Attempting to Understand the A's Offseason
by Tyler Bleszinski on Dec 22, 2009 5:01 PM PST
428 comments
I'm sitting here watching the MLB Network and the 1974 World Series and wondering when our A's will return to the promised land. So strange to see the Coliseum back then and realize that it wasn't always such an eyesore. Also, did you know that Bill Russell, the Dodgers' shortstop, was doing the jump in the hole throw thing long before Jeter was? This would be like suddenly finding out that Dr. J was doing the tongue out thing that Jordan was long before he was. Nevertheless, onto the topic at hand.
The Yankees and Phillies got to the World Series this year in many ways in spite of their pitching not because of it. The Phillies had the ninth best ERA for starting pitching while the Yankees were more middle of the pack. Course both of the offenses were ridiculous, making the pitching almost moot when it comes to winning.
I was caught off guard by Nico who called me the other day while I was shopping at Babies R Us for our upcoming child and told me that I will also be expecting a Coco Crisp in 2010 along with a new son. I was seriously baffled by this turn of events. But I think if you look at Billy Beane's track record, you'll understand where he's going. Maybe...
If the A's decide to keep Rajai Davis, the Oakland team looks to have a plus defender in almost all positions around the field except third base. And it remains to be seen what Beane will do with third. It's possible you could see him make a move on Adrian Beltre, especially if he's ranking defense very highly, which is really the only way the Coco Crisp signing makes any sense.
Beane said to me in several interviews that power was one of the most expensive commodities to acquire out on the open market. Ironic that power is the one thing that Jack Cust does provide, albeit with a lot of warts that come along with that. But I think that it tells me that the A's are looking to groom their own power from within (or in a deal). The Chris Carter and Michael Taylor's of the world. The A's are hoping that guys like Carter and Taylor who are hopefully the answer because right now, there is not much power.
I do think that Beane is clearly looking at things like defense and even stolen bases. I mean hell, if you don't have any power on your team, at least have some speed so you can turn all those slap singles into doubles and go first to third, etc. Crisp is right about at that 75 percent average in terms of success in stealing bases and if you average out his averages over 162 games, he steals about 27 bases and gets caught nine times. He and Rajai at the top of the lineup will at least, in small part, make up for the lack of power. Course if Rajai is dealt, there goes that argument.
Now interestingly enough, the A's had a pretty fantastic second half of the season last year and they ranked 25th in home runs after the All Star break. So the team clearly was able to score runs despite the power outage. Course the A's also had the most doubles, so they did have power, only not long ball power.
So while it remains to be seen what the A's will do the rest of this hot stove season as I really wasn't anticipating the A's trading Brett Wallace (however it clearly did tell me that the A's didn't think he would stick at third) or definitely didn't think they would sign Coco Crisp or release Jack Cust, I think the team definitely has an exciting edge to it now. It's got fantastic defensive players in nearly ever position. And remember this team had the third best ERA in all of baseball last year. An improved defense behind these young pitchers and another year of experience for them can only mean good things for pitching and defense. What is it they always saying about pitching and defense? Oh yeah, that's right, it wins championships.
Speaking of pitching...Andrew Bailey is now on MLB Network as the 74 Series ended long ago, which probably means it's time for me to end this. Remember one thing. The A's have always been one of the more active teams later in the free agent season the last few years. I was kind of hoping we could truly go with the youth this year, but with the Crisp signing, it looks like the team is still trying to plug perceived holes. Buckle up for the rest of the offseason. It should be a fun ride if you can understand what is happening. I'm not 100 percent sure I do.
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What the hell do you know, newbie?
I watched that ‘74 game, too, and also noted the changes that the Coliseum has gone through over the years. Besides the outfield (which is huge) and the diamond-level seats, I didn’t notice really anything else. I will grant that Mt. Davis really sucks, so JUST that would be bad enough
The crowd now…those were some interesting clothes the Oakland-ites in ’74 were sporting.
Sock puppets have never been able to successfully attack castles. -NM
...like the Raiders now?
Sock puppets have never been able to successfully attack castles. -NM
by Leopold Bloom on Dec 22, 2009 4:11 PM PST up reply actions
and do you think it had anything to do with leisure suits?
Sock puppets have never been able to successfully attack castles. -NM
by Leopold Bloom on Dec 22, 2009 4:12 PM PST up reply actions
I really hate the old background behind homeplate
it is so plain and boring.
You have to include smiley faces - Poppy
;- ) :- ) :-O : -> : -] : -}
Hot pants??
There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, Than are dreamt of in your philosophy.
Who wears short shorts?
I wear short shorts hides face in shame…
Green and Gold Lantern Corps
by oaklandSMASH on Dec 23, 2009 1:03 AM PST up reply actions
hot pants qualify as interesting.
Definitely.
Sock puppets have never been able to successfully attack castles. -NM
by Leopold Bloom on Dec 23, 2009 9:08 AM PST up reply actions
Dick Green!
That double play Dick Green started to end Game Four was spectacular.
I don’t get picking up Coco at all. There’s no way they’ll play Coco, Rajai and Ryan at the same time. That’s like 30 HR from the entire outfield. They can’t afford that. They’ve got to be putting a package together to move some outfielders. That’s the only thing that make sense.
I’ll be sad to see him go, but I gotta figure they’re planning on trading Rajai. And Hairston.
Why, oh why didn’t he go after JJ Hardy?
30 HR from the outfield?
I will be surprised if those 3 combine for 20. Half will probably come from Sweeney if he stays healthy (HA!).
You have to include smiley faces - Poppy
;- ) :- ) :-O : -> : -] : -}
They might not even get 10 combined
CuttheMullet, from "The Thread":
"Whenever I’m about to do something, I think "would an idiot do that?" and if they would, I do not do that thing."
See Doc!!
The meaning of life is not so much 'found,' as it is 'made.' --Opus
by The Dogfather on Dec 23, 2009 10:47 AM PST up reply actions
I'm starting to wonder about this Crisp thing...
We’re nearing on 72 hours and nothing remotely concrete has been reported regarding the Crisp signing. The origin seems to be the Tim Dierkes post on MLBTR around midnight CST on the 20th. Everything else seems to have used Dierkes as the source.
I’m thinking either MLBTR got bad information or the A’s aren’t going to pull the trigger on the signing until another deal(s) is completed involving other A’s OFs.
by nobodyinparticular on Dec 22, 2009 4:49 PM PST reply actions
It was on the A's MLB.com page, was it not?
