The Most Interesting A's Deals: The Ones Beane HASN'T Gotten In On
by Nico on Dec 22, 2009 1:09 PM PST
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PrintIf only the A's could upgrade SS from Pennington to a good defensive SS with some pop in his bat. Someone like JJ Hardy.
The A's young rotation could really use a solid veteran in the middle of the rotation, someone good enough that combined with Braden and Anderson, suddenly competing in 2010 would even start to look less impossible. Someone like Javier Vasquez.
Not only have recent -- if not current -- ideal targets been traded this off-season, what stands out is for how little they have been traded.
Not that Jamey Carroll and Coco Crisp wouldn't make a killer 3-4 in the middle of any batting order, but start talking about Hardy and Vasquez and my interest piques just a smidge more. The asking price for Hardy was Carlos Gomez, while Melky Fricking Cabrera was the headliner for the deal bringing Vasquez back to the Bronx.
So let me understand: The A's are stockpiling CFers about as good as Gomez and Cabrera, instead of acquiring shortstops who can field while hitting 20+ HRs and starters FIP rates as 3rd best in the entire National League in 2009?
I honestly would have thought that due to his defense Hardy, despite his recent batting woes, would require more in trade than he did. And I guess the Vasquez trade must come down to a salary dump, because that is one heckuva starting pitcher to pick up without going "ouch" over the players you gave up. Even Curtis Granderson, a CFer who plays very good defense and slugs almost .500, went for less than I would have guessed he would.
How are these guys going for so little? And why aren't the A's in on it?
EDIT -- 2:07pm PDT. OK, I wrote this kinda fast when I saw there was nothing new up today, and hadn't fact-checked enough to realize that Vazquez has only one year left on his contract, and that Vizcaino's pedigree is more significant than I recalled. So forget the Vazquez part of this post, and focus on Hardy and Granderson. And, of course...Brandon Inge!!!!!
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I feel like I've read something like this before.
They call their best player "Kung Fu Panda" and they complain that people aren’t taking them or the game seriously enough? -Nick
I feel like I've made a comment like this before.
"Sniff some krazy glue, and start a religion!"- The Reverend Billy Lard
by Gaijin_Suketto on Dec 22, 2009 3:15 PM PST up reply actions
The A's aren't really trying
2015 is the new date for the A’s to try to win games. Right now they’d like to sell some tickets without spending too much money. They’d also like to see how many “Rookie of the Year” winners they can produce and then trade for 17-yr-olds.
Yuck! I'll be ready for AARP then.
It's not the results, it's how you look going about those results -- Tim McCarver
by WaddellCanseco on Dec 22, 2009 2:13 PM PST up reply actions
Double-A relief pitcher?
I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal
I'll be the next Jim Morris...but then even more.
It's not the results, it's how you look going about those results -- Tim McCarver
by WaddellCanseco on Dec 22, 2009 2:16 PM PST up reply actions
Not for nothin'...
… but the reason Melky Cabrera is the “headliner” in the Vasquez trade is likely because ESPN sucks at reporting. They neglect to mention in the headline that the Braves acquired Arodys Vizcaino, whom Keith Law says immediately becomes one of the top 5 prospects in the Braves’ system and profiles as a potential #1 or #2 starter. Also, as far as I can tell, this is Vasquez’s last season, so you’’re giving up that highly-touted prospect for a 1-year rental.
I’m not trying to sound defeatist, but it doesn’t look like the A’s will exactly be taking the league by storm next year. I don’t see much point in acquiring veteran players— and giving up any sort of value to do so— if playoff contention is out of the question. These are the types of moves you make when you’re on the cusp.
by Joey C. on Dec 22, 2009 1:32 PM PST reply actions 1 recs
Eh, the Vazquez trade was not one that I'd want to be a part of
A roughly equivalent package from the A’s would be something like Rajai Davis, Michael Ynoa and Brad Kilby. Plus Davis’s 2010 salary.
For one year of Vazquez at full price? Nah. Not interested.
O'Hara: Detective Lassiter is literally on fire.
Spencer: What kind of fire are we talking about-- "Michael Jackson in the Pepsi commercial" fire, or "misusing the word literally" fire?
Same, as acknowledged below.
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
You really think...
the A’s should trade a top 5 prospect, another useful player, and absorb $8 million in salary for a 33 year old pitcher with one year (+ an option I think) left on his contract? Sounds sort of similar to the Holliday trade, and people seem pretty against trying something like that for this year. If the A’s traded, say, Michel Ynoa and Ryan Sweeney for one year of Vazquez, I think people would be pretty upset.
True -- I should have stuck with Hardy and Granderson
as deals I’d like the A’s to have gotten in on, not Vasquez, who would be nice to add in a vacuum but not in fact given his contract length, amount, or quality prospect going the other way.
