College Gladiators Baseball

by flipgatey3 on Aug 25, 2008 6:44 PM PDT up reply actions  

I'd rather be in law school than have to watch the A's

Heck, I’d rather be sued.

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 Aug 25, 2008 7:02 PM PDT up reply actions  

I don't mind naysaying

Its the mindlessness that irks me.

The monster at the end of this blog.

by grover on Aug 22, 2008 9:50 PM PDT up reply actions  

grover isn’t mindless, but he is frequently a naysayer. maybe you’re confusing him with someone else?

A's v Giants "is kind of like the difference between going to see the Ramones and going to see the Bee Gees. A's fans will go see the Ramones." -BB 07/27/05

by xbhaskarx on Aug 22, 2008 10:50 PM PDT up reply actions  

I Agree

At the time the Harden trade was good, or at least ok. I kept seeing ANers screaming that we had to trade Harden even for a few bats and balls. BB rolled the dice and looks like the Cubs won as of now, but you never know long term. I think it will even out over the long haul.
Now Blanton was a good deal maybe even a great deal for us. If you look at all the deals BB has made in the last offseason and up till now I would say he did great.
I also don’t think he should have gone for Bay. I think he is looking for a young bat that he can control for a few years. He has some pieces that he can put together to get one in the offseason.
I also think that many here are underestimating the value for Mazzaro. Mazzaro is pitching very well and is still young. I would think that he is about even with Simmons.

"Whether you think you can, or you think you can't, either way, YOU'RE RIGHT !"

by Eastbayjim on Aug 22, 2008 6:22 PM PDT up reply actions  

Oops my bad about the Pirates GM

I guess I better be careful on this site from now on. It seems any mistakes on my part are going to lead to an eventual fist-fight

by petitceebee on Aug 22, 2008 6:22 PM PDT up reply actions  

POW

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 Aug 22, 2008 6:23 PM PDT up reply actions  

Not that I wouldn't welcome it

People often tell me I need an attitude adjustment but alas the anonymity of the internet allows me to lurk around cowardly and make bold statements and threats without any actual fear of repercussions

by petitceebee on Aug 22, 2008 6:26 PM PDT up reply actions  

there are repercussions

if people think you have no idea what you’re talking about and don’t value your half—-ed analysis, what’s the point of posting? it’s a tree falling in the woods situation.
also, huntington is the current pirates GM, dave littlefield was the pirates GM, i’m not sure who this littleton fellow is…

A's v Giants "is kind of like the difference between going to see the Ramones and going to see the Bee Gees. A's fans will go see the Ramones." -BB 07/27/05

by xbhaskarx on Aug 22, 2008 7:21 PM PDT up reply actions  

Attitude, accuracy, whatever

Just because someone else made a deal the A’s were in the running for only means that deal was more enticing to the team making the trade or the A’s didn’t want to give up whatever the Pirates were asking for. It has absolutely nothing to do with which team has the better GM and if you want to suggest the Pirates GM is better than Beane, you’re going to get ripped every way possible, deservedly so. That trade was completely different from the Harden one.

Last of the Ninth - Photography Site / jamesvenes.com - Blog

by Flashfire on Aug 22, 2008 7:45 PM PDT up reply actions  

If we're picking cherries

I pick the Haren trade.

In search of a new signature. Say something funny and you may see your comment here!

by DMOAS on Aug 22, 2008 9:33 PM PDT up reply actions  

Agreed on Harden...

…it was a tough call either way. And with his health history it certainly was not unreasonable to feel that he could break down at any moment.

"If I've got baggage, he's got a whole set of Louis Vuitton." ~ Milton Bradley on Barry Bonds

by UncleLeo on Aug 23, 2008 7:33 PM PDT up reply actions  

No way...

this isn’t joe blanton we would be getting or a injury prone question marked harden. I think we would have to dealve out a better set of prospects something more along the lines of the haren or swisher trade.

by mattman on Aug 22, 2008 7:06 PM PDT up reply actions  

Here a bit from the Mazzaro part.