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?
It was.
I think it’s happening, just not “news” until the contract is signed, since the rumor is already out there.
I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal
His signing has been temporarily snowed out.
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
(But there's snow doubt he'll be signing)
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
Wait, you mean he's Tim Raines?
"And Julio Franco is batting right-handed!" -- Wayne Hagin, A's radio play-by-play, mid-80s
Steve Howe.
Sock puppets have never been able to successfully attack castles. -NM
by Leopold Bloom on Dec 22, 2009 8:50 PM PST up reply actions
Did you know that if you put Tim Raines in the freezer for an hour,
he becomes J.T. Snow?
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
that's one of those insider things, isn't it?
you and your fancy science…
I guess I wouldn’t trust in anything if it weren’t for monster truck shows.
Sock puppets have never been able to successfully attack castles. -NM
by Leopold Bloom on Dec 22, 2009 8:57 PM PST up reply actions
If you put those in the freezer,
you get Michael Taylor. With Ted Williams’ head. It’s weird, and also all my fault (of course).
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
nononono
You don’t admit fault until a week or less before spring training starts.
It’s how we know the season’s upon us.
Now you’re just gonna confuse everyone.
Good job, Nico.
Sock puppets have never been able to successfully attack castles. -NM
by Leopold Bloom on Dec 22, 2009 9:00 PM PST up reply actions
Dude, we should totally go to a monster truck rally.
I’ve long thought that would be fun, but on the rare occasions I dare mention it to any of my friends, they just stare at me like I’ve turned into an alien. Then after a long pause they say something like, “I can’t tell if you’re being serious.”
There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, Than are dreamt of in your philosophy.
I worked at what amounted to a group home for a few years.
We got free tickets once and was forced to go by my boss.
It was not exactly a good environment for the kids. Lots of consumption, lots of fist fights.
It was a lot like a Raiders game, but with more big trucks and less football.
Sock puppets have never been able to successfully attack castles. -NM
by Leopold Bloom on Dec 23, 2009 9:10 AM PST up reply actions
so, like a Raiders tailgate, then
I suspect that you think tilting at windmills means something other than what it does.
yes, actually,
though that was the part of the Raiders experience I really enjoyed. Tailgating at the Raiders game was a lot of fun. Experiencing the Raiders game on top of Mt. Davis was…well, frightening.
Sock puppets have never been able to successfully attack castles. -NM
by Leopold Bloom on Dec 23, 2009 9:35 AM PST up reply actions
Sounds great!
I suspect that you think tilting at windmills means something other than what it does.
These days, the tailgating beats the game every time.
Well almost every time. I mean when that dude behind us threw up at halftime, that was pretty cool.
I'm here to talk about the past.
the season is almost done....
and then we can start doing A’s tailgates again! WOO HOO!!! :)
There's no crying in baseball!
AND I might even be in town!
Sock puppets have never been able to successfully attack castles. -NM
by Leopold Bloom on Dec 23, 2009 10:12 AM PST up reply actions
Oh, that doesn't sound fun any more.
I just wanted to watch the big trucks, not drunken brawls.
I guess it’s back to the ballet for me. Sigh.
There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, Than are dreamt of in your philosophy.
I'll go with you.
I’m mean enough looking that people generally leave me be.
Sock puppets have never been able to successfully attack castles. -NM
by Leopold Bloom on Dec 23, 2009 10:37 AM PST up reply actions
or maybe it's crazy-enough looking...
Sock puppets have never been able to successfully attack castles. -NM
by Leopold Bloom on Dec 23, 2009 10:38 AM PST up reply actions
Holy shit, you too, huh?
Right now I’ve got a pornstache and a goatee and Elvis sideburns.
Next week I’m going to shave it all off. I’ve got some nice cocktail dresses picked out for my New Years’ parties, and I’d hate to go butch.
"Sniff some krazy glue, and start a religion!"- The Reverend Billy Lard
by Gaijin_Suketto on Dec 24, 2009 12:42 AM PST up reply actions
Stewart: "What really needs to be clear is it wouldn't have mattered if there was an earthquake or not. We were going to beat the Giants.
by Elvez on Dec 22, 2009 10:18 PM PST up reply actions 1 recs
it was on espn too
that they were on approaching an agreement, it actually surprised me that it made the front page considering who’s involved
Slusser update
Crisp’s physical delayed; Travis Buck update
Crisp physical flight delay
Buck working on his swing with Swisher and Yankees batting coach.
Beane wont trade buck, but prefers tobury him further in the depth chat
I’m hearing that Coco Crisp was having a tough time getting from his home near Palm Springs to Phoenix for his physical because of a flight delay, so any announcement is on hold for the time being.
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?blogid=21&entry_id=54003#ixzz0aTACfIOA
Why on God's green (and gold) earth
would Beane not want to trade Buck if there were interest? That sounds a bit postur-y to me, since the OF depth chart is so favorable towards moving ANY OFer who doesn’t have 30 HR potential, and the A’s still have rather glaring holes on the left side of the infield (and veteran SP).
I have to think that if a team offered a decent solution for 3B, SS, or SP for Buck, then Travis would be gone, gone, and gone.
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
anyone inquiring about buck right now is looking to scoop him up for cheap
i still think buck can be an above average corner OF, i’d rather send him down to AAA than trade him for scraps.
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
I agree about not trading him for scraps
But if he could be one of those “additional pieces” that can help land a Headley or a M. Izturis, I wouldn’t hesitate to pull the trigger. NSJ had a great post/comment about how the A’s are skilled at stockpiling “slightly above average” talent to use as trade chips. Buck, Cunningham, and Hairston, along with Wuertz, Ziggy, and Blevins/Kilby/Breslow, could all be put in that category.
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
thanks Nico
I agree that the A’s eventually will make a trade from the OF/RP surplus they’ve built up.
I think the A’s are really skilled at hoarding “above replacement level” but not quite “slightly above league average” players. I’d put Oakland’s ultra-cheap bullpen and 26-40 of their 40-man roster up against any team in the league, and many of those players are guys who were neglected by their former team or even the rest of the league – castoffs like Breslow, Meloan, Wuertz, etc.
Eventually, this “skill” of the A’s front office forces them to consolidate 45 players who deserve to be on an MLB 40-man roster into 40, with trades like the Holliday/Hairston deals.
At this point, though, I’m skeptical that any of the assets the team actually wants to trade – I’m thinking specifically of Buck and Hairston – have built up enough value to make dealing them prudent.