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
and Polanco
or Iwamura.
They call their best player "Kung Fu Panda" and they complain that people aren’t taking them or the game seriously enough? -Nick
Agreed on Hardy
It seems like Beane’s making the opposite mistake he usually does with Pennington — letting a handful of major league atbats trump all the minor league evidence that he’s not much of a hitter. As for Granderson, the Tigers got a great deal for him. Scherzer’s a beast.
Well, yeah
That deal was good for both the Yankees and Tigers, thanks to Arizona’s decision to trade two good pitchers for two significantly worse ones.
O'Hara: Detective Lassiter is literally on fire.
Spencer: What kind of fire are we talking about-- "Michael Jackson in the Pepsi commercial" fire, or "misusing the word literally" fire?
Vazquez doesn't have an option
He would’ve made sense if he was under control beyond 2010.
"I generally avoid temptation unless I can't resist it" ~ Mae West
On the other hand,
how about Henry Rodriguez and Matt Sulentic for Brandon Morrow? The A’s could become the Wilford Brimley All-Stars!
Probably an unfair comparison, because Seattle is a division rival, but… boy, not liking the Morrow return. This is the first Z-man move that I really don’t agree with. League is mediocre despite big-time stuff, and the other guy seems to have some real issues with plate discipline.
O'Hara: Detective Lassiter is literally on fire.
Spencer: What kind of fire are we talking about-- "Michael Jackson in the Pepsi commercial" fire, or "misusing the word literally" fire?
Yeah, I'm not sure what that deal is about.
They call their best player "Kung Fu Panda" and they complain that people aren’t taking them or the game seriously enough? -Nick
Yeah
No idea what’s going on there…
"To tell the truth, I'm not excited to go to Cleveland, but we have to. If I ever saw myself saying I'm excited going to Cleveland, I'd punch myself in the face, because I'm lying" - Ichiro
by Philip Christy on Dec 22, 2009 1:49 PM PST up reply actions
It seems like Jack Z is getting rid of Bavasi's guys...
just because they were Bavasi’s guys. I mean, most of those guys were scrubs and should be cut-loose for whatever he can get for them, but I thought that last season, Morrow showed some real promise and has a hell of an arm.
I would’ve liked to hear that the A’s inquired on him, that’s for sure.
I'm never gonna do it without the fez on!
Does seem like a bit of a purge, doesn't it
About the only remaining M’s starters who were acquired by Bavasi are Saunders, Lopez, Johnson, and Felix Hernandez.
O'Hara: Detective Lassiter is literally on fire.
Spencer: What kind of fire are we talking about-- "Michael Jackson in the Pepsi commercial" fire, or "misusing the word literally" fire?
Is this one os those,
“I don’t like people who were here before me” kind of new-management things? Of course that usually happens with more immediate employees (like “traveling secretary” and “Asst GM” would be in this business).
I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal
The spin I've read...
… is that this is another move to contend right now (the reasoning being that Morrow is a “project” and League can help “right now.” Their words, not mine). Still, seems a little silly to me. If what you want is some mediocre right-now help, seems to me you can pick that up on the free agent market without having to give up a commodity like Morrow.
Maybe they think he’s a huge injury risk or something.
+1
I can see that being their reasoning, but that just doesn’t make sense. League’s potential worth next year doesn’t come close to Morrow’s. I mean the guy’s been worth 1.5 WAR over his career and Morrow could easily reach that next season…
I think it’s much more likely that they value Chavez pretty highly and are enticed by the power potential…
"Did you know you can comment on Athletics Nation from your phone or PDA? SB Nation has launched mobile commenting. Check it out next time you’re at the game or bar and have something to say."
by stranahanahan on Dec 22, 2009 7:35 PM PST up reply actions
They must really dislike Morrow for some reason. It's not his fault they picked him over Lincecum.
It's not the results, it's how you look going about those results -- Tim McCarver
by WaddellCanseco on Dec 22, 2009 2:02 PM PST up reply actions
Wait, they traded Morrow?
Dang, Z is moving like crazy. I can’t keep up.
There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, Than are dreamt of in your philosophy.
Maybe Z has faith in the staff he's put together to turn League around
For all I rip on Kenny Wililams, he has a really good pitching coach in Don Cooper, and he’s had some successful reclamation projects with the White Sox (Thornton, Jenks, etc.). Maybe Z has been told by his coaching staff that they can fix League.
www.zekeishungry.com
by thejd44 on Dec 22, 2009 5:50 PM PST up reply actions
I really believe Kenny Williams is one of the more underrated GMs
He’s generally skewered as “an idiot!!!!111” yet he has both identified many good bargains (Thornton is a great example) and put together winning teams multiple times. Is he perfect? Far from it. Should he get credit for everything that has gone right? No. But the guy has actually done some very smart things along the way.