"The Athletics had a chance to make a big splash before the trade deadline, a chance to trade for Jason Bay. They would have had to surrender a package that included pitcher Vin Mazzaro, the 21-year-old right-hander who went 12-3 with a 1.90 ERA in Double-A this year, but the acquisition of Bay would have temporarily fulfilled Oakland’s desperate need for a masher in the middle of their lineup. "

"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

by Syphon on Aug 22, 2008 5:58 PM PDT up reply actions  

He does not mention any other prospects we woulda had to give up. So who knows how much truth there was around it anyways.

"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

by Syphon on Aug 22, 2008 5:59 PM PDT up reply actions  

Thank you

Beane would/should have parted with Mazzaro to acquire Bay. I wonder what the rest of the package entailed because those are the players Billy refused to part with.

The monster at the end of this blog.

by grover on Aug 22, 2008 6:50 PM PDT up reply actions  

If it was that easy...

then i’m sure it would have been a done deal.

by mattman on Aug 22, 2008 7:15 PM PDT up reply actions  

I openly pined for Bay

And would certainly have traded Mazzaro for him (and several other players if Mazzaro is the best of the bunch). However, that move only makes sense if the A’s then commit to extending his contract and thereby ensuring that they have a great hitter once the rebuild goes into full swing.

Maybe Beane just looked at the FAs available and decided there’s a better deal.

"There's never enough time to do all the nothing you want" -Bill Watterson

by nevermoor on Aug 22, 2008 9:32 PM PDT up reply actions  

I'm glad they didn't because Bay is not a great hitter.

Sure, he’s better than most of the A’s hitters right now, but he’s not a GREAT hitter. Manny and Pujols and A-Rod and Holiday are great hitters. Mazzaro absolutely dominated AA this year and he’s what? 22?

I don’t think it would have been worth it this year either way because the other team could pitch around Bay or anybody else alllll daaayyy longggg because Crosby and Frank seem to actually enjoy bouncing into DP’s. I’d give up a package like that for a hitter like Bay when he is protected or can be protected by somebody like Doolittle or Carter or Cargon (when he matures), but not now. He’d be worthless on the A’s right now

by NateHST on Aug 22, 2008 10:27 PM PDT up reply actions  

That's being extremely short-sighted

Let’s set aside who’s a good vs great hitter and focus on some concrete fact.

Manny only agreed to go the the Dodgers because the deal included the teams waiving the two team controlled options years. Manny is a FA next year, so if you want to get the soon to turn 37 year old hitter all it’ll cost is cold hard cash. Pujols and A-Rod are completely unavailable and the Rockies were demanding a higher price for Holliday then the Pirates set on Bay.

So realistically speaking, Bay was the BEST hitter on the trade market that it made sense for the A’s to pursue.

Having Bay on the team right now would not be a worthless thing because it would add a good hitter to a line-up in desperate need of a good hitter. Hell, the line-up is in desperate need of several good hitters but you’ve got to start somewhere and adding one bat would be a step in the right direction. Plus, you’d still have Bay around next year when (hopefully) some of the younger guys have got their hitting legs under them. You talk about wanting to wait for Cargon to be ready to protect Bay, well how about Bay protecting Cargon? Having an established, quality, professional hitter in the everyday line-up might HELP Cargon’s development.

Mazzaro pitched great in AA, he’s struggling a bit in AAA but that’s not too big a deal. What is a big deal is the A’s have pitching depth and are in desperate need of offense. Mazzaro’s play will not help the A’s offense… trading him might.

The monster at the end of this blog.

by grover on Aug 22, 2008 10:45 PM PDT up reply actions  

I love Bay

And would love to have him on the A’s. But I’m not sure he would have been a great trade target for this year. Mostly b/c I’m not really convinced that 2009 is going to be a real contending year. Then after 2009 he’s gone so you’ve essentially traded several valuable prospects (I’m not seeing a package for Bay where Mazzaro is the best piece, especially considering what they ended up getting for him) for a year and a half of Bay in non-contending seasons and two draft picks.

It mostly comes down to where one thinks we are on the rebuilding scale, namely if you think 2009 is a contending year. If I was convinced that 2009 was a contender, sure, let ‘er rip. But I think we’re still going to have major offensive holes next year unless we see quantum leaps out of several guys and I don’t think the pitching will be quite there yet. I think we’ll be good in 2010 and ready to take some names in 2011 and beyond.

by jdr on Aug 22, 2008 11:49 PM PDT up reply actions  

I'll take back "major"

and just say offensive holes.

by jdr on Aug 22, 2008 11:51 PM PDT up reply actions  

Hence my point

That I wanted him but only if we committed to extending his contract. He’ll be one of the better hitters in baseball in 2010, 2011, etc so trading for him now would be nice if we keep him.