Batting 4th for the 2014 San Jose A's: 26-year-old RF Justin Upton, in the 1st season of a nine year, $250M deal.
by notsellingjeans on Dec 22, 2009 5:39 PM PST up reply actions
OK I can't let this go anymore
Chase Headley and Maicer Izturis are two completely different concepts. Headley is a young guy, barely past prospect status. Izturis is a known mediocrity who’s a year away from free agency. They should not be spoken of in the same sentence.
I’d pay like 5 times as much for Headley as Izturis. Izturis is bordering on useless for the A’s right now— I’d probably rather play Cliff Pennington, to be honest. And on top of that, it would involve giving talent to a division rival. Gag.
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?
These are the times I wish I could reveal inside stuff I know,
but sadly I cannot (or will not). It would put you in your place nicely, though.
I will, however, point out that you use Chase Headley and Maicer Izturis in the same sentence — in the very same paragraph where you say no one ever should. ZOMG!!!!!!!
Anyway, if you think I believe Headley and Izturis to be of equal or comparable value, you are mistaken. But then again, if you think acquiring a player always means giving the team they came from one of your players, you are also mistaken.
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
In other words
you’re proposing the A’s give cash for Izturis or think he may be released? And the Angels would do this because?
CuttheMullet, from "The Thread":
"Whenever I’m about to do something, I think "would an idiot do that?" and if they would, I do not do that thing."
Because I said so
"Their batters are patient to the point that it's annoying." -Ryan Franklin
by Helloooo 1st on Dec 22, 2009 9:13 PM PST up reply actions
I'm not proposing anything
Over the years, sometimes I know about deals the A’s are trying to make, or have tried to make, and if the deal doesn’t happen sometimes nobody hears about it.
For example, I knew the A’s were pursuing Holliday several weeks before the trade went down; had the trade never happened, you may never have known that Holliday was a serious target.
Similarly, I know the A’s pursued _ but it didn’t happen, and almost had a deal worked out to swap _ for _ and _ but it fell through, and so on.
In other words, I know of some targets, and some deals, the A’s have pursued and come close on over the years, that never got reported on because no deal ever happened. And I have to be careful not to bring any of that knowledge into my online discussions.
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 don't see how knowledge in this situation would put PT in his place
If at this moment (or in the very recent past), the A’s were seriously considering giving up something for value for Izturis, well, I agree with PT. Gag.
www.zekeishungry.com
Well, just to avoid contributing to the "rumor mill,"
let me say I’m not suggesting that specifically.
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 really not trying to find out what you know
But, again, I guess I just saw PT as giving his opinion on the value of those two players and what he thinks each is worth and his reaction if the A’s were interested.
Maybe it’s the “put you in your place” part I don’t get. I don’t see how ANY inside information would make what he said wrong, unless it’s “You didn’t think the A’s would do something like ____ but they wanted to/tried to/are thinking about it/whatever.”
www.zekeishungry.com
It's kinda like that, I guess.
I don’t really want to have a conversation where I’m cryptic and that’s the only one I can have here, so I’m going to go to bed instead. Sorry I brought it up, but I’m not going to delete it now because that’s even worse!
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
None of my posts are ever in the vein of "I think the team is going to do x"
Normally, that’s because it’s a. a waste of time, and b. a great way to constantly be wrong about things (and, well, I don’t like being wrong very much).
It also has the added benefit of not being “trumpable” by inside info…
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?
My (admittedly too strong) reaction stemmed from
feeling like your original comment was way over the top and unnecessary, when I was not even suggesting that Headley and Izturis were of comparable value.
But I think you seriously underrate Maicer Itzuris. He’s an accomplished defensive 2B/SS with a career line of .278/.343/.393.
That’s basically Marco Scutaro’s career line (marginally better on each stat, actually), only Izturis is younger and offers more speed. Do you think Pennington will match any of those three stats, let alone all of them?
You might not feel it’s worth acquiring Izturis with only one year left on his contract, and you may not feel it’s worth it to allow the Angels to receive talent (from you or a third party) in a trade, but that doesn’t mean Izturis is some mediocre “do not want” kind of talent. He’s better than that.
I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal
Is he like super injury prone or something?
Dude’s played more than 100 games only twice in 5 seasons, and he’s never had more than 400 PAs in a season
They call their best player "Kung Fu Panda" and they complain that people aren’t taking them or the game seriously enough? -Nick
No, he's stuck behind "organization man crush" Erick Aybar
as much as anything. Kendrick and Aybar have been given the role of “every day starter” up the middle, with Izturis relegated to the Scutaro role of “3rd middle INF” without ever having had the chance to play every day — even though he’s good enough.
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'd take him in a second to play 3B.
Right now the starter there is Jake Fox, backed up by Aaron Miles. Also it would mean no need for a backup SS on the major league roster. They could carry Patterson, Fox and Hairston/Cunningham.
It's not the results, it's how you look going about those results -- Tim McCarver
by WaddellCanseco on Dec 23, 2009 9:31 AM PST up reply actions
I'm not sure why
But I think that is pretty much exactly what Pennington will do with the bat.
www.zekeishungry.com
I'm not so sanguine on Pennington
I think he makes a good backup SS and pinch-runner
I agree that, all things being equal, I would rather have Izturis than Pennington starting
if all I cared about was winning games in 2010.
Combine that, however, with “helping division rival” and “impending free agent” and it’s a no go. I’d much rather give the job to Pennington for this season, and then (if he can’t hack it) sign Izturis NEXT offseason. I think there’s a reasonable chance that Pennington is as good as Izturis (eh, 30%? Something like that…). They’re actually amusingly similar players.
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?
you need an alias.
Sock puppets have never been able to successfully attack castles. -NM
by Leopold Bloom on Dec 22, 2009 9:27 PM PST up reply actions
Hmm...I think Cindi needs one more than I do
I guess I could come up with one like “OaklandA23” or 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
Bruce Wayne
Never takes off his mask. Clark Kent never puts his glasses back on. But has Nico finally revealed who OaklandA23 is? Because I thought it was oaktoon this whole time.
"Their batters are patient to the point that it's annoying." -Ryan Franklin
by Helloooo 1st on Dec 22, 2009 9:29 PM PST up reply actions
I don't think that was either of us.
I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal
GoatMan69?
CuttheMullet, from "The Thread":
"Whenever I’m about to do something, I think "would an idiot do that?" and if they would, I do not do that thing."