I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal
He's one of the lesser GMs in baseball.
They call their best player "Kung Fu Panda" and they complain that people aren’t taking them or the game seriously enough? -Nick
Given the low esteem in which KW is held
by the Moneyball crowd, there is plenty of room for both Nico’s and Mike’s statements to be correct.
I feel pretty confident that he’s not as bad as he’s generally made out to be. Still not sure if he’s above average.
There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, Than are dreamt of in your philosophy.
Well, I mean
I don’t think I have him down on the list with, say, Dayton Moore, Ed Wade, Sabean, etc… he’s probably the next cut above that though.
I mean, he DID win the World Series, but it’s kinda hard to credit him with like every pitcher on his team having a ridiculous career year all at the same time, etc.
They call their best player "Kung Fu Panda" and they complain that people aren’t taking them or the game seriously enough? -Nick
Why not?
Sabean gets discredited because Liriano, Bonser, and Nathan all had a ridiculous career year at the same time. (Well, OK, maybe Nathan’s was for real, but still.)
There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, Than are dreamt of in your philosophy.
Because that was possibly one of the worst trades of all time
They call their best player "Kung Fu Panda" and they complain that people aren’t taking them or the game seriously enough? -Nick
Right, but part of the reason it was the worst
is because in 2006 Liriano had an out-of-his-head career year and Bonser was uncharacteristically non-sucky. That’s not so different from the White Sox rotation all having good years in 2005.
True, it was still a bad trade because Nathan >> Pierzynski, but not as epically bad as its reputation.
There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, Than are dreamt of in your philosophy.
It was only an out of his head career year because he got hurt after.
The dude put up a 4 WAR season in his first full year in the big leagues.
They call their best player "Kung Fu Panda" and they complain that people aren’t taking them or the game seriously enough? -Nick
But making trades is often a guessing-game
On who stays healthy and who gets hurt. This is probably what motivated Byrnes to trade Scherzer, for example. You can’t count Liriano’s hypothetical production in a case he was healthy for last three years against Sabean in that trade.
I agree with this placement of him
He’s not in that truly awful, “doesn’t deserve his job” rung by any means. He’s clearly intelligent and at least has plans that (usually) make some kind of sense.
www.zekeishungry.com
by thejd44 on Dec 23, 2009 12:58 PM PST up reply actions
Exactly -- he's not terrific but not awful
On AN, I’m constantly reading about how awful he is.
I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal
I'm pretty sure in his tenure, he's made more moves than anybody in baseball
Although that number can be skewed since he’ll obviously have more than guys with less time on the job (and it may not be true anymore, but was a few years ago), it shows that he does A LOT.
He’d better have a few wins if he’s going to haphazardly make moves the way he does.
For every Quentin (and that cost him Carter, anyway) or Thornton, I’d say there’s at least 3-5 Todd Ritchie/Billy Koch moves he’s made.
That said, the 2010 White Sox are gonna be really, really awesome in 1999.
www.zekeishungry.com
by thejd44 on Dec 22, 2009 6:07 PM PST up reply actions
Their haul for the Vazquez trade was pretty hefty
Much better than I would have expected, but he really seems to jump at the idea of making a deal.
I think they’ll really come to regret that Peavy deal in a few years…
"Did you know you can comment on Athletics Nation from your phone or PDA? SB Nation has launched mobile commenting. Check it out next time you’re at the game or bar and have something to say."
by stranahanahan on Dec 22, 2009 7:37 PM PST up reply actions
And then he undoes it by trading Nick Swisher for squadoosh because he got pissed off at him.
O'Hara: Detective Lassiter is literally on fire.
Spencer: What kind of fire are we talking about-- "Michael Jackson in the Pepsi commercial" fire, or "misusing the word literally" fire?
the mark teahen deal was masterful though
They call their best player "Kung Fu Panda" and they complain that people aren’t taking them or the game seriously enough? -Nick
I think it was semi-stupid
Teahen was ultimately, considering his salary, a zero value player. He’s a butcher at 3B, not that great at RF or any other defensive position he’s played, and doesn’t have a good enough bat to make up for it.
Getz and Fields aren’t much, but the fact that Getz = Teahen, except making league minimum and has decent upside, tips the deal towards stupid.
The extension, on the other hand, indefensiblly stupid.
"I generally avoid temptation unless I can't resist it" ~ Mae West
I know. I was being totally sarcastic.
It was dumb, and it blocks Brent Morel.
They call their best player "Kung Fu Panda" and they complain that people aren’t taking them or the game seriously enough? -Nick
A:"Rios's contract + Mark Teahen"
Q: What are two things that no one wants and would have been either released or DFA’d or rotting on a bench for many years until KW came along?