"There's never enough time to do all the nothing you want" -Bill Watterson

by nevermoor on Aug 23, 2008 6:47 AM PDT up reply actions  

Same here...

…I wanted Bay, also, and feel he could have been a central part of the hoped for next round of good teams, but only if he could be extended. Maybe that was attempted and failed, I don’t know.

"If I've got baggage, he's got a whole set of Louis Vuitton." ~ Milton Bradley on Barry Bonds

by UncleLeo on Aug 23, 2008 7:35 PM PDT up reply actions  

Awww, a Frankie update....
“I’m fishing every day with my friends,” Menechino said. “It’s hard work, especially when you’re fishing for trout.”

There's no crying in baseball!

by gigglingone on Aug 22, 2008 4:56 PM PDT reply actions  

Frankie say relax

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

by Nick on Aug 22, 2008 5:06 PM PDT up reply actions  

Thanks Frankie!
We didn’t have a lot of fans in Oakland, but the fans that did come were great. The players there, we recognize that."

Polynesian Sauce may not be available in all locations.

by Englishmajor on Aug 22, 2008 5:42 PM PDT up reply actions  

Menechino for 1B coach and Rickey for 3B!!!!

Then Hatteberg for hitting coach and Sweeney for bench coach. They could all be horrible coaches but who cares, that’s an awesome group of guys.

"Their batters are patient to the point that it's annoying." -Ryan Franklin

by Helloooo 1st on Aug 22, 2008 6:21 PM PDT up reply actions  

menechino for coach? didn’t beane run him out of town for being a bad influence (i don’t remember the details… partying, pot, or roids maybe)? if so why would they bring him back?

A's v Giants "is kind of like the difference between going to see the Ramones and going to see the Bee Gees. A's fans will go see the Ramones." -BB 07/27/05

by xbhaskarx on Aug 22, 2008 7:24 PM PDT up reply actions  

The article

Has Menechino refering to Beane as a good friend and that he credits him with giving him a chance and seeing the potential in him. I don’t think they’re on bad terms at all.

"Their batters are patient to the point that it's annoying." -Ryan Franklin

by Helloooo 1st on Aug 22, 2008 9:46 PM PDT up reply actions  

i never said menechino had a problem with beane, beane says nothing about menechino in the article. did the mlb.com writer even contact beane?

so, menechino wants a coaching job and praises beane?

A's v Giants "is kind of like the difference between going to see the Ramones and going to see the Bee Gees. A's fans will go see the Ramones." -BB 07/27/05

by xbhaskarx on Aug 24, 2008 7:09 PM PDT up reply actions  

Isn't that photo from Ekman, on deception?

The meaning of life is not so much 'found,' as it is 'made.' --Opus

by The Dogfather on Aug 24, 2008 8:05 PM PDT up reply actions  

Far as I know

the only thing he did that Beane didn’t like is pose for that silly bathtub picture.

"PECOTA can pretty much kiss my ass."-Nico

by jeepers on Aug 24, 2008 12:23 PM PDT up reply actions  

There were other "substantive" issues as well, I believe

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 Aug 24, 2008 4:51 PM PDT up reply actions  

Bunch of speculation, I believe.

"PECOTA can pretty much kiss my ass."-Nico

by jeepers on Aug 24, 2008 8:50 PM PDT up reply actions  

I guess I can't go to the park anymore....

Typo vigilantes banned from national parks

“… Still, I think I shall be haunted by that perversity, emense, in my train-whistle-blighted dreams tonight.”

I think I’m in love.

There's no crying in baseball!

by gigglingone on Aug 22, 2008 8:02 PM PDT reply actions  

Haha.
Deck and Herson pleaded guilty to conspiracy to vandalize government property.

Well, the original writers of the signs should have been convicted for conspiracy to vandalize the English language. They apparently did a very good job.

by whiteshoes40 on Aug 22, 2008 9:41 PM PDT up reply actions  

wait. hunh?
They were also ordered to pay $3,035 to repair the watchtower sign.
  1. Please tell me that the “repair” of the sign will not revert back to the original typos.
  2. How in the name of Ba’al could the “repair” cost over $3K?
  3. “Train-whistle-blighted”? “Blight” is a visual metaphor, not an aural one.

