A's Rumors: Abreu, Cabrera, Barton
by Yourmyboyblue on Jan 7, 2009 11:54 AM PST
214 comments
For what's it's worth here are the lastest Oakland A's rumors;
Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle has the latest on the A's.
- The Jason Giambi press conference is scheduled for today. Joe Dillon was designated for assignment to make room.
- Slusser believes Billy Beane will take a look at Bobby Abreu and/or Orlando Cabrera if their price tags slip.
- Daric Barton is drawing trade interest, with the Nationals a possibility.
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No trading Staplehead!
Swooney would be sad, and a fun nickname would be lost!
A's Strategy 2009: "Whoever is not hurt plays" - Syphon, 11/10/08
by schmifty on Jan 7, 2009 12:06 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
Also, I bet Giambi can't do the splits like Dale can.
by whiteshoes40 on Jan 7, 2009 12:44 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
I don't know
the split he did in ’02 caused quite an uproar around here.
Still is, apparently.
I'm here to talk about the past.
by 67MARQUEZ on Jan 7, 2009 2:49 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
+100000000000000000000000000
Awww… Unicorn's optimistic. And a cheeseball. That’s cute. ~Whiteshoes40
by #14fan on Jan 7, 2009 1:05 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
I dont know, Giambi may could do one split
but after that i think he would be done.
by A'sfaninNC on Jan 7, 2009 1:10 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
yeah, but he can't do it like Dale can.
and he probably wouldn’t be able to move afterwards. and besides, how are we going to find someone with a nickname as completely awesome as Staplehead?!??!!
Awww… Unicorn's optimistic. And a cheeseball. That’s cute. ~Whiteshoes40
by #14fan on Jan 7, 2009 2:11 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
After doing his one split, we could probably call Giambi Staplehead.
by mikev on Jan 7, 2009 2:31 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Staplegroin
Children, until we have taught them better, will be perfectly happy with a seasonal round of games in which conkers succeeds hopscotch.
by salb918 on Jan 7, 2009 2:33 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Staple-Adductor?
"A’s baseball….It’s almost better than a stick in the eye." ~ alox
by Gallagher's Watermelons on Jan 7, 2009 2:55 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Well, I guess that's one, but not the one I was looking for.
Here’s a hint: it’s head
by mikev on Jan 7, 2009 3:03 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Staple Helmet?
It's not the results, it's how you look going about those results -- Tim McCarver
by WaddellCanseco on Jan 7, 2009 6:52 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Staplethong
"And Julio Franco is batting right-handed!" -- Wayne Hagin, A's radio play-by-play, mid-80s
by Nick on Jan 7, 2009 8:26 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Stapling the buttocks together in the process, 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
by Nico on Jan 7, 2009 8:40 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
He probably wouldn't give a sh*t.
"When I was a kid, having someone correct your grammar was a sign that they cared and wanted you to present yourself in the best possible light. That being said, you should really learn the difference between plurals and possessives." -- RS
by oblique on Jan 7, 2009 10:37 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Do the Nats have a SS prospect worth taking a look at?
I’m not sure why we would sign Abreu at this point. Cabrera makes sense if it’s under $6 or 7 million.
Trading Barton only makes sense if we can get a middle IF back AND if Carter/Doolittle will be ready next year OR Giambi is still good enough to play 1B next year.
I’m not opposed to trading Barton.
"I'm not going to buy my kids an encyclopedia. Let them walk to school like I did." -Yogi Berra
by brenarlo on Jan 7, 2009 12:07 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
going with normal development patterns, it is very concievable that Doolittle or Carter will be ready
most likely of them is to be Doolittle, who is already ready on defense. Both will start at Double A Midland. Mid-Season call up to AAA Sacramento, and then they’re ready in 2010.
facepalm.jpg
by Zonis on Jan 7, 2009 12:13 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
To answer your question, no, they don't
The Nats system is very short on actual talent. Ross Detwiler was just ranked their #2 prospect by BA. Their top middle infield prospect is Esmailyn Gonzalez, who is in rookie ball.
Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.
by PaulThomas on Jan 7, 2009 12:33 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Gonzalez is lazy
Esmailyn it in.
This is hardball! This is where we overreact! @('.')@
by monkeyball on Jan 7, 2009 12:49 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
That was a good one.
It atones for about five of your "giamsorri"s. So, about 15 more to go then.
"Dispatch knuckleheadedness with Bond-like aplomb." –74mk
by iglew on Jan 7, 2009 1:47 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
ah, shit, that's $40 out of my pocket
This is hardball! This is where we overreact! @('.')@
by monkeyball on Jan 7, 2009 1:57 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
+1
"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 Jan 7, 2009 10:23 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
not one over 20
theres ian desmond and esmailyn rodriguez(?) but theyre too young and dont profile as regulars
"Sometimes Joe (morgan) doesn't like facts to get in the way of his opinions."- billy beane
"That was a great pick...if this was 2002" Me, to guy who selected Barry Zito in a fantasy draft
by harendaman365 on Jan 7, 2009 4:00 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
esmailyn gonzalez
sorry
"Sometimes Joe (morgan) doesn't like facts to get in the way of his opinions."- billy beane
"That was a great pick...if this was 2002" Me, to guy who selected Barry Zito in a fantasy draft
by harendaman365 on Jan 7, 2009 4:00 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
What about C. Guzman and or N Johnson
The A’s would have put a few more chip on the table, but I would take them.
by Yourmyboyblue on Jan 7, 2009 12:13 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
who would have thought that Christian Guzman would become the better SS than Crosby
facepalm.jpg
by Zonis on Jan 7, 2009 12:13 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
He has been each of the last two years...since he recovered from his injury.
It's not the results, it's how you look going about those results -- Tim McCarver
by WaddellCanseco on Jan 7, 2009 6:55 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
He's not a good defensive player
And I think his last season and a quarter were flukes, primarily due to the weaker league and (in 2007) a very small sample size. I don’t think he’s a better player now than when he was with the Twins. Guzman might be a different kind of bad than Crosby, but he’s still bad.
by thejd44 on Jan 8, 2009 10:44 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
according to...
"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 Jan 7, 2009 10:24 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
i read somewhere
(i forget where) that the nats are open and maybe even looking to move lastings milledge. not sure how much validity there is to this rumor, but i know bb has a baseball boner for milledge
"My group runs some frogloks down the hall to finish them off and POP! RASTER! If there was a way to scream louder than caps in EQ I was doing it. Man I am straight panicking because I know I have NO CHANCE soloing and the party has run off. I'm in my hotel room; it's like 5am, and I am straight hollering, in EQ and in real life. Bottom line is the group comes back, heals me, and kills Raster! WOOT!" -Curt Schilling on his favorite memories in the video game "EverQuest"
by travdog6 on Jan 7, 2009 12:18 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
Nick Johnson... Lastings Milledge...