BUT YOU GUYZZZ!!!
Rios had, like, 70 RBIs last year, and Teahan is 7 for 10 with a home run when there’s a RISP and Ozzie Guillen isn’t yelling at one of his playerzzz!!!
These guys would be our best hittersss!!!
"Did you know you can comment on Athletics Nation from your phone or PDA? SB Nation has launched mobile commenting. Check it out next time you’re at the game or bar and have something to say."
by stranahanahan on Dec 23, 2009 1:20 PM PST up reply actions
I think it's important to point out that
Rios had a whopping 70 RBIs!!!!!!! while Jack Cust only had 70 RBIs!!!!!!!
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
Vazquez was never an option
His contract with the Braves allowed him to veto a trade to any West Coast team. Some reports had him nixing a possible trade with the Dodgers, before the Yanks came calling.
by OaklandSi on Dec 22, 2009 1:51 PM PST via mobile reply actions
Hardy
Would have been nice.
RIVER CATS: AAA CHAMPS!
Yes he would have.
It's not the results, it's how you look going about those results -- Tim McCarver
by WaddellCanseco on Dec 22, 2009 2:03 PM PST up reply actions
Curtis Granderson would have been nice too
They did get Michael Taylor though. Credit where credit is due.
It's not the results, it's how you look going about those results -- Tim McCarver
Definitely.
Imagine adding Granderson, Hardy, and Inge and you have yourself a contender — and given what Granderson and Hardy cost, and what Inge likely would (mostly salary), you wonder how much the A’s would have had to give up to assemble that crew.
I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal
They can still get Inge.
They don’t really have anyone that’s comparable to Carlos Gomez or Austin Jackson in the eyes of the teams that acquired them. I’m not that enamored of either so it’s a bit frustrating.
It's not the results, it's how you look going about those results -- Tim McCarver
by WaddellCanseco on Dec 22, 2009 2:10 PM PST up reply actions
Wait, Nico
Should the A’s trade for Inge?
That’s the first I’ve heard you talk about him…
"Did you know you can comment on Athletics Nation from your phone or PDA? SB Nation has launched mobile commenting. Check it out next time you’re at the game or bar and have something to say."
by stranahanahan on Dec 22, 2009 7:38 PM PST up reply actions
Brandon Inge!!!!!!!
I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal
The Vazquez trade reminds me,
The Yankees have too many SPs now with Mitre and Gaudin on the outs. Now’s the time to bring back Chad! It’d probably only take a C prospect to pry him away. I’m sure the yanks are looking to restock the system a little after their Granderson/Vazqeuz trades.
Chad could be a decent option for someone. Maybe Seattle or Anaheim.
I don’t think I’d trade more than a C prospect for him, and the Angels and Mariners probably would.
It's not the results, it's how you look going about those results -- Tim McCarver
by WaddellCanseco on Dec 22, 2009 2:13 PM PST up reply actions
yeah, but if you brought back Chad and Duke, that'd leave you with
1 – Duke
2 – Braden
3 – Anderson
4 – Gaudin
5 – Cahill/Gio/Mazzaro/Outman
That’s a sneaky good rotation.
Damn that whole Gaudin is good
myth refuses to die. He’s been atrocious except for ONE half-season. Don’t let his overall track record affect anything tho. GAUDIN for 4th starter!!!
This year
he pitched 147 inning with 139 K’s and an FIP of 4.16. That sounds like a pretty damn good 4th starter to me.
It sounds like what people here think Dallas Braden is.
It's not the results, it's how you look going about those results -- Tim McCarver
by WaddellCanseco on Dec 22, 2009 2:51 PM PST up reply actions
hadn't considered that
pitcher 1: 136 IP, 81K, 42 BB, 3.73 FIP
pitcher 2: 147 IP, 139K, 76 BB, 4.16 FIP
one is a #1 pitcher and one TOTALY SUCKORZ!!!!
I don't think anyone who seriously stops and thinks about it
would call Braden a #1 pitcher. That’s just insane.
O'Hara: Detective Lassiter is literally on fire.
Spencer: What kind of fire are we talking about-- "Michael Jackson in the Pepsi commercial" fire, or "misusing the word literally" fire?
Imagine intimating that Braden was a #1 back around this time in '07
You’d have gotten hung by the chimney with care.
I was nearly lynched for intimating that Dallas Braden was even a competent pitcher after 2008
I can’t even really take credit for that one. A 2-second glance at the guy’s FIP said he had been ridonkulously unlucky in his MLB career and would likely be a solid pitcher going forward.
That said, his FIP is still at basically the same “solid pitcher” level that it’s always been at. So, yeah. Not a #1 pitcher.