There were a lot of stupid, long confusing words that I’m sure normal people don’t use. @('.')@

by monkeyball on Aug 23, 2008 1:03 PM PDT up reply actions  

No thanks

When most of the reconstruction has been completed, it’s okay to plug a hole by trading for a B+ player like Jason Bay. When you’re still working on the foundation, there’s no point in obtaining someone who will hijack playing time from young prospects while doing nothing to push the team toward a champtionship.

By the time the A’s are ready to compete in earnest, Bay will be in decline and a lot more expensive. It’s the same thing that made Swisher expendable. I’d like to see the roster space and playing time available in 2009 dedicated to shaping Buck, Gonzalez, Cunningham, Sweeney, Carter, Barton, et al into productive major leaguers. If a couple of them fail to develop satisfactorily while the rest of the squad looks ready to bull-rush past the Angels and Rangers in 2010, then Beane should start shopping outside the organization for someone similar to the player Bay is in 2008.

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

by Monday Fan on Aug 23, 2008 1:01 AM PDT reply actions  

Swisher is 2 years younger, cheaper, and has a year less service time

They’re really not at all comparable. Swisher wasn’t being shopped. Kenny Williams called Beane and blew him away with an offer. That’s the only reason he was moved. I don’t think Beane had any intention of trading Swisher last offseason.

by thejd44 on Aug 24, 2008 2:47 AM PDT up reply actions  

Sure they are comparable

Whether or not Swisher was being shopped is irrelevant. When an offer came along, it was pretty clear Swisher was expendable because he a good but not elite player who was going to be 30 years old by the time the A’s would be in position to compete again. They would have been a better team with him but not good enough to win anythng. The decision to use him to make the team better in the future was the correct one — just as the decision not to purse Bay was the correct one.

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

by Monday Fan on Aug 24, 2008 1:39 PM PDT up reply actions  

Oof!

“he is a good but not elite player”
“just as the decision not to pursue Bay was the correct one.”

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

by Monday Fan on Aug 24, 2008 1:44 PM PDT up reply actions  

The more I think about it

the more I am kind of glad the A’s did not make this trade. The team has completely fallen by the wayside with injuries and I don’t think Jason Bay would have made that much of a difference at this point. It would have been nice to get a young 3rd baseman, however.

Me thinks Beane is gonna do some serious trading in the offseason of pitching for hitting. At least I hope he does.

by mrod on Aug 23, 2008 5:59 AM PDT reply actions  

Did anyone watch the Cuba vs South Korea game

Cuba pulled an A’s move when they loaded the bases with one out in the ninth while trailing by one run and failed to score. The South Korean catcher was ejected for arguing balls and strikes. Then a Korean submariner got the batter to hit into a double play.

Right after that, Telemundo showed the video of this.

by lerei on Aug 23, 2008 9:23 AM PDT reply actions  

“We didn’t expect anything like what you have witnessed to occur,” said WTF secretary general Yang Jin-suk. “I am at a loss for words.”

I want to be WTF secretary general

"The Athletics at Fremont" is quite bad

by ArakSOT on Aug 25, 2008 6:15 AM PDT up reply actions  

Cuba

The Cuban Olympic baseball team is good largely because none of Cuba’s best players are allowed to leave the country and pursue their livelihood elsewhere. I think there are only 5 Cubans playing in the Major Leagues today and all of them defected at great peril to themselves and their families. After being exposed to more competition, a free Cuba might produce Major League talent similar in numbers to the Dominican Republic but we may not find that out for a while.

by SA on Aug 23, 2008 3:30 PM PDT reply actions  

We'll probably find out rather sooner than later.

Fidel has one foot in the grave already. Raul spouts the party line for reasons of self preservation. Who knows what direction he will go when he holds the reigns of power.

"You may glory in a team triumphant, but you fall in love with a team in defeat."--The Boys of Summer

by alox on Aug 23, 2008 6:17 PM PDT up reply actions  

Definitely more than five

I think it’s more like 15. (Not disputing your main point, though.)