Don’t we have enough 1B/OF/DH types?
How many more trades can we complete without filling out biggest hole?
"I'm not going to buy my kids an encyclopedia. Let them walk to school like I did." -Yogi Berra
by brenarlo on Jan 7, 2009 12:22 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
there are not a lot of SS prospects out there - or any close
to MLB ready and if teams do have these type of guys, they don’t want to give them up
"just a beating heart ... plasma that we'll put into our uniform." - Billy Beane
by athleticsBB4life on Jan 7, 2009 12:25 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
infinite
the problem is there aren’t many good ss out there. that being said the nats do have guzman. but thats a little bit of a stretch. and if you have a good ss, you dont wanna give him up
"My group runs some frogloks down the hall to finish them off and POP! RASTER! If there was a way to scream louder than caps in EQ I was doing it. Man I am straight panicking because I know I have NO CHANCE soloing and the party has run off. I'm in my hotel room; it's like 5am, and I am straight hollering, in EQ and in real life. Bottom line is the group comes back, heals me, and kills Raster! WOOT!" -Curt Schilling on his favorite memories in the video game "EverQuest"
by travdog6 on Jan 7, 2009 12:26 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
do i hear an echo in here
"just a beating heart ... plasma that we'll put into our uniform." - Billy Beane
by athleticsBB4life on Jan 7, 2009 12:26 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
well in fairness to me
your comment popped up the second before i clicked post.
"My group runs some frogloks down the hall to finish them off and POP! RASTER! If there was a way to scream louder than caps in EQ I was doing it. Man I am straight panicking because I know I have NO CHANCE soloing and the party has run off. I'm in my hotel room; it's like 5am, and I am straight hollering, in EQ and in real life. Bottom line is the group comes back, heals me, and kills Raster! WOOT!" -Curt Schilling on his favorite memories in the video game "EverQuest"
by travdog6 on Jan 7, 2009 12:32 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Milledge is supposedly a CF, but apparently a pretty bad one.
It's not the results, it's how you look going about those results -- Tim McCarver
by WaddellCanseco on Jan 7, 2009 6:56 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Lastings
Beane has always had a “thing” for lastings but were does he fit in? I actually like him better then Buck and lastings could also lead off for us. I wouldn’t mind trading Barton in a package deal and getting a few guys from them, but I don’t see the need for Nick Johnson if your going to get lastings back in the deal. Do they have a starting pitcher??
by ryanmoser on Jan 7, 2009 12:21 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
Milledge is a more pure CF in comparison to Sweeney
Or for that matter, anyone else in the A’s system (excluding Dixon).
Nonetheless, a trade involving our supposed failed prospect for another supposed failed prospect seems almost pointless.
I am Ray Fosse's infatuations with Clay Wood and high-definition television.
by franks a lot on Jan 7, 2009 12:26 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Dixon's 18 - lets hold off on that determination
"just a beating heart ... plasma that we'll put into our uniform." - Billy Beane
by athleticsBB4life on Jan 7, 2009 12:27 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
I'm somewhat confused by this, as he projects as worse in CF than Buck, Cunningham, Sweeney or Denorfia
Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.
by PaulThomas on Jan 7, 2009 12:38 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
And Davis! I'm not giving up on Davis.
by thejd44 on Jan 7, 2009 3:55 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
[gets out & dusts off his "Save Rajai Davis" sign]
Then thinks to him self what is up with the “ai”? Damn foreign languages…
"AN, Reducing Work Productivity since 2003", connie mack 11/06/08
by adragon on Jan 8, 2009 11:30 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Bowden has been known to get crazy with the cheez whiz
when it comes to making trades. But while he’s usually a willing partner, I don’t see much the Nats have that can help us. Nothing in their system looks too enticing from our end, I think I’d rather stick with our current young OF group than make a play for Milledge. Nick the Stick can rake when healthy, but he never actually is, and I’m burned out on injury risk type players.
"Errors of opinion may be tolerated where reason is left free to combat it."
-Thomas Jefferson
by thinwhiteduke on Jan 7, 2009 12:31 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
digital underground??
Save the thesaurus for when you are in front of the judge. When speaking of the A's, speak with your heart on...................your sleeve!
by norcalfan on Jan 7, 2009 8:58 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Cabrera might not be viable even if he's willing to sign for $1 million
I don’t think the A’s would want to give up a draft pick for a 34-year-old shortstop.
by thejd44 on Jan 7, 2009 12:22 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
they might
if it helps them compete this year
"My group runs some frogloks down the hall to finish them off and POP! RASTER! If there was a way to scream louder than caps in EQ I was doing it. Man I am straight panicking because I know I have NO CHANCE soloing and the party has run off. I'm in my hotel room; it's like 5am, and I am straight hollering, in EQ and in real life. Bottom line is the group comes back, heals me, and kills Raster! WOOT!" -Curt Schilling on his favorite memories in the video game "EverQuest"
by travdog6 on Jan 7, 2009 12:25 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
How many second round draft picks amount to anything anyways?
"I'm not going to buy my kids an encyclopedia. Let them walk to school like I did." -Yogi Berra
by brenarlo on Jan 7, 2009 12:28 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
So all second round picks become MVPs?
"I'm not going to buy my kids an encyclopedia. Let them walk to school like I did." -Yogi Berra
by brenarlo on Jan 7, 2009 12:33 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Yes at least one drafted by the A's in 1992 did...
but small sampling size may play a factor in that call
by A'sfaninNC on Jan 7, 2009 12:47 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Bigger sampling size
In the last 2 years Pedroia and Rollins snagged MVP honors after being skipped over in round 1 of the draft (Pedroia went 2 picks ahead of Zook). Another 2nd rounder of interest is that Johnson feller who just signed with the Giants.
"No matter what I talk about, I always get back to baseball." - Connie Mack
by GoA's on Jan 7, 2009 8:23 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Um, guys
The two statements “Many MLB players are 2nd rounders” and “Very few 2nd rounders are MLB players” are not mutually exclusive.
You’re doing a good job proving the former, not so much with the latter.
Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.
by PaulThomas on Jan 7, 2009 8:30 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Besides Giambi,
Kurt Suzuki and Andre Ethier were 2nd-rounders drafted by the A’s.
In our farm system, Cahill, Italiano, Lansford, and Desme were second-rounders. We’re hoping to see something of Cahill, at least.
"Dispatch knuckleheadedness with Bond-like aplomb." –74mk
by iglew on Jan 7, 2009 1:55 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
So, to you, a second-round draft pick is worth $7 million or more?