O'Hara: Detective Lassiter is literally on fire.
Spencer: What kind of fire are we talking about-- "Michael Jackson in the Pepsi commercial" fire, or "misusing the word literally" fire?
hung by the chimney
Wow, you know there’s gotta be a NSFW image of that out there somewhere. But I’m not going to go looking for it.
There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, Than are dreamt of in your philosophy.
Yeah, OK I lied.
Curiosity got the better of me.
It’s not as bad as I thought. Google images made it all the way to picture 14 before anything dirty turned up, and even that was remarkably tame.
It’s only borderline NSFW, but since it really is a workday, I’ll play it safe with just a link.
There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, Than are dreamt of in your philosophy.
Depends on the definition of "#1"
I do predict the A’s will have him pitch opening day, so in that sense he’d be our #1.
I agree that he’s not our best though, and probably not our second best either.
There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, Than are dreamt of in your philosophy.
No
When people talk about a pitcher being “a #1 starter,” they do not mean “the opening day starter for a particular team” unless they are being deliberately obtuse. That’s the kind of Orwellian language manipulation used by marketing directors to try to lure fans into buying season tickets.
O'Hara: Detective Lassiter is literally on fire.
Spencer: What kind of fire are we talking about-- "Michael Jackson in the Pepsi commercial" fire, or "misusing the word literally" fire?
And yet, dozens of out-of-town commentators
WILL be that obtuse. If Braden does indeed pitch opening day, they’ll all be calling him our “#1”.
For the record, I knew exactly what you meant. I only intended to point out that others out there will use the term differently, confusing matters by calling a guy our “#1” even if he’s not the best.
There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, Than are dreamt of in your philosophy.
I think if we're talking number one starter
my money is on Brett Anderson at this point. But that’s just me…
Zeigler to Geren…."A-Rod? He’s my bitch." -alox
While I love 209
He is NOT a #1 in the rotation, unless of course your rotation sucks.
"Tonto think Billy Beane need to make team full of squirrels and bears."
by OptimistPrime on Dec 22, 2009 5:41 PM PST up reply actions
For a brief moment in time
Gaudin was unhittable.
That train left the station a looooooong time ago
"Tonto think Billy Beane need to make team full of squirrels and bears."
by OptimistPrime on Dec 22, 2009 5:42 PM PST up reply actions
He was almost exactly as valuable starting this year
As he was with Oakland in ’07 in terms of per IP.
"Did you know you can comment on Athletics Nation from your phone or PDA? SB Nation has launched mobile commenting. Check it out next time you’re at the game or bar and have something to say."
by stranahanahan on Dec 22, 2009 7:45 PM PST up reply actions
Duke's not coming back
From the sounds of things, all reports keep saying that he’s saying with a new team this week…
"Did you know you can comment on Athletics Nation from your phone or PDA? SB Nation has launched mobile commenting. Check it out next time you’re at the game or bar and have something to say."
by stranahanahan on Dec 22, 2009 7:40 PM PST up reply actions
I hope it's an east coast team in the NL.
by LoneStranger on Dec 23, 2009 8:50 AM PST up reply actions
I'm guessing Yankees.
There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, Than are dreamt of in your philosophy.
I stand corrected
Olney reports that there’s a fair chance he could still sign with us.
I’d provide the link, but it’s ESPN insider…
"Did you know you can comment on Athletics Nation from your phone or PDA? SB Nation has launched mobile commenting. Check it out next time you’re at the game or bar and have something to say."
by stranahanahan on Dec 23, 2009 11:54 AM PST up reply actions
They could use some more catching depth
Recker, maybe?
O'Hara: Detective Lassiter is literally on fire.
Spencer: What kind of fire are we talking about-- "Michael Jackson in the Pepsi commercial" fire, or "misusing the word literally" fire?
Sigh.
Nobody truly appreciates Francisco Cervelli.
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
Mrs. Cervelli does
"Tonto think Billy Beane need to make team full of squirrels and bears."
by OptimistPrime on Dec 22, 2009 5:43 PM PST up reply actions
They could also use an OF to replace Melky. Hairston?
It's not the results, it's how you look going about those results -- Tim McCarver
by WaddellCanseco on Dec 22, 2009 2:25 PM PST up reply actions
Send them Buck and Hairston -- "they're one OFer combined!"
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
0-4
It's not the results, it's how you look going about those results -- Tim McCarver
by WaddellCanseco on Dec 22, 2009 2:38 PM PST up reply actions
Blogging For Dummies: How To Write A Bad Post
1. “I should write something so there’s something new to read on the front page.”
2. “Hey, the Vazquez trade was finalized.”
3. “Vazquez would be a great fit in the A’s current rotation.”