Yes?
I mean, who?
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
Something about Vince Horsman
but the info is kind of old.
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
something about him
being half man and half horse…
Or was that Billy Centaur?
"Sniff some krazy glue, and start a religion!"- The Reverend Billy Lard
by Gaijin_Suketto on Dec 24, 2009 12:43 AM PST up reply actions
Well.
B) Whether the A’s were proposing something or not, you said “But then again, if you think acquiring a player always means giving the team they came from one of your players, you are also mistaken.” So you are proposing something, maybe the source comes from somewhere else, but you’re making an argument of some sort. The Angels sure as hell aren’t giving him away for free, so there has to be a logic to it. Odds are neither of the two actions happened because the Angel’s management are idiots.
A) I don’t really see how things you can’t talk about are relevant. If you can’t bring it up, there’s no argument that can really be made about it and whether its true or not is kind of irrelevant. I’m not asking for sources, nor do I particularly care about sources that are “secret”. I especially don’t care about ideas (sources or not) that aren’t even spelled out. Why? Because when nothing’s spelled out it just becomes an esoteric meandering that quickly loses it’s meaning. But that’s just me.
C) I wish I had a C, but I don’t. But today, B comes before A, but A still comes before C. I can’t really say why because my sources won’t like me saying so, but just trust me, there’s a good reason (*pst… the reason is just cause).
CuttheMullet, from "The Thread":
"Whenever I’m about to do something, I think "would an idiot do that?" and if they would, I do not do that thing."
Well I agree with C.
Regarding A, here’s how it can happen (theoretical scenario follows):
The Angels are willing to deal Brandon Wood to the Red Sox but not to the A’s. So they deal him to the Red Sox, who turn around and immediately flip him to Oakland to complete a 3-way deal the Angels didn’t even know the A’s were a part of. The Red Sox, not the Angels, end up with the A’s players, and the A’s end up with an Angels player. I think this is talked about in Moneyball, actually.
I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal
Well played
That would definitely be an option #3 that didn’t occur to me.
CuttheMullet, from "The Thread":
"Whenever I’m about to do something, I think "would an idiot do that?" and if they would, I do not do that thing."
It's not really any different though
Either way, it benefits the division rival (they wouldn’t do their part of the trade if they didn’t think they were improving their team).
Whether they do so literally with players who were formerly under contract with Oakland is irrelevant. The reason why you don’t trade with division rivals isn’t that “you don’t want them to get ‘your’ players,” it’s that trades with in-division opponents are much more zero-sum than other trades.
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?
I wasn't suggesting it was a good idea
just that he thought up of a way in which the Angels could theoretically get nothing from us while we’d get something from them other than the two ideas I had above, both of which would be crazy for the Angels to intentionally do.
In this sort of situation, IF the Angels and Red Sox were actually going to do that trade regardless of us, we might as well try to benefit too. But otherwise, yeah, you wouldn’t want them to improve themselves.
CuttheMullet, from "The Thread":
"Whenever I’m about to do something, I think "would an idiot do that?" and if they would, I do not do that thing."
But it still elevates both of you
relative to the rest of the division. And anyway, I’m starting to think the Angels are looking like the #3 team in the division next year.
There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, Than are dreamt of in your philosophy.
No trade is ever completely zero-sum
but the more zero-sum it is, the less likely it is that two teams can line up a trade which they feel projects to improve both of them.
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?
Okay.
Trading players has nothing to do with zero-sum.
This goes to our earlier disagreement over numbers and quantifying everything. A trade can (and, in a perfect world, should) be a positive thing for both teams, depending upon what the team already has and what the team needs.
Sock puppets have never been able to successfully attack castles. -NM
by Leopold Bloom on Dec 23, 2009 10:51 AM PST up reply actions
Every trade has a zero-sum element to it
The exact extent of that zero-sum element varies.
If I trade a player to a team in the opposite league that I don’t play during interleague, then the zero-sum element only comes into play if I face them during the world series, in which case there’s a slight downgrade in my world series win percentage.
If it’s a team that I play during interleague, it also involves a very slight decrease in my regular season win percentage.
If it’s a nondivisional opponent in the same league, it has a larger decrease in regular season win percentage, a noticeably higher likelihood of losing the wild card to that team, and a higher likelihood of losing to the team in the playoffs.
Finally, if it’s a divisional rival, it causes a comparatively large decrease in regular season win percentage, a severe decrease in odds of winning the division, and slightly lower odds of winning an LCS against that team.
Those are direct consequences of trading a player to those classes of team. If those consequences outweigh the benefits to be achieved from making the trade, then I will not make the trade. Even if the trade is “a positive thing” for both teams in some abstract sense, I’m not going to make it if it means I’m less likely to win a title.
A trade between two teams is necessarily zero-sum as between those two teams. In an idealized league of only two teams, all trades would be zero-sum. The closer two teams’ relationship is to that idealized two-team league, the more zero-sum trades between them become.
It is predictable (and true) that the further apart two teams are from direct head-to-head competition for playoff spots, the more likely they are to deal with one another. Teams fighting head-to-head in a division with a bunch of weak siblings will almost never trade with one another. Teams in a jumbled division with no clear favorite are more likely to make a swap. Teams in opposite leagues are significantly more likely to trade than teams in the same league.
None of this has the slightest bit to do with “numbers and quantifying everything,” as it’s purely game-theoretical. It applies to any game with a similar setup, not merely baseball.
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?
So you're actually saying that game theory has nothing to do with quantifying anything.
k.
Sock puppets have never been able to successfully attack castles. -NM
by Leopold Bloom on Dec 23, 2009 12:13 PM PST up reply actions
Mental note: do not bother to write serious responses to Leopold Bloom comments anymore
since they will simply be blown off with one-letter “replies.”
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?
Your simply not being serious.
You’re telling me that zero-sum game theory is not quantitatively-based when it clearly is, when it’s clearly the entire point of the model.
If you truly think I’m that much of a moron, there’s no sense in discussing it with you.
Your point of invoking zero-sum however is that someone is always a winner and someone is always a loser, treating all players as an integer to be added up on a tally sheet. My point is that trades can (and often do) benefit both clubs, and don’t always involve a winner and a loser. This goes toward your wanting to create a hierarchy out of everything, and is probably not something either of us should rehash.
So, no, don’t bother responding seriously to my responses. I’m sorry to have wasted your time with something we’ve already established.