That’s an… interesting assessment. And by “interesting,” I mean “wrong.”
Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.
by PaulThomas on Jan 7, 2009 12:28 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Depends how much the A's are valuing the rebuilding while trying to win now
The only reason I threw the $1 million figure out there was to basically say that the A’s might not be willing to give up the pick at all.
by thejd44 on Jan 7, 2009 3:56 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
No, it doesn't
They could (hypothetically) sign Cabrera for $5 million and then trade him for a better prospect than they could get with the draft pick.
Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.
by PaulThomas on Jan 7, 2009 4:18 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Alternatively
they can sign him for a year and give up the pick now. Then get the pick back the next year when he signs somewhere else next year.
In search of a new signature. Say something funny and you may see your comment here!
by DMOAS on Jan 7, 2009 6:35 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Only if they offer him arbitration and he declines
And I don’t think he would after his experience this offseason.
by thejd44 on Jan 8, 2009 10:46 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
it would be a 2nd rd pick - i say give it up, the A's 1st rd is protected
"just a beating heart ... plasma that we'll put into our uniform." - Billy Beane
by athleticsBB4life on Jan 7, 2009 12:31 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
The Joe Dillon Experiment is officially a failure.
"When I was a kid, having someone correct your grammar was a sign that they cared and wanted you to present yourself in the best possible light. That being said, you should really learn the difference between plurals and possessives." -- RS
by oblique on Jan 7, 2009 12:25 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
I wouldn't say that until he gets claimed
Better players have cleared waivers before.
Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.
by PaulThomas on Jan 7, 2009 12:25 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
And so did Bobby Crosby!
The monster at the end of this blog.
by grover on Jan 7, 2009 2:13 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
What did you hust say about my college roomate's piano-funk band?
Children, until we have taught them better, will be perfectly happy with a seasonal round of games in which conkers succeeds hopscotch.
by salb918 on Jan 7, 2009 12:29 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
I laughed.
"When I was a kid, having someone correct your grammar was a sign that they cared and wanted you to present yourself in the best possible light. That being said, you should really learn the difference between plurals and possessives." -- RS
by oblique on Jan 7, 2009 2:06 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
You're awesome.
Children, until we have taught them better, will be perfectly happy with a seasonal round of games in which conkers succeeds hopscotch.
by salb918 on Jan 7, 2009 2:10 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
I'm trying to imagine piano-funk.
What the heck would that sound like?
It's not the results, it's how you look going about those results -- Tim McCarver
by WaddellCanseco on Jan 7, 2009 7:00 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Does it have jazz flute in it?
by EddieVegas_NRAF on Jan 7, 2009 9:31 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
jazz flute has always been a small passion of mine
but i have another passion the burns deep within my loins…
"My group runs some frogloks down the hall to finish them off and POP! RASTER! If there was a way to scream louder than caps in EQ I was doing it. Man I am straight panicking because I know I have NO CHANCE soloing and the party has run off. I'm in my hotel room; it's like 5am, and I am straight hollering, in EQ and in real life. Bottom line is the group comes back, heals me, and kills Raster! WOOT!" -Curt Schilling on his favorite memories in the video game "EverQuest"
by travdog6 on Jan 7, 2009 9:36 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
This would probably sound pretty cool.
It's not the results, it's how you look going about those results -- Tim McCarver
by WaddellCanseco on Jan 7, 2009 9:45 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Just for the record,
an outfield of Jack Cust in left, Bobby Abreu in right and Matt Holliday in center would, I’m pretty sure, be the worst outfield ever. Anywhere.
Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.
by PaulThomas on Jan 7, 2009 12:27 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
I don't believe they're really after Abreu... but if they got him...
My guess is that the OF would be Cust LF, Buck CF, Holliday RF… Abreu 1B… Giambi DH… or if Abreu really can’t play 1B then maybe he and Giambi would switch.
I guess that’s doable if Buck can play CF and Holliday has the arm for RF.
"I'm not going to buy my kids an encyclopedia. Let them walk to school like I did." -Yogi Berra
by brenarlo on Jan 7, 2009 12:31 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Abreu still wants 3 years/$48.
Ahahahahaha
by NateHST on Jan 7, 2009 12:49 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
48 dollars? I'd probably go ahead and do that.
by mikev on Jan 7, 2009 1:01 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
me too
In fact, I might go all the way 50 bucks.
by jeffro on Jan 7, 2009 1:52 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
I would sign him to my personal team
then offer him up for $100 on Craigs List. See if anyone bites.
"Dispatch knuckleheadedness with Bond-like aplomb." –74mk
by iglew on Jan 7, 2009 1:57 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
I think ebay
with a buy it now of $100 might be a better option… he could easily get to $102
by jeffro on Jan 7, 2009 2:16 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
102.50
it goes in 2.50 increments once it gets to 100 i’m pretty sure
"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 Jan 7, 2009 10:28 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
I think if they were to get Abreu
it would be more like Holliday LF, Sweeney CF, Abreu RF, Cust DH and Giambi 1B. I guess you could interchange Abreu/Cust for RF as i’m not sure which one would be worst at this point. There’s only a couple reasons why I might be ok with a move like this. For one, theress the health of Buck. If he’s healthy I take him all day long over Abreu at this point, but it’s not very often that he is. Maybe Buck gets dealt, but if not I think it’s a waste to have him sitting on the bench or in AAA. He deserves another shot whether it’s with Oakland or another team, but again health is going to be a major concern with him. Secondly, adding Abreu’s OBP out of the 2 or 3 hole with Cust, Holliday and Giambi batting behind him might be a really nice thing. He’s still got some speed and pop, but for how long who knows.
by JPShark on Jan 7, 2009 1:24 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Abreu cannot play RF anymore...
"I'm not going to buy my kids an encyclopedia. Let them walk to school like I did." -Yogi Berra
by brenarlo on Jan 7, 2009 1:27 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Then they
would probably go with Cust in RF. It’s said he has the arm to play there, but i’m not sure he has much else. Sweeney will be the CF barring a trade for another CF’r which I really don’t see happening. He’s the best option out there, Buck included as it sounds like he should be limited to the corners only.
by JPShark on Jan 7, 2009 1:30 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
That's OK, Giambi can't play 1B anymore
The monster at the end of this blog.
by grover on Jan 7, 2009 2:14 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Adam Dunn in CF
Holliday moves to SS!
"Loyal? I'm the most loyal player money can buy." - Don Sutton
by vignette17 on Jan 7, 2009 12:33 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
screw that
Jack Cust to SS!
when did we stop using adverbs proper?
by alea iacta est on Jan 7, 2009 3:20 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Hmm
Worse than Quentin/Swisher/Dye?