4. “Of course, JJ Hardy would have been a great fit in the infield.”
5. “And Granderson in the OF.”
6. “Man, players who would help the A’s a lot right now keep getting traded elsewhere.”
7. “I should really start writing something…”
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
Braves still need an OF. Buck/Hairston could still end up there.
They don’t really have much in the way of extra SS/3B, though, so another team would have to be involved.
It's not the results, it's how you look going about those results -- Tim McCarver
by WaddellCanseco on Dec 22, 2009 2:22 PM PST up reply actions
Hmm...Maybe we can settle for their backup catcher,
but ask that they also throw in Yunel Escobar.
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
So do the Yankees, actually.
RAJAI DAVIS FOR AROD + CASH
They call their best player "Kung Fu Panda" and they complain that people aren’t taking them or the game seriously enough? -Nick
I'd do it without CASH
It's not the results, it's how you look going about those results -- Tim McCarver
by WaddellCanseco on Dec 22, 2009 2:26 PM PST up reply actions
nah.
We don’t need a third baseman OR a shortstop, especially one that’s such a weak hitter.
Sock puppets have never been able to successfully attack castles. -NM
by Leopold Bloom on Dec 22, 2009 2:52 PM PST up reply actions
no grit.
Sock puppets have never been able to successfully attack castles. -NM
by Leopold Bloom on Dec 22, 2009 2:54 PM PST up reply actions
yeah but he got to bang madonna.
They call their best player "Kung Fu Panda" and they complain that people aren’t taking them or the game seriously enough? -Nick
Like you'd turn either down?
They call their best player "Kung Fu Panda" and they complain that people aren’t taking them or the game seriously enough? -Nick
Self-deprecation saved you from some serious OP snark Nico ;)
"Tonto think Billy Beane need to make team full of squirrels and bears."
by OptimistPrime on Dec 22, 2009 5:44 PM PST up reply actions
About Javier Vazquez...
The guy had it written in his contract that he could veto a trade to any NL West or AL West team. He forced a trade out of Arizona less than a year after the D’backs traded for him, as was his right since he was traded to Arizon by the Yankees a year after he signed a multi-year contract with them.
He doesn’t want to play his home games out here, which means Oakland never had a chance to acquire him.
The monster at the end of this blog.
This post would have been meaningful
if you had actually told me what the trades that happened are. Or at least linked to a news story. I gather from your observations that a Vasquez trade and a Hardy trade happened, but I’m still not clear on the details. Not all of us sit around watching MLBTR or ESPN all day, you know.
Sure, I know I could go searching and find it pretty easily, but hey, I was hoping you’d at least give me a summary rather than start talking about a trade as if everyone already knows about it. Call me lazy.
There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, Than are dreamt of in your philosophy.
oops, meant to say "more meaningful"
Lazy AND a lousy proofreader.
(Going to go look for the Brandon Morrow trade now.)
There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, Than are dreamt of in your philosophy.
im sure you already know about it but just in case
www.mlbtraderumors.com will give links to all stories and the categorize it pretty easily. not the most trust worthy source maybe, but it gives someone a place to start
Laziness and poor proofreading tend to go together, I think.
www.zekeishungry.com
by thejd44 on Dec 22, 2009 6:23 PM PST up reply actions
Honestly, iglew, your observation is only about the 8th worst thing
about this post, which if it were a horse would have been put out to the glue factory, if it were Chavez would have been shot by a gang of “non-Mexican haters,” and if it were Crosby would have still been less of a whiff.
And JJ Hardy was traded about 2 months ago.
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
What? That can't be right...
If this post were Chavez it would still be penciled in for a starting spot in next year’s blogging lineup.
O'Hara: Detective Lassiter is literally on fire.
Spencer: What kind of fire are we talking about-- "Michael Jackson in the Pepsi commercial" fire, or "misusing the word literally" fire?
This post feels better than it's felt in years.
www.zekeishungry.com
by thejd44 on Dec 22, 2009 6:24 PM PST up reply actions
Its November, 2010
Crisp’s option has just been exercised, and G.Desme (have we figured out if his name is Greg or Grant yet?) and Corey Brown have raced into AAA. Michael Taylor and Chris Carter have thrown up OPSs of 1000+ at AAA and we have so many outfielders its not funny.
Every CF in MLB has gotten a year older, there’s bound to have been some injuries to some and there will be teams (the white sox immediately come to mind) looking for one. Lets check the market shall we?