Sock puppets have never been able to successfully attack castles. -NM
by Leopold Bloom on Dec 23, 2009 9:09 PM PST up reply actions
Ooh, LB,
I’m getting all warm and tingly.
It’s like in a movie when the fat guy who tells dumb jokes actually turns out to be smart. Wow, no one expects that.
There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, Than are dreamt of in your philosophy.
It's like in a movie when
the short, frumpy mom turns out to be a hot and spicy sex kitten. Wow, no one expects that.
There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, Than are dreamt of in your philosophy.
Really.
Trades can and do often benefit both clubs. Shocking!
I seem to recall someone saying something like this recently. Oh wait. It was me.
The exact extent of that zero-sum element varies.
The notion that every single baseball trade causes one of the two teams involved to be a “loser” is such patent idiocy that I’d really prefer you not associate it with me. Most trades are designed to cause the other 28 teams to be “losers.”
It is much harder to design such a trade when the two teams involved are close competitors.
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?
Wait a second...
In other words, I know of some targets, and some deals, the A’s have pursued and come close on over the years, that never got reported on because no deal ever happened. And I have to be careful not to bring any of that knowledge into my online discussions.
Hello.
Dropping hints = EPIC FAIL in the “not letting slip” category. Trust me on this, it’s a lot easier keeping a secret if no one knows you’re keeping it to begin with.
The monster at the end of this blog.
by grover on Dec 22, 2009 9:54 PM PST up reply actions 2 recs
True, but whether I discuss or not, like it or not,
I do get “inside info” occasionally. So for the next several weeks, as I don’t let it slip, nonetheless you’ll still know in your heart…that I do.
Did I just marry grover?
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
yes.
I advised heavily for a prenup, but you wouldn’t listen, you heart struck fool.
Sock puppets have never been able to successfully attack castles. -NM
by Leopold Bloom on Dec 22, 2009 10:05 PM PST up reply actions
Nico used the wrong vows
He specifically mentioned “heart”… therefore he must have been referring to someone else.
The monster at the end of this blog.
srsly.
HAY GUYS I HEARD A RUMOR BUT I’M NOT TELLING
They call their best player "Kung Fu Panda" and they complain that people aren’t taking them or the game seriously enough? -Nick
You've been hitting the CAPS pretty hard lately...
Don’t let it take control.
The monster at the end of this blog.
Dude...
They call their best player "Kung Fu Panda" and they complain that people aren’t taking them or the game seriously enough? -Nick
Good job, jerk.
I just laughed out loud and my boss is 10 feet away. Now I have to pretend like information on the Home Insurance Building (first U.S. skyscraper) is somehow hilarious.
www.zekeishungry.com
That's OK
I just sneezed, and I think I might actually have cried a little bit, and my boss is here too.
(pro tip: If you have a cracked rib, DO NOT FUCKING SNEEZE)
They call their best player "Kung Fu Panda" and they complain that people aren’t taking them or the game seriously enough? -Nick
oh God, I know right
I’ve broken ribs three times, and it severely limits your ability to do things like breathe, sneeze, run, sit up, chuckle, ride a bus…
at least it’s over in four weeks, mind
I suspect that you think tilting at windmills means something other than what it does.
Luckily mine's not a complete break, it's just cracked.
Doc said 2 weeks, 3 before any physical activity.
Buddy of mine wrecked his motorcycle at the track, broke 4 ribs. He went to a Chiropractor for it and had some sort of infrared treatment done that promoted blood flow — apparently the big reason ribs take so damn long to heal is that there isn’t a lot of blood flowing around them — and after 4 months of regular doctors telling him it would just get better on its own and they couldn’t do anything, the chiro had him feeling better in like a week.
They call their best player "Kung Fu Panda" and they complain that people aren’t taking them or the game seriously enough? -Nick
Yeah, you're right, I mispoke -
I’ve cracked ribs three times, etc.
Twice, playing soccer and once when I was drunk. I’m not especially proud of the latter..
I suspect that you think tilting at windmills means something other than what it does.
It's okay.
I know it’s embarrassing to play soccer. Admitting it is the first step.
Oh…latter…um, nevermind.
Sock puppets have never been able to successfully attack castles. -NM
by Leopold Bloom on Dec 23, 2009 1:38 PM PST up reply actions
I am going to fight you.
They call their best player "Kung Fu Panda" and they complain that people aren’t taking them or the game seriously enough? -Nick
way out west...
Sock puppets have never been able to successfully attack castles. -NM
by Leopold Bloom on Dec 23, 2009 1:41 PM PST up reply actions
It's good to see you've been unaffected
by the repeated blows to the head.
Can do a man lasting harm, I hear
I suspect that you think tilting at windmills means something other than what it does.
Bloomie's fine...
as long as he keeps his memory notepad and pen taped to his left arm.
"Sniff some krazy glue, and start a religion!"- The Reverend Billy Lard
by Gaijin_Suketto on Dec 24, 2009 12:49 AM PST up reply actions
{drools on self a little}
Sock puppets have never been able to successfully attack castles. -NM
by Leopold Bloom on Dec 24, 2009 1:04 AM PST up reply actions
i have a torn rotator cuff...
drinking a beer hurts. somehow, i blame larry davis for misdiagnosing my injury.
by inbillywetrust on Dec 23, 2009 4:46 PM PST up reply actions
I respect your need to keep secrets, but
if that’s the case, then you really shouldn’t have added the “It would put you in your place” line.
There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, Than are dreamt of in your philosophy.
Ok here goes
There’s only one scenario I can think of that would put PT in his place. That scenario is…..drumroll……Maicier Izturis is traded for Chase Headley. That doesn’t make much sense for SD but it has to be part of the deal based on Nico’s comments. The team getting Headley would have to add some more value. This is obviously where this hypothetical/rumored deal is held up. Now obviously this trade would have to involve the A’s in some way, so how do the A’s get Maicier Izturis?
Well there’s only been one recent rumor or semi-rumor involving the A’s and Angels and that was Wuertz. Given that the Angels are investigating Rodney, I assume the Angels are still looking for relief help. Wuertz for Izturis is a great deal for the Angels since Izturis is basically their backup SS and Wuertz is better than Rodney. The A’s could sacrifice Wuertz to a division rival since he’ll only be there for 2 years and he’s coming off a career, and likely unrepeatable, year. Plus if the end result is Headley, who can argue with the logic?
That leaves us with:
Angels get Wuertz
Padres get Izturis, ???