What about that collection of old crap the Giants would throw out there a couple years ago (with Bonds and Roberts)?
by thejd44 on Jan 7, 2009 3:57 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Come on guys
Didn’t Grieve/Long/Stairs used to make up the A’s outfield?
I think Terrance Long was probably better than Holliday in center, however.
"All your baserunner are belong to Greg Smith" ~ walk off bunt
by Philip Christy on Jan 7, 2009 5:25 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Somehow Long was actually good in 2000 as a CF.
But never again.
It's not the results, it's how you look going about those results -- Tim McCarver
by WaddellCanseco on Jan 7, 2009 7:01 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Sign me up for Cabrera
With stout hearts, and with enthusiasm for the contest, let us go forward to victory. ----Hero Defector Montgomery
by mikeA on Jan 7, 2009 12:27 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
I'd take either
With stout hearts, and with enthusiasm for the contest, let us go forward to victory. ----Hero Defector Montgomery
by mikeA on Jan 7, 2009 1:04 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Carthaginian generals > French paladins
"Dispatch knuckleheadedness with Bond-like aplomb." –74mk
by iglew on Jan 7, 2009 1:59 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
By this logic
it is clear we need to sign a man named Timoleon to play SS for us next season.
"Errors of opinion may be tolerated where reason is left free to combat it."
-Thomas Jefferson
by thinwhiteduke on Jan 7, 2009 2:06 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
but for how many simoleons?
This is hardball! This is where we overreact! @('.')@
by monkeyball on Jan 7, 2009 2:12 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
IMACHEAT IMACHEAT IMACHEAT
"It's like déjà vu all over again." -yogi berra
by Cheezombie on Jan 7, 2009 2:13 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Weird
A lot of those rumors don’t make sense. In a vacuum, if Abreu’s price has fallen to Giambi levels it might make sense to sign him. He still provides decent offense although his defense is bad. He’s probably about as valuable in 2009 as Buck, about 2 WAR. But with Buck and Sweeney in tow and DH already full, Abreu doesn’t make sense (especially if the plan is to use Giambi at DH and Cust in RF). The only reason it could make sense is it would provide good depth and allow the A’s to explore trading Sweeney/Buckingham. But trading one of the young guys doesn’t really make sense as Abreu is not going to be a long term solution but only short term. And with our LF most likely leaving after ’09, we need that depth.
For the same reason it makes little sense to acquire Abreu, it makes little sense trading Barton for Milledge as every is saying a A’s-Nats package would be. The only other player on the Nats that the A’s have expressed interest in is Johnson and he makes no sense with Giambi and he certainly could be had without trading Barton. I guess the A’s could go after Zimmerman, but they would need to include more than Barton in such a deal. And if Chavez is truly healhy (which I don’t believe, but the A’s seem to), acquiring Zimmerman means Chavez is blocked unless he moves to his old position of SS, which at this point is probably way too tough for Chavez to do (maybe Zimmerman could move there?). In fact, the best fit for Barton would probably be a trade that would never happen: Barton to the Angels for Brandon Wood. Maybe the Angels throw in a little more.
Orlando Cabrera could make sense, but he isn’t really a sexy name. He certainly upgrades on Crosby. But just as certainly he doesn’t upgrade SS by that much. I’d be more inclined to target the other Cabrera or Hardy, as they’d be certain upgrades or solve our future problems.
Joe Dillon’s departure isn’t that significant but it probably means the A’s plan on having Pennington or Petit (or Chen if he can play SS) on the bench as well as Baisley. The other two bench players being Davis and Bowen.
In other news, MLBTR has mentioned that the A’s are interested in Mulder (who I like as long as it’s cheap) and Greg Zaun (I guess the A’s are looking to replace Bowen; maybe the A’s could go after Pudge as some columnist predicted…).
"Loyal? I'm the most loyal player money can buy." - Don Sutton
by vignette17 on Jan 7, 2009 12:30 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
my guess is pennington
he has a decent OBP
by jeffro on Jan 7, 2009 1:53 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
This is my fear as well.
It's not the results, it's how you look going about those results -- Tim McCarver
by WaddellCanseco on Jan 7, 2009 7:03 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
hey if they want Barton
package him with another player and go after Zimmerman
Let's have our Piazza and eat the Cust too - SPWC
by closetasfan on Jan 7, 2009 12:33 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
this is pretty much the only deal i would make with the nats at this point
and it still doesn’t solve the SS problem, which should be a higher priority than the 3b problem.
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 Jan 7, 2009 12:49 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
should be a higher priority only if Chavvy is actually healthy
Following the Xbhaskarx Theorem, all the happy-shiny-healthy-Chavvy talk could be just a smokescreen to maintain some leverage when dealing for a third baseman.
This is hardball! This is where we overreact! @('.')@
by monkeyball on Jan 7, 2009 12:52 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Or Chavy moves to 1B, Giambi to DH, Cust to RF, Zimmerman to 3B.
by mikev on Jan 7, 2009 1:02 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
I still think that if Chavvy’s not healthy enough to field 3B, he won’t be healthy enough to hit above replacement level at 1B.
This is hardball! This is where we overreact! @('.')@
by monkeyball on Jan 7, 2009 1:19 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Well, in my scenario it's just to make room for Zimmerman, not to protect Chavvy's fragile little body.
by mikev on Jan 7, 2009 1:28 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
If we're getting Z, I'd rather trade Chavvy, even for cents on the dollar
Another argument for the XT.
This is hardball! This is where we overreact! @('.')@
by monkeyball on Jan 7, 2009 1:32 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
I could be wrong
But doesn’t Chavy have 10-5 status now?
In search of a new signature. Say something funny and you may see your comment here!
by DMOAS on Jan 7, 2009 6:45 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
He does, but he's said before that he'll be amenable to a trade if the team needs it
I think he values his friendship with Beane more than playing in Oakland per se.
Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.
by PaulThomas on Jan 7, 2009 6:59 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
And really, does it matter if you're on the DL in Oakland or some other city?
All that’s different is where the paycheck is coming from.
by thejd44 on Jan 8, 2009 10:47 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
I just don't see how
the Nats could move Zimmerman anyway. The only reasonable in-house replacement they have for him that I’m aware of is Kory Casto, (and that just isn’t very reasonable).
"Errors of opinion may be tolerated where reason is left free to combat it."
-Thomas Jefferson
by thinwhiteduke on Jan 7, 2009 1:16 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
i believe nats...
asked for barton back in the winter meetings for nick johnson and were obviously turned down. they still have a an OF w/ milledge, dukes, willingham, kearns, etc. their bp depth is horrible after losing cordero, rauch, etc. so maybe some combo of barton + bp depth could be the framewotrk of a deal for milledge and/or johnson…2 guys beane has coveted for awhile
by Asfan4ever723 on Jan 7, 2009 12:43 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
I'd give Barton and Henry Rodriguez for Milledge and Johnson
Seems like a fair deal to me.
Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.
by PaulThomas on Jan 7, 2009 12:46 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
but what need is there for those two guys now?
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 Jan 7, 2009 12:50 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
What "need" is there for EITHER group of players?
Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.
by PaulThomas on Jan 7, 2009 1:27 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
you're right
I don’t see how that’s fair though. Just look at rfloh’s sig, assuming he hasn’t changed it recently…Milledge should command a little more than that. Barton probably is worth more than he should be, though, so hey, if that can be done, take it
"Sweeney's a white Andre Ethier."--a white, drunk Billy Beane
by Cutthemullet on Jan 7, 2009 1:31 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Would you do that trade in a vacuum...
Or even with the A’s roster as it is now?
"I'm not going to buy my kids an encyclopedia. Let them walk to school like I did." -Yogi Berra
by brenarlo on Jan 7, 2009 12:50 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
That might make sense if the A's were then to trade Sweeney...
Maybe as part of a Hardy deal? Otherwise, I don’t see the point. Johnson gives us a lot of depth but with Johnson and Giambi, it would mean Buck would be sitting a lot when everyone’s healthy. Then again, with Johnson and Buck, we’ll never be in perfect health.
"Loyal? I'm the most loyal player money can buy." - Don Sutton
by vignette17 on Jan 7, 2009 12:54 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
DO THEY STILL HAVE LANGERHANS?????????????????
Say something funny.
by muffinpryde on Jan 7, 2009 7:49 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Well yes, but he seems to be behind Bernadina in the pecking order
It's not the results, it's how you look going about those results -- Tim McCarver
by WaddellCanseco on Jan 7, 2009 7:54 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Just how good of a CF does Milledge project to be?
by NateHST on Jan 7, 2009 12:51 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
UZR rated him pretty friggin bad last year. Negative 11.1 UZR/150
CHONE projects him at -10 in CF next year.
by mikev on Jan 7, 2009 1:03 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Well...
kinda hard to project defense. But so far he hasn’t been too hot with the leather. For some perspective on how much of an upgrade he would be over in-house options, Sweeney was actually better of the two with both the bat & glove last yr. I suppose it could reasonably be argued that Lastings has a higher upside, but not because of age. Sweeney is slightly younger and has less service time.
"Errors of opinion may be tolerated where reason is left free to combat it."
-Thomas Jefferson
by thinwhiteduke on Jan 7, 2009 1:04 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Fan Scouting Report had him pretty bad as well -- a 42 overall OF.
Sweeney was a 67 by comparison.
It's not the results, it's how you look going about those results -- Tim McCarver
by WaddellCanseco on Jan 7, 2009 7:06 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
I was happy to see Lasto leave my Mets and
I don’t want him on my A’s either!
I even remember an interview about his fielding, in which he talked about “not being very good with my hands”. He made some spectacular botches in the field.
Keep Blastings Thrilledge off my teams! He can go record some more raps instead.
A's Strategy 2009: "Whoever is not hurt plays" - Syphon, 11/10/08
by schmifty on Jan 7, 2009 8:46 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Please, no!
I really hate rap.
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 Jan 7, 2009 8:57 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
I guess he's crossing you off his mailing list then.
It's not the results, it's how you look going about those results -- Tim McCarver
by WaddellCanseco on Jan 7, 2009 9:46 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Barton
could be worth a pre-arbitration 3rd or 4th starter, somewhat similar to Greg Smith. Instead of all of this “Spend $12 million on Ben Sheets, and give up a draft pick for a guy who won’t make 25 starts in an A’s uniform” nonsense, Barton could be used to net an ML ready 4.00-or-so ERA starter. Not unlike that Matt Garza – Delmon Young swap between Minnesota and Tampa Bay last winter.
John Lannan, anyone?
by BWH on Jan 7, 2009 1:06 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
Lannan had a good year last year, but was it due to skill or luck?
I’m too lazy to check BABIP and the other usual suspects.
Ryan Sweeney: I probably irrationally embraced him before you did.
by Joey C. on Jan 7, 2009 2:30 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Luck
He had a tRA of 5.33, which is pretty horrible.
Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.
by PaulThomas on Jan 7, 2009 2:44 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Lannan -
BABIP around .265 last year and in 2007. 24 years old, arbitration eligible in 2011, 182 innings of a 3.91 ERA, good for a 112 ERA+.
5.24 K/9
3.56 BB/9
1.34 WHIP
54% ground balls last year,
15% HR/FB, sort of fluky, I guess, and couldn’t possibly go up in Oakland.
Marcel projects a 4.06 ERA, Bill James a 4.08.
Basically, Joe Blanton with more groundballs and slightly more walks. He’d be big for the 2009 A’s, a decent every 5th day guy. No more than a #3. Lannan’s never gonna be anyone’s idea of an ace, but for $400k this year and next, you could do a whole lot worse. Plus, he’s the only guy on the Nats I’d have any interest in (other than Zimmerman, but they’re probably asking for much more than Barton for him.) Guzman would be an upgrade over Crosby, but not for $16 million over two years. And their farm system’s pretty weak.
by BWH on Jan 7, 2009 2:52 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
id say he was actually unlucky
good GB rate, good K rate, will get better i think. and if W-L is your thing, it says in my Bill James handbook that Lannan had the most tough losses of any starter last year
"Sometimes Joe (morgan) doesn't like facts to get in the way of his opinions."- billy beane
"That was a great pick...if this was 2002" Me, to guy who selected Barry Zito in a fantasy draft
by harendaman365 on Jan 7, 2009 4:03 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Uh, 5.24 K/9 isn't a good K rate at all
It’s a pretty crappy K rate, and his K/BB ratio is even worse.
Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.
by PaulThomas on Jan 7, 2009 4:52 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
its a good K rate if your Ryan Howard
ba dum bum chhhhhhh
"I'm on hold for now"- Bobby Crosby
by DyeLongJustice on Jan 7, 2009 4:54 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
fair point
i somehow remembered good K-rate, twas a mistake for not checking it up. The GB rate is encouraging, and from the little ive watched him he has the stuff to kick up the K-Rate a bit. He tends to nibble too much sometimes, so if he were to challenge hitters a little more he might improve those particular stats
"Sometimes Joe (morgan) doesn't like facts to get in the way of his opinions."- billy beane
"That was a great pick...if this was 2002" Me, to guy who selected Barry Zito in a fantasy draft
by harendaman365 on Jan 9, 2009 10:59 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
for sheer winning-in-2009 purposes...
there’s no way that Bobby Abreu wouldn’t be an upgrade over any of the outfielders not named Holliday. Go ahead and count the negatives in that sentence with me, but the point still stands…I think as far as next year is concerned people are being surprisingly optimistic in the expectations of Travis Buck. The guy invites comparisons to Jody Gerut…and if you say Jody who, well, that’s the idea.