Willie Bloomquist (33)
Jody Gerut (33)
Willie Harris (33)
Jason Michaels (35)
Corey Patterson (31)
Willy Taveras (29)
(THIS IS NOT AN EXAGGERATION, THIS IS THE CF MARKET)
Random, CF-needing GM sees said list and says: “Oh shit, well that’s a terrible group. Who’s available for trades? Lets go around and see who’s available…”
Thats when this dude spins around dramatically and holds his chin to make sure you see his baller-ass watch and says “O RLY? A CENTER FIELDER IS WHAT YOU SEEK, EHHHHHHH????”
“LET ME GIVE YOU A TOUR OF MY SHOWROOM….OVER HERE WE HAVE THE YOUTHFUL, GOOD LOOKING ATHLETE-TYPE WHO HITS AT A LEAGUE AVERAGE RATE BUT HAS A GOOD CEILING, HE’S MUCH, MUCH BETTER THAN MELKY CABRERA, WHO WAS JUST TRADED FOR THE GUY WITH THE 3RD HIGHEST FIP LAST YEAR.”
R.Sweeney: “Good day to you sir” /takes off running and makes a sweet catch and somehow lines a hard single to right-center in the same motion.
“HARK! BUT LOOK OVER HERE, ITS A COST CONTROLLED COCO CRISP! DOES MY USE OF ALLITERATION HYPNOTIZE YOU? IT SHOULD DO! HE’S ALL YOURS FOR 2011 AND HE’S ALSO BETTER THAN MELKY CABRERA. HE ALSO GOES BY THE NICKNAME “COOKIE”, IF THERE IS A COMPANY IN YOUR TOWN THAT MAKES COOKIES, THE COMMERCIAL TIE-INS ARE ENDLESS. LOOK, HE EVEN LOVES TO EAT COOKIES!"
C. Crisp: /eats cookies from bag. Andruw Jones materializes next to him, grabs the bag from him, inhales the bag and disappears while laughing manically.
C. Crisp: “Aw crumbshucks”
“DO YOU THINK I AM EVEN CLOSE TO FINISHING THIS? NO! HERE IS RAJAI DAVIS, A SHORT STOCKY GUY WHO IN AN EFFORT TO GET TEH AWESOME, ONCE WENT THROUGH A RIGID VOODOOO CEREMONY WHICH INCLUDED RUBBING RICKEY HENDERSON’S 939 BAG ALL OVER HIS BODY AND EATING A BAG OF LOU BROCK’S TOENAILS”
R.Davis: “yummy yummy yummy yummy YAAHHHMAAAA”
/is wearing a chain of Melky Cabrera’s teeth
/smashes a triple, then runs back to first so he can steal second then third, then scores on a wild pitch.
“yummy yummy yummy yummy YAAHHHMAAAA”
“WE ALSO HAVE SCOTT HAIRSTON.”
S. Hairston: “ouch, hi, oh cmon, help out ol’ scotty, you gotta! im just trying to make ends meet! I’ll play that centered field for you, Im getting better at hittin righties I swear! C’mon sir, my marriage is hanging by a thread, ol’ scotty needs a home. Im definitely better than Melky Cabrera, although he’s a swell guy I dont wanna badmouth him, yeah you should probably just sign him instead of me, he was a Yankee and Im just ol’ Scotty”
/makes puppy dog eyes
/begrudgingly plays better than Melky Cabrera
/Frank Wren’s eyes well up with tears.
“LASTLY WE HAVE GENETICALLY MELDED TWO BORDERLINE EVERYDAY PLAYERS INTO A SUPER FRANKENSTIEN EVERYDAY CF! MEET AARVIS BUCKINGHAM!”
A.Buckingham: “uuughhhhhhhhhhghgaarrrrrrrrrghARGHGHHHHH”
/plays better than Melky Cabrera
“SO…..REMEMBER WHEN YOU SAID I WAS A FOOL FOR SIGNING CRISP AND STOCKPILING ALL THESE CENTER FIELDERS? IM NOT MUCH OF A FOOL NOW AM I???? NOW GIVE ME PLAYERS THAT ARE MUCH BETTER THAN THESE ONES, YOU DO IT NOW! YOU DONT WANT BRIAN ANDERSON OUT THERE DO YOU?”
/Dayton Moore signs Brian Anderson to 6 year deal
D. Moore: “hey guys, whats going on?”
by PL78 on Dec 22, 2009 3:43 PM PST reply actions 21 recs
This is like The Dugout
I rec’d it. Why haven’t you all rec’d it? Rec it!
"[Sabean] said Kevin Pucetas maintains some value on the trade market, which they take as a positive sign that he’d be a productive option."
by CaliforniaJag on Dec 22, 2009 4:02 PM PST up reply actions
Hairston sounds like Gill off the Simpsons
Is this the real life-
Is this just fantasy-
Caught in a landslide-
No escape from reality-
YOU WIN!!!