A’s get Headley
Of course now that I’ve suggested this a spy from HH will see it and make a fanpost alerting the Angels FO. Seeing the whole picture the Angels won’t make the deal. And for that, this offseason really is Nico’s fault.
"Loyal? I'm the most loyal player money can buy." - Don Sutton
Well, now I'm mad you didn't find some way to leak that
Frankly, just about anything short of a violent felony that would have blown that trade would have been worth doing…
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?
That's pretty friggin cool.
I want inside information too!
Keep in mind, of course, that "the best defense of Derek Jeter's life" ranks somewhere in between "the best fiscal responsibility of Mike Tyson's life" and "the best not-getting-assassinated-ness of James Garfield's life." -FJM
(Nico smells like wet dog)
Sock puppets have never been able to successfully attack castles. -NM
by Leopold Bloom on Dec 23, 2009 9:16 AM PST up reply actions
3-team trade?
Every hitter likes fastballs, just like everybody likes ice cream. But you don't like it when someone's stuffing it into you by the gallon. That's what it feels like when Nolan Ryan's thrown balls by you. ~Reggie Jackson
Eh, that's an awfully hedgy statement
“Didn’t express interest in parting with him” just means Beane didn’t come out and say that they were trying to move him.
Doesn’t mean much, I think. The A’s don’t really ever “express interest in parting with someone,” unless the guy has been designated for assignment or something.
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 A's expressed interest in parting with Bobby Crosby this last season.
With prejudice.
Sock puppets have never been able to successfully attack castles. -NM
by Leopold Bloom on Dec 22, 2009 8:53 PM PST up reply actions
really?
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.
Read more: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/blogs/athletics/detail?blogid=21&entry_id=54003#ixzz0aTJwAsNK
I’m calling it now, 20 HR from Buck in the A’s outfield in 2010! (wishes they invented the sarcasim font)
You have to include smiley faces - Poppy
;- ) :- ) :-O : -> : -] : -}
I know, I read that and find it really ironic
that he will likely be traded away when he could help to replace Cust.
p.s. – with him and Swisher working together, I wonder if they are having a hair-growing contest?
"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 5:45 PM PST up reply actions
Where have I heard this before....
Oh, that’s right
But wait, does he know all of the above happened? How can he be excited to play for a team that apparently doesn’t want him? Well, it might have to do with the recent adjustments he has made with two great hitters, Mark McGwire and Matt Holliday. Since the start of 2009, Crosby has been hitting in a cage with Big Mac and Holliday, at the University of California-Irvine.
by eastbayexpat on Dec 22, 2009 5:46 PM PST up reply actions
yeah I'm sure he'll provide the M's or Rays or whomever we trade him to with some power
"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 5:58 PM PST up reply actions
You've gotta be in favor of him incorporating his lower body
"And Julio Franco is batting right-handed!" -- Wayne Hagin, A's radio play-by-play, mid-80s
TWSS
Or was that too obvious?
"HARK! BUT LOOK OVER HERE, IT'S A COST CONTROLLED COCO CRISP! DOES MY USE OF ALLITERATION HYPNOTIZE YOU?" (PL78)
by Player To Be Named Later on Dec 23, 2009 12:16 AM PST up reply actions
she didn't say that.
Only use “TWSS” when it’s actually phrased like she would say it. If you want to cleverly highlight the innuendo, there are other ways you can word your post … like what Nick already did.
There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, Than are dreamt of in your philosophy.
My post was in reply to Nick's
But that was what I was wondering…if that was too obvious. I guess so. I’ll stick to letting other people doing these.
"HARK! BUT LOOK OVER HERE, IT'S A COST CONTROLLED COCO CRISP! DOES MY USE OF ALLITERATION HYPNOTIZE YOU?" (PL78)
by Player To Be Named Later on Dec 23, 2009 5:21 PM PST up reply actions
If only ALL of us would do that.
Except possibly Monkeyball. We can give him a special dispensation, so long as he doesn’t abuse it.
There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, Than are dreamt of in your philosophy.
Sounds like a plan
All in favor say “Kendry Morales is a douchebag”
"HARK! BUT LOOK OVER HERE, IT'S A COST CONTROLLED COCO CRISP! DOES MY USE OF ALLITERATION HYPNOTIZE YOU?" (PL78)
by Player To Be Named Later on Dec 24, 2009 2:47 PM PST up reply actions
Shopping at Babies R us for next child?
I didn’t know they sold babies. What’s the standard features on the new model this year? I hear hybrids are getting better all the time.
That's practically the only place I go for lunch anymore
Babies grilled to perfection and smothered with BBQ sauce until they stop crying.
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 Dec 22, 2009 5:16 PM PST up reply actions 1 recs
A Work-In-Progress
Absolutely no way we know at this point what the team in the spring will look like. Though it now appears Mr. Duchsherer won’t be part of it.
I wouldn’t mind Buck as fourth outfielder if Beane can dump Patterson and Hairston.
Here’s the thing though: Everything is in flux depending on when Carter and Taylor are ready to emerge, and what happens with Eric Chavez and Cliff Pennington. My own feeling is that Chavez is through, and that Pennington is stop-gap, but you don’t know til you see outcomes.
I’m still more concerned with the #3 guy after Anderson and Braden. No one else in the A’s organization at this point fits that bill.
He's about to sign elsewhere
as he should. A’s can’t afford him at the risk level he provides.
by cool coltrane on Dec 22, 2009 7:23 PM PST up reply actions
Is there something else in the wind?
I don’t get why the A’s would acquire another outfielder in Coco Crisp unless there is something else in the wind. They don’t have room to play a guy making 5 million a year unless they get rid of Hairston or Davis. Davis was outstanding….why dump him now…. I like Sweeny and think the A’s do as well….so is the outfield Davis, Crisp and Sweeny and dump Hairston for a prospect? Is Taylor not expected to contribute. All of this buries Buck so far down the dept chart Sacramento will be having him again in their outfield. Finally this means no room for Patterson or Carter this year.
It looks to me like it works just fine.
The outfield is Davis, Crisp and Sweeney, and Hairston is a 4th outfielder who still gets plenty of starts. Cunningham, Taylor, and Buck all stay in AAA for now.
I’m not saying it has to be like that. I’m just saying it could be just fine and there’s no need to unload anyone.
(Caveat: It has been pointed out to me there’s a potential logjam in Sacramento, but that just means someone needs to be unloaded or shifted down there, not among the big-leaguers.)