"Sweeney's a white Andre Ethier."--a white, drunk Billy Beane
by Cutthemullet on Jan 7, 2009 1:16 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
.296 .351 .494 ain't too bad.
That’s Gerut’s line from last season while playing home games at Petco. OK, ok, he’s not likely to do that anytime soon again. Just sayin’.
"Errors of opinion may be tolerated where reason is left free to combat it."
-Thomas Jefferson
by thinwhiteduke on Jan 7, 2009 1:20 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
yeah...
he and Edgar Gonzalez both, as far as overachieving 2008 Padres go
"Sweeney's a white Andre Ethier."--a white, drunk Billy Beane
by Cutthemullet on Jan 7, 2009 1:24 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Plus he played a good CF.
In fact…..
It's not the results, it's how you look going about those results -- Tim McCarver
by WaddellCanseco on Jan 7, 2009 7:07 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
oh, shit
Jody Gerut resurfaced in SD last year…I forgot about that. I was thinking of 2004-2005 Cleveland Jody Gerut, the one who supposedly had a sophomore slump, even though there wasn’t a whole lot to slump from in his rookie year…
and the Gerut comparison was meant to be a loose one, so don’t go throwing LD rates at me. But if you do think you can mount a case for 2009 Travis Buck over 2009 Jody Gerut, by all means, try.
"Sweeney's a white Andre Ethier."--a white, drunk Billy Beane
by Cutthemullet on Jan 7, 2009 1:20 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
heh...
2009 Buck over ’09 Abreu
"Sweeney's a white Andre Ethier."--a white, drunk Billy Beane
by Cutthemullet on Jan 7, 2009 1:21 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
I think I could...
but it would depend on Buck’s health. And that is rather an unfair assumption to be sure.
"Errors of opinion may be tolerated where reason is left free to combat it."
-Thomas Jefferson
by thinwhiteduke on Jan 7, 2009 1:23 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Abreu has declined more than I thought
I live in NY state, so I see the Yankees more than I would like…so it surprises me to see that Abreu’s OPS has sunk as low as it actually has (.814 and .843 the past two years). This is admittedly beneath what I assumed (~.875); so I partially retract what I said. Why only partially? Well, I’m not sold on Buck…
"Sweeney's a white Andre Ethier."--a white, drunk Billy Beane
by Cutthemullet on Jan 7, 2009 1:35 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
OK
Per the Staturday post, Buck projects as a slightly above average hitter with good defense in a corner OF. Overall he’s probably in the neighborhood of 5-10 runs above average.
Abreu projects as around 20-25 runs above average with the bat and 15-20 runs below average in the field.
If you think Travis Buck is healthy, he’s probably a better player than Bobby Abreu. Abreu is an epic faceplant defensively.
Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.
by PaulThomas on Jan 7, 2009 1:33 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Apparently Abreu hasn't been Abreu since 2006...
and because of that, I’m going to back down a little bit here
"Sweeney's a white Andre Ethier."--a white, drunk Billy Beane
by Cutthemullet on Jan 7, 2009 1:39 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
if we're going to sign another OF
I’d rather it be Kenny Lofton. No, seriously. He would be a cheap, league avg (at worst) CF. My guess is that he’d be worth 1.5-3 WAR, and he could play ANYwhere in the outfield. He has the speed of Rajai, but he can actually hit as well. Sure he’s old, but we’re talking bench OF.
Of course, I don’t advocate us singing ANYMORE OF’s or DH’s or 1b. If we sign or trade for someone else, please let it be an SS (hello O Cab) or an SP.
"I'm on hold for now"- Bobby Crosby
by DyeLongJustice on Jan 7, 2009 2:05 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
I don't want 40-year-olds who took a year off
We have no idea what kind of shape he’s in these days.
by thejd44 on Jan 7, 2009 4:01 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
When I wanted Lofton was last year
I was sorry the A’s didn’t bring him in instead of Emeeeeeeeel.
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 Jan 7, 2009 7:55 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
They might have been able to leave Carlos in the minors longer.
It's not the results, it's how you look going about those results -- Tim McCarver
by WaddellCanseco on Jan 7, 2009 8:03 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
I want to keep Barton
we can still put him at AAA, and the guy has hit everywhere he’s played but last year in MLB. The thing is, guys, he’s still young, and his value is lower than it could be. If we trade Barton (and with the nats, other than Zimmerman, I don’t know what for), and Giambi sucks/gets injured, we are now screwing ourselves over and we’ve just sold lower on Barton than we should have. Count me as in the camp to keep Barton, sign O Cab, and laugh at Abreu.
"I'm on hold for now"- Bobby Crosby
by DyeLongJustice on Jan 7, 2009 1:32 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
Barton does seem redundant with Carter though. Doolittle provides Carter insurance.
Not to mention 1Bs grow like weeds.
It's not the results, it's how you look going about those results -- Tim McCarver
by WaddellCanseco on Jan 7, 2009 7:08 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
ah
but Carter hasn’t gotten above A+ yet, and Doolittle is no certain stud. Barton is still the best polished player right now, just is lacking the power upside, but has better plate discipline. My guess is that both Carter and Barton will be similar in value during their major league careers, but Barton is more of a sure thing at this point (he’s actually in the majors, at least). Carter is good, but unproven.
"I'm on hold for now"- Bobby Crosby
by DyeLongJustice on Jan 7, 2009 7:40 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Sure but there are 1B all over the place. It's middle IF and C that are rare.
It's not the results, it's how you look going about those results -- Tim McCarver
by WaddellCanseco on Jan 7, 2009 7:51 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
I don't see how Abreu would make any sense at all
except as part of a larger plan involving other moves. He’s roughly comparable to Giambi, except he’ll probably be more expensive, and there’s now even less playing time and space on the roster available.
Thanks for tomorrow 'cause I've had enough
by andeux on Jan 7, 2009 2:06 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
Orlando Cabrera
Would it be possible to do what the Blue Jays did with Shannon Stewart?
Sign Cabrera to a Minor League contract, which would pay him $7 million if he makes the MLB team out of spring training? Thats simular to what the Blue Jays did with Stewart, which resulted in us not getting a Draft Pick, despite Stewart making the team, because he signed a minor league contract.
Cabrera might not like the idea much, but if its the choice between that or no contract at all, he’d probably take it right?
facepalm.jpg
by Zonis on Jan 7, 2009 2:17 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
that is a way around the pick compensation
but someone is gonna start to get all fired up when teams start ducking the rule via minor league signings.