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

by iglew on Aug 23, 2008 6:31 PM PDT up reply actions  

Hmm, I spoke too soon. Looks like you're right.

Or at least closer to right than I was.

So far I find five on active rosters plus three on the DL. (A lot of the guys I thought were in the majors are either demoted or retired….) List to come.

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

by iglew on Aug 23, 2008 6:51 PM PDT up reply actions  

As promised,

(Because I like making lists)

ACTIVE ROSTER

  • Livan Hernandez, SP, COL (defected Sep 1995)
  • Yuniesky Betancourt, SS, SEA (defected 2003)
  • Yunel Escobar, SS, ATL (defected 2004)
  • Kendry Morales, 1B, LAA (defected June 2004)
  • Vladimir Nuñez, RP, ATL (defected Oct 1995)

DISABLED LIST

  • Jose Contreras, SP, CWS (defected Oct 2002). Currently on 15-day DL, but probably out for season.
  • Orlando Hernandez, SP, NYM (defected Dec 1997). On 15-day DL according to mlb.com, but he’s been out all year.
  • Danys Baez, RP, BAL (defected 1999). On 60-day DL, out for entire season.

NOT IN MAJORS

  • Brayan Peña, C. With the Braves for a few years. DFA in May 2008. *
  • Alex Sanchez, OF. Out of majors since 2006. Now playing for indepedent league Long Island Ducks.
  • Alay Soler, P. Up and down with the Mets for a few years. Also with the Long Island Ducks now.
  • Michael Tejera, P. Occasional appearances in the majors, mostly 2002-2003 with the Marlins. Now in AAA Pawtucket (Red Sox).
  • Eli Marrero. Last in the majors in 2006. Released from AAA Memphis (Cardinals) in 2007. I think he’s an unemployed free agent now.

That’s all I can find.

* Brayan Peña was childhood best friend of Yunel Escobar. According to the story, Yunel never intended to defect, but after Brayan defected, the Cuban authorities put a lot of restrictions on Yunel, following him constantly, often suspending him, etc., until finally he was so frustrated that he defected, too.

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

by iglew on Aug 23, 2008 7:19 PM PDT up reply actions  

Alexei Ramirez

ZIPS: Milledge: 466 HR, 485 2B, 2282 hits, 278-379-524

by rfloh on Aug 24, 2008 11:29 AM PDT up reply actions  

No more Thomas?

From the article, it looks like 100% speculation on the part of the writer. Nobody is quoted as saying it, and sources aren’t even cited.

That is likely to include adding an impact bat this winter, probably via free agency, although the A’s do have the talent base to trade from, too. The group Oakland looks at probably will not include its own free-agent DHs, Thomas and Mike Sweeney; the team is likely to look younger and less health-risky.

The words “likely” and “probably” are pretty good indications that Slusser is giving her thoughts on the matter. Maybe some whispers around the team created those thoughts, but it’s not written as though anybody has come out and said it.

As for Jason Bay: I don’t think it would’ve helped to trade for a guy who is a free agent after 2009, and I wouldn’t support re-signing him after next year anyway.

by thejd44 on Aug 24, 2008 2:44 AM PDT reply actions  

Absolutely right.

I wouldn’t be surprised to see either of them back on the team. It will mostly depend on how close the team thinks Aaron Cunningham is to manning the outfield.

"PECOTA can pretty much kiss my ass."-Nico

by jeepers on Aug 24, 2008 12:18 PM PDT up reply actions  

I think the plan with Cunningham is to call him up Sept 1st

for keeps. I can’t wait to see him – assuming he doesn’t fatally injure himself between now and then.

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 Aug 24, 2008 4:52 PM PDT up reply actions  

Oops!

The monster at the end of this blog.

by grover on Aug 24, 2008 7:53 PM PDT up reply actions  

What? Did he just accidentally swallow arsenic?

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 Aug 24, 2008 8:10 PM PDT up reply actions  

As a matter of fact, it was cyanide

But you can’t help but laugh at Cyanide and Happiness comics.

Procrastinators unite....tomorrow

by muffinpryde on Aug 24, 2008 8:40 PM PDT up reply actions  

Could be

Of course, that was the plan with Travis Buck, too.

"PECOTA can pretty much kiss my ass."-Nico

by jeepers on Aug 24, 2008 9:56 PM PDT up reply actions  

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