There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, Than are dreamt of in your philosophy.
I get that it's the middle of December and the end of the season is long gone
and the start of the season is still a long ways away, so there is really not a whole lot to talk about. But I still don’t get all the, “Grading/Understanding Beane’s offseason” posts. Right now the A’s have a ZOMG amount of outfielders, but I’m not sitting here, stumped, trying to figure out why Beane’s plan is to hoard all the outfielders available.
Tomorrow Beane could flip a whole bunch of players for a whole bunch of other players and completely inside out the team. I’ll wait until ST to try to understand just what the hell Beane was doing when he signed Crisp.
If you think Billy Beane is a bad GM, I hate you and find you stupid.
I think you answered your own question.
It’s the end of December, not exactly a whole lot else to ponder and or discuss.
by Pucking Insane on Dec 22, 2009 7:14 PM PST up reply actions
We could discuss how this is all Nico's fault,
but that will leave the cupboard bare for January.
Sock puppets have never been able to successfully attack castles. -NM
by Leopold Bloom on Dec 22, 2009 8:55 PM PST up reply actions
That's okay
we’ll just put an Indian in and maybe get a nice SS when we turn the key.
CuttheMullet, from "The Thread":
"Whenever I’m about to do something, I think "would an idiot do that?" and if they would, I do not do that thing."
Making a verb out of "inside out" is fun,
but taking the opportunity to use “evert” would have been even more fun.
There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, Than are dreamt of in your philosophy.
I don't recall the exact day,
but I know it coincided with a horse being hoarse (of course).
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 blame chatspeak.
Stupid cell phones.
There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, Than are dreamt of in your philosophy.
LOL SRSLY.
They call their best player "Kung Fu Panda" and they complain that people aren’t taking them or the game seriously enough? -Nick
EqA FIP wOBA WTF!
There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, Than are dreamt of in your philosophy.
ONOEZ VORP HAHAH ISOP
They call their best player "Kung Fu Panda" and they complain that people aren’t taking them or the game seriously enough? -Nick
I hate you both.
So does the the English language and the Oxford people.
All of them.
The people who live in Oxford—in England AND Mississippi, everyone that either goes there or teaches there, the people who work for the OED. People with this health plan. That’s a lot of us.
Sock puppets have never been able to successfully attack castles. -NM
by Leopold Bloom on Dec 23, 2009 9:20 AM PST up reply actions
Fuck you and your penmanship, sir.
They call their best player "Kung Fu Panda" and they complain that people aren’t taking them or the game seriously enough? -Nick
Wah. I'm taking my ball and going home.
and at least you told me to fuck off in not-all caps.
Sock puppets have never been able to successfully attack castles. -NM
by Leopold Bloom on Dec 23, 2009 9:23 AM PST up reply actions
FUCK OFF
don’t wanna disappoint.
any big plans for the nondenominational wintertime holiday?
They call their best player "Kung Fu Panda" and they complain that people aren’t taking them or the game seriously enough? -Nick
Nah.
Eve at Mom’s, Day at Bro’s. Prolly football that night.
You?
Sock puppets have never been able to successfully attack castles. -NM
by Leopold Bloom on Dec 23, 2009 9:36 AM PST up reply actions
stayin home, hanging out with the kids.
They call their best player "Kung Fu Panda" and they complain that people aren’t taking them or the game seriously enough? -Nick
it's the best time to have kids, I've heard.
that, and Halloween.
Sock puppets have never been able to successfully attack castles. -NM
by Leopold Bloom on Dec 23, 2009 9:44 AM PST up reply actions
It's not too bad
Sucks that I’m pretty much laid up and can’t do a lot of anything, but I’ll enjoy the 4 day weekend anyway.
They call their best player "Kung Fu Panda" and they complain that people aren’t taking them or the game seriously enough? -Nick
What about people who aren't in England or Mississippi
but love the shirts. Do they had iglew and mikev, too?
www.zekeishungry.com
Well, I know they're both sluts,
but I doubt if EVERYONE that owns an Oxford shirt has had them…both?
I have, but I don’t own those shirts. I avoid collars.
Sock puppets have never been able to successfully attack castles. -NM
by Leopold Bloom on Dec 23, 2009 10:14 AM PST up reply actions
Hell I can't even understand my VCR yet
let alone BB…
However, I think all this debate on the CC signing is moot, for BB surely will be pulling the trigger on something down the road that will make sense of all this and not appear he needs to be in AA. Blez, any baseball related names for the BTBNL? (Baby To Be Named Later)
"Tonto think Billy Beane need to make team full of squirrels and bears."
Request to Blez:
When you write something, please put it on the front page! You write so seldom nowadays, are always an interesting read, and it is, y’know, your blog. C’mahn!
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 Dec 22, 2009 5:50 PM PST reply actions 1 recs
With Boston allegedly elminated from the Beltre sweepstakes by the Lowell trade FAIL.....
and St Louis focusing on Holliday, NOW is the time for the A’s to sign Beltre.
If we’re going with defense first, we might as well have the best.
4×9mil – Beltre is go!
Is this the real life-
Is this just fantasy-
Caught in a landslide-
No escape from reality-
Maybe they can trade Crisp to free up some cash
It's not the results, it's how you look going about those results -- Tim McCarver
by WaddellCanseco on Dec 22, 2009 7:55 PM PST up reply actions
What could texas be thinking there?
How does epstein get these kinds of concessions? Sheesh!
"Not in your wildest alcoholic nightmare would you ever imagine such events unfolding!" Bill King
by Buck Turgidson on Dec 22, 2009 10:29 PM PST up reply actions
Huh?
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?
Mike Epstein was traded back to the Senators and they moved to Texas.
Unbeknownst to us he’s been the Rangers puppetmaster for the past 35 years.
It's not the results, it's how you look going about those results -- Tim McCarver
by WaddellCanseco on Dec 23, 2009 1:15 AM PST up reply actions
4 years to Beltre? Do not want.
I love Beltre and think the A’s should sign him, but I’m far from a fan of signing him for 4 years…
Way too risky.
"I generally avoid temptation unless I can't resist it" ~ Mae West
He isn't that old. I'm OK with 4 years.
It's not the results, it's how you look going about those results -- Tim McCarver
by WaddellCanseco on Dec 23, 2009 9:32 AM PST up reply actions
I think he just turned 30, so 4 years is the maximum I'd go
A free agent signing who is elite at something and still in the prime of his career? ZOMG!