"I'm on hold for now"- Bobby Crosby
by DyeLongJustice on Jan 7, 2009 2:25 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
I believe the technical term for that would be "fraud"
Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.
by PaulThomas on Jan 7, 2009 2:34 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
But what happens if Cabrera is still unsigned in 6 weeks when pitchers and catchers report?
At that point, it’s reasonable that a minor league deal might be all he can get. I don’t know if people would really complain then. The A’s take the risk of another team signing him by waiting, but it could be worth it.
by thejd44 on Jan 7, 2009 4:03 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
How is that fraud?
The monster at the end of this blog.
by grover on Jan 7, 2009 4:42 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Signing a contract with an under-the-table agreement, even an implied one,
that the two parties will work together to exploit a loophole in the rules is fraud. It’s a basic misrepresentation of what the contract is for, and it obviously flouts the purpose of draft pick compensation if players and teams can collude to evade it any time they want to.
Allowing that contract would end free agent compensation at a stroke. Every player would simply sign a quote-minor league contract-unquote and take a kickback of cash from the team in return for allowing them to keep their draft pick.
Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.
by PaulThomas on Jan 7, 2009 4:57 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Guess I'm not getting your point
A MLB team can sign a player to a minor league deal that includes language/terms for what the player would earn if he made the bhig league club.
If Cabrera signs a minor league deal with a team it would be after he failed to land a mlb deal with ANY club. It sounds as if you’re assuming Cabrera would sign a minor league deal over a big league deal just to screw the White Sox.
The monster at the end of this blog.
by grover on Jan 7, 2009 5:12 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
It's not "just" to screw the White Sox
It’s for his own benefit.
Say the A’s decide their pick is worth $1 million. They tell Cabrera “Look, we’ll sign you for $7 million, but you know, we’d really like to keep that draft pick. So how about you sign here for, nudge nudge, wink wink, a minor league deal, and we’ll give you $7.5 million instead.” They win, Cabrera wins.
Assuming he trusts the team about playing time (and why wouldn’t he— the A’s gain nothing from leaving him in the minors), why would he not take the extra money? It’s a freebie from his perspective— the loser is the White Sox, who are cut out of the deal.
Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.
by PaulThomas on Jan 7, 2009 5:24 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
They would also have to guarantee the major league money,
either officially or unofficially. Otherwise Cabrera would be running the risk that he gets injured in spring training and ends up with nothing.
Thanks for tomorrow 'cause I've had enough
by andeux on Jan 7, 2009 5:35 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Sure, but there's nothing stopping him from signing a 7.5M/7.5M "split" contract
Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.
by PaulThomas on Jan 7, 2009 7:00 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
And wouldn't this only work for a one year deal?
Any free agent that wants more than one year wouldn’t be able to do this, I don’t think.
by thejd44 on Jan 8, 2009 10:51 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Sure they can
You can sign a minor leaguer to any contract you want to, it’s just that no one normally bothers to sign them to deals of more than one year.
Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.
by PaulThomas on Jan 8, 2009 11:45 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Can someone explain to me why we want Milledge?
He is a horrible defender isnt he?
I believe he is below average at the corner outfield positions and absolutely terrible in CF.
Thus, he has zero value?
www.punditpolitics.com - Political IQ Tests, Pundit Blog, News and Opinion.
by ChadGod on Jan 7, 2009 2:44 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
He projects as a league-average player next season even with the defensive deficiencies
which, I might add, aren’t any worse than Barton’s (a +5 defender at first and a 0 defender in RF are essentially the same value).
He’s only age 24, and he has tools out the wazoo.
Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.
by PaulThomas on Jan 7, 2009 2:55 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Milledge wouldn't play RF if he was traded for though.
by mikev on Jan 7, 2009 3:03 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
A -10 in CF is also equivalent positional value
Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.
by PaulThomas on Jan 7, 2009 3:31 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Positional adjustment
The CF adjustment is +2.5 runs, so 2.5-10=-7.5
The RF adjustment is -7.5 runs, so -7.5+0=-7.5
The 1B adjustment is -12.5 runs, so -12.5+5=-7.5
Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.
by PaulThomas on Jan 7, 2009 5:04 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
So in your opinion he would our best CF option if we traded him? Im just not sure whatd wed use him for exactly
Sounds as though his value = Sweeney but with higher upside.
I will say, I’m a huge Milledge fan and I was pissed when I found out he sucked at defense. Also, another reason to trade for Milledge is that he was on fire during the second half of last season:
Before the break: .245/.312/.368 in 302 ABs
After the break: .299/.355/.488 in 221 ABs
…interesting.
www.punditpolitics.com - Political IQ Tests, Pundit Blog, News and Opinion.
by ChadGod on Jan 7, 2009 3:05 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
So did Carlos Gonzalez
And the A’s didn’t much want to keep him around. I don’t think they want Milledge still.
by thejd44 on Jan 7, 2009 4:04 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Press Conference?
Why does Giambi get a press conference and Holiday does not? Is it because Holiday was acquired via trade?
by FlagsFlyForever on Jan 7, 2009 3:30 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
Holliday had a press conference
Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.
by PaulThomas on Jan 7, 2009 3:31 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Keep Barton Trade Sweeney
Barton has a track record of success in the minors, and can be a legitmately good 1B for years to come. Sweeney, despite being a huge guy, has never shown any power at any level in the minors. Trade him while his values still a little high, for a SS who can fill the gap while we wait for a good prospect. Ben Zobrist of Tampa Bay and Jeff Keppinger of Cincy come to mind.
"Sometimes Joe (morgan) doesn't like facts to get in the way of his opinions."- billy beane
"That was a great pick...if this was 2002" Me, to guy who selected Barry Zito in a fantasy draft
by harendaman365 on Jan 7, 2009 4:06 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
Zobrist and Keppinger are bad fielders though.
It's not the results, it's how you look going about those results -- Tim McCarver
by WaddellCanseco on Jan 7, 2009 7:11 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Keppinger is adequate, he wont kill you
Zobrist has been consistently described as a good fielder, in pretty much everything I’ve read
"Sometimes Joe (morgan) doesn't like facts to get in the way of his opinions."- billy beane
"That was a great pick...if this was 2002" Me, to guy who selected Barry Zito in a fantasy draft
by harendaman365 on Jan 9, 2009 10:52 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Zobrist doesn't have the skills to play shortstop
Believe me, if he did, he’d be playing over Jason Bartlett, whose hitting can best be described as “feeble.” The Rays tried it in 2007, and he couldn’t hack it.
Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.
by PaulThomas on Jan 9, 2009 11:51 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Zobrist has always been a good hitter in the minors
He was simply overmatched in07 but looked good this year hitting .256 wuth 12 homers, weird because he was always a low power high average guy in the minors. He could combine his newfound power with his high average he had in the minors to be a good SS, or could be a valuable utility guy. Bartlett’s only SS for TB because he’s an exceptional fielder
"Sometimes Joe (morgan) doesn't like facts to get in the way of his opinions."- billy beane
"That was a great pick...if this was 2002" Me, to guy who selected Barry Zito in a fantasy draft
by harendaman365 on Jan 10, 2009 5:29 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Soo
You would keep Barton over Sweeney because Sweeney hasn’t shown power in the minors? I’d take a CF without power over a 1B without power.
I actually prefer Barton as a player to Sweeney, but not because of power potential or lack thereof.
by DiegoAsFan on Jan 7, 2009 7:38 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Sweeney hasn't shown
any secondary skills that make him more than a fourth outfielder. all he does it hit for an ok average, and get on base at an ok rate. no power, no stolen base ability, unspectacular walk rate, and average defensively. Thats not a starter, thats a fourth outfielder.
Barton however has shown great on base ability and adequate (not great) power. He projects as a Mark Grace type .300/.400/.500 hitter with a bunch of doubles and say, 15-20 homers. Thats pretty valuable
"Sometimes Joe (morgan) doesn't like facts to get in the way of his opinions."- billy beane
"That was a great pick...if this was 2002" Me, to guy who selected Barry Zito in a fantasy draft
by harendaman365 on Jan 9, 2009 10:56 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
If ya trade Barton or Sweeney…you have to trade them both..together. I don’t think they can function without one another. How could the A’s break up such a lovely couple?! ; )
by ilovegregsmith on Jan 7, 2009 4:16 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
the same way
the WHite Sox broke up Sweeney and Anderson
by jeffro on Jan 7, 2009 4:39 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Though let me quickly mention..I like them both. I want to keep them both :)
by ilovegregsmith on Jan 7, 2009 4:16 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
And you lost Greg. That should be enough sacrifice.
It's not the results, it's how you look going about those results -- Tim McCarver
by WaddellCanseco on Jan 7, 2009 7:12 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
I like the idea of adding Abreu.
Say we sign him and end up with 6 guys (Abreu, Buck, Holliday, Giambi, Sweeney, Cust) that we would like to see starting and only 5 positions for them. Does anyon realy think we will see more than a dozen days during the season where all 6 are healthy and playable?
As for trading Barton, I say no way. It feels too much like Carlos Pena all over again. Remember Carlos? .218 and 7 HRs in his rookie year so we sent him packing, only to watch him grow in to an MVP candidate and Gold Glove 1st baseman? I say send Barton back to Sacramento for a year and give him one more shot in 2010.
by Titus on Jan 7, 2009 5:52 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
the problem with Abreu
is that his defense hurts his value significantly. Sure, he can play DH i suppose, but we have cust and giambi to do that already. if they get injured, then plug in someone (Barton) while they are injured I suppose, but signing abreu will cost someone valuable MLB experience time.
"I'm on hold for now"- Bobby Crosby
by DyeLongJustice on Jan 7, 2009 6:07 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Well Pena needed more than a year to turn into the player he is now. It was about five years.
It's not the results, it's how you look going about those results -- Tim McCarver
by WaddellCanseco on Jan 7, 2009 7:12 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Also we traded Ryan Ludwick for Pena.
It's not the results, it's how you look going about those results -- Tim McCarver
by WaddellCanseco on Jan 7, 2009 7:13 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
And it took both half a decade and multible teams to become good
facepalm.jpg
by Zonis on Jan 7, 2009 7:22 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Yes
Amazing that each team sold low on a player and yet neither team benefitted from the other team selling low, because they themselves later bailed on the guy they acquired. I won’t say the A’s sold low on Pena, since Lilly was pretty good (and would have been better still if not for Schott’s idiotic directive to hold payroll down, forcing him to be sold for pennies on the dollar)
Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.
by PaulThomas on Jan 7, 2009 8:32 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
TWSS
It's not the results, it's how you look going about those results -- Tim McCarver
by WaddellCanseco on Jan 7, 2009 7:53 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
twssotm
ha!
"My group runs some frogloks down the hall to finish them off and POP! RASTER! If there was a way to scream louder than caps in EQ I was doing it. Man I am straight panicking because I know I have NO CHANCE soloing and the party has run off. I'm in my hotel room; it's like 5am, and I am straight hollering, in EQ and in real life. Bottom line is the group comes back, heals me, and kills Raster! WOOT!" -Curt Schilling on his favorite memories in the video game "EverQuest"
by travdog6 on Jan 7, 2009 8:21 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
seconded
That was well done, WC.
This is hardball! This is where we overreact! @('.')@
by monkeyball on Jan 7, 2009 8:31 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
wow smoltz to red sox
<a href=“http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/”
Smoltz Leaning Towards Red Sox
By Cork Gaines [January 7 at 9:33pm CST]
In addition to Rocco Baldelli, Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe is reporting that the Red Sox may be close to signing John Smoltz.
As of last night, sources indicated that Smoltz was leaning toward Boston’s offer which was said to be somewhere in the vicinity of $5.5 million guaranteed with the opportunity to earn a few million in incentives which could hike the salary up to $10 million. The Sox and Smoltz have been talking since before the Winter Meetings. The Sox do not anticipate that Smoltz will be ready until later in May, but one of the incentives being discussed would be a roster bonus if he’s with the team by June 1.
Smoltz will be 42 in May and made $14MM with the Braves last season.
by Asfan4ever723 on Jan 7, 2009 7:46 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
Sounds like a good flyer for Boston. Penny, Baldelli, Smoltz.
These injured guys are good risks if you’re not actually counting on them.
It's not the results, it's how you look going about those results -- Tim McCarver
by WaddellCanseco on Jan 7, 2009 7:52 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Rocco Baldelli is reporting that the Red Sox may be close to signing John Smoltz?
"When I was a kid, having someone correct your grammar was a sign that they cared and wanted you to present yourself in the best possible light. That being said, you should really learn the difference between plurals and possessives." -- RS
by oblique on Jan 7, 2009 10:42 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
doesnt read like that to me....
www.punditpolitics.com - Political IQ Tests, Pundit Blog, News and Opinion.
by ChadGod on Jan 8, 2009 12:36 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Actually, when I posted my comment, I expected someone to point out that I read it that way because it's written that way
au contra ire
by JediLeroy on Jan 8, 2009 3:46 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
No one ever expects the English disquisition!
a man has to have something to help the petite vanilla bean scones go down @('.')@
by monkeyball on Jan 8, 2009 3:52 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
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