The quiz, my heart, etc
Seriously how incredible is that film? I watched it with some friends (great party movie btw) the other day and we pondered if it could even be made today without costing $500MM. Its so epic, ever scene is in a different setting, and theres random amazingness such as David Spade has his stunts done by Tony Hawk! Thats like Raj Davis getting Frank Thomas as his stuntman, LOL! Also the quoted scene above is just such a classic as well…
I love that movie
You have pre-SNL David Spade as a skate board punk, pre-Basic Instinct Sharon Stone as a newspaper reporter, Mahoney super gluing the megaphone to Harris’ mouth, the Simon Says bit where the prisoners escape, the hot air balloon chase, Zed’s poetry reading with the old ladies, and of course the scene you used for Rajai. It’s been a long time since I’ve seen any of the first three Police Academy movies, but I feel safe in saying #4 was my favorite by far.
RIP Nick Adenhart
Jesus christ, sometimes you come up with some funny shit.
This is one of those times.
They call their best player "Kung Fu Panda" and they complain that people aren’t taking them or the game seriously enough? -Nick
Sigged my favorite part, too
This was awesome
"HARK! BUT LOOK OVER HERE, IT'S A COST CONTROLLED COCO CRISP! DOES MY USE OF ALLITERATION HYPNOTIZE YOU?" (PL78)
by CaliforniaJag on Dec 22, 2009 5:08 PM PST up reply actions
But you sigged the part with my one quibble.
“Hark” means listen, not look. Should be “Lo”. Billy wouldn’t get that wrong.
There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, Than are dreamt of in your philosophy.
While I agree that there's parts of this Id love to slightly change
The number 1 rule of comedy is that the less you know about whatever youre writing, the funnier it is. This right here is the perfect example of what I mean.
also, just re-reading it now
That part that says “DO YOU THINK I AM EVEN CLOSE TO FINISHING THIS? NO!” is actually directed at myself, as I knew I was “on a roll” so to speak and this post was getting really long. That’s just a really odd thing to throw in there, I have no idea why I went with it, other than it looking kind of funny to read.
That would explain why I suck at comedy.
I’m not funny at all.
There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, Than are dreamt of in your philosophy.
rec'd, but
You left out the part where our record was 70-92 and Chase Utley and Jayson Werth have hit more HRs together than our entire team combined
"Do I talk to myself? No, I just remind myself of what I'm trying to do. You know, I never answer myself so how can I be talking to myself?" - Rickey
by cuppingmaster on Dec 22, 2009 5:35 PM PST up reply actions
my favortie part
smashes a triple, then runs back to first so he can steal second then third, then scores on a wild pitch
You have to include smiley faces - Poppy
;- ) :- ) :-O : -> : -] : -}
I know this post was mostly in jest (and good job with that)
But I’m not sure if the White Sox needing/wanting an OF is serious or not.
Unless they make moves, in 2011 their starting OF will be the same as 2010 (Pierre, Rios, Quentin). They really don’t have the need, at least from their perspective.
www.zekeishungry.com
by thejd44 on Dec 22, 2009 6:25 PM PST up reply actions
If you honestly think Rios is going to play an adequate CF all year for the chisox
then surely you jest.
whether he does or he doesn't, he's under a nearly untradably bad contract
The Bluejays were pretty delighted he got picked up on waivers, by all accounts
I suspect that you think tilting at windmills means something other than what it does.
I like the Crisp signing much more now
Amazing application of alliteration!
They say nothing is impossible, but I do nothing all the time!
Alliterates and Illiterates: The New Undervalued Commodities!
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
Travis Buck working with Swisher and Yankees hitting instructot
spoke to onetime A’s right fielder Travis Buck yesterday about the most recent influx of outfielders, which presumably pushes him down the depth chart again, but Buck has a good attitude about the whole thing: He said that if he goes out and does what he’s supposed to during the spring, either the A’s will want him or someone else might.
To that end, Buck has been working with ex-A’s outfielder Nick Swisher and Yankees hitting coach Kevin Long. Buck has all but eliminated his famous “waggle” and he said that for the first time, he’s really incorporating his lower body into his swing. That gives him more power, Buck said. (And that’s certainly something the A’s could use.) He’s very happy with the results.
Buck said his agent heard some rumblings during the winter meetings that some other teams might have interest in him but A’s GM Billy Beane didn’t express interest in parting with him.
Read more: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/blogs/athletics/detail?&entry_id=54003#ixzz0aUFSiKUG
I was hoping you meant that Buck was under the guidance
of a tater tot.
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
Better if you use the blockquote feature
so that it’s more clear that Susan Slusser is talking, not you. As written it sounds like you’re the one who spoke with Buck yesterday.
There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, Than are dreamt of in your philosophy.
This reminds me of Crosby working with Holliday and McGwire
Turned out just great.
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