Is this the real life-
Is this just fantasy-
Caught in a landslide-
No escape from reality-
There's One Constant... and One Huge Change
the constant is to trust and develop the young pitching, at least until they become unaffordable.
the change has been going on for some time now— and it is that Beane is now not only valuing speed and defense as power becomes prohibitively expensive, but he is also putting an emphasis on more athletic young position player talent. Wallace into Taylor is just one example. Weeks is another. Carter another. And lo and behold the A’s may have more African-American players at or near the major league level than at any point since the 1970s. The Kendalls and Kotsays and Hattebergs are relics of the past. Beane played the old Moneyball card as long as he could, but it’s a very different market situation now.
Though Barton is kind of a Hatteberg clone,
and Sweeney will never be mistaken for a homeboy.
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
Barton's no Hatteberg! He's Bochte I tells ya!
It's not the results, it's how you look going about those results -- Tim McCarver
by WaddellCanseco on Dec 22, 2009 7:55 PM PST up reply actions
Bochte was so slow...
he’s still rounding third somewhere, in some league…
Barton has a similar low-HR frequency, but he’s a guy with reasonable speed.
"The mind is not a vessel to be filled but a fire to be kindled."-Plutarch
by One won lost won on Dec 22, 2009 8:22 PM PST up reply actions
Well he's better defensively than Hatteberg
It's not the results, it's how you look going about those results -- Tim McCarver
by WaddellCanseco on Dec 23, 2009 1:15 AM PST up reply actions
Actually,
“valuing speed and defense as power becomes prohibitively expensive” is a key element to Moneyball. “Putting an emphasis on more athletic young position players” is, too.
Acquiring players with skill-sets that other teams aren’t interested in … and paying less to do it ..has Moneyball all over it.
I needed a team so I wouldn’t turn into one of the eighty million pink hat-wearing Bud Light-drinking mulleted idiots at Fenway.
it also plays into the aesthetics of the Coliseum.
Sock puppets have never been able to successfully attack castles. -NM
by Leopold Bloom on Dec 22, 2009 9:01 PM PST up reply actions
...
Sock puppets have never been able to successfully attack castles. -NM
by Leopold Bloom on Dec 23, 2009 10:40 AM PST up reply actions
I am starting to think the Crisp deal
might not even happen. Not that it really should in the first place.
I'll have a sandwich and a draft(sic). - Bill King (RIP)
So we're relieved that nothing's going to happen. Whew.
It's not the results, it's how you look going about those results -- Tim McCarver
by WaddellCanseco on Dec 22, 2009 7:56 PM PST up reply actions
It's a done deal. Crisp just can't get out of the airport at the moment,
which is hopefully not a metaphor for anything.
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 been watching that Tom Hanks movie again, hasn't he?
Zeigler to Geren…."A-Rod? He’s my bitch." -alox
Nice to see ya post something here, Blez!
When can we expect the first preseason interview w/ Beane from you? Go A’s!
Zeigler to Geren…."A-Rod? He’s my bitch." -alox
First question from Blez to Beane:
“What in the wide wide world of sports is going on here??!!!
"The mind is not a vessel to be filled but a fire to be kindled."-Plutarch
by One won lost won on Dec 22, 2009 8:24 PM PST up reply actions
excuse me while I whip this out
Is this the real life-
Is this just fantasy-
Caught in a landslide-
No escape from reality-
by Daniel777 on Dec 23, 2009 12:26 AM PST up reply actions 1 recs
my bad, translated it to modern version
Send a wire to the main office and tell them I said… OW
send a wire to the main office and tell them I said “ow” gotcha!
The sheriff is near!
"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 23, 2009 2:06 AM PST up reply actions
Still waiting for that starter
I know Beane will pick up a #5 starter but who will it be? To many still out there with no job.
I'm getting skeptical
I think we’ll see the A’s sign a couple of scrap heap pitchers to minor league contracts similar to Jerome Williams and Edgar Gonzales a year ago. I would really like to see the team invest some decent money into a reliable starter but I get the feeling they are happy to go with the youngsters and sign cheap guys for emergency purposes.
I'd rather sign an unreliable starter
The team has plenty of pitching depth; what they’re lacking is the kind of guy who could dominate for three months and carry the team. Well, except Anderson, who is awesome.
I’d prefer to sign Sheets or Bedard.
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?
Or Chapman who, from all accounts,
the A’s are serious about pursuing.
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
Signing Bedard would be nice.
I needed a team so I wouldn’t turn into one of the eighty million pink hat-wearing Bud Light-drinking mulleted idiots at Fenway.
Except he won't be ready to pitch until May-July
I’d rather see the A’s add someone who’s likely to pitch all season, not only after the A’s are already out of the race because they didn’t have the guy in April and May.
I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal
A thousand times NO!
Billy is way too smart to sign Bedard. The A’s have no need for a guy as sketchy and expensive as Bedard. There is a long list of available pitchers before you would take another injury prone head case like Bedard.
The "head case" crap is bullshit
invented by sports writers who (despite never having done so themselves) somehow “just know” that a “real man” plays through pain instead of going on the DL. Whether it actually helps the team or not.
Personally, I think the fact that Bedard is actually sensible about dealing with arm injuries is a plus, since it means he won’t be limping out to the mound throwing 85-MPH cheese (and getting hammered in the process) just so the local beat writers will applaud his testicles.
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, everyone knows that pitchers and balls is bad
I suspect that you think tilting at windmills means something other than what it does.
This is where we will never agree
I just would not want a guy on my team who routinely asks out of games at the 100 pitch mark. Do not want. Not only that, but its an awful influence for the kids, and last I checked, we are’t winning this season, anyway.
There is a difference between sensible and not being a team player. Bedard is on the wrong side of that equation, from what I have heard.
I'd rather have a guy who knows when he's done
than a guy who won’t admit when he is. The first guy gives you a chance to win a game, the second guy takes that chance away.
CuttheMullet, from "The Thread":
"Whenever I’m about to do something, I think "would an idiot do that?" and if they would, I do not do that thing."
It's a great influence for "the kids"
Generally speaking, pitching pitchers beyond 100 pitches is idiocy, because they get worse at making outs when they’re tired. It’s certainly idiocy when you have, as Oakland typically does, a great bullpen.
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?
I agree that the higher the pitch count, the more likely the hits
and yet I marvel at Warren Spahn et al in the 1950s, occasionally throwing into the 10th inning and beyond and not giving up oodles of runs.
What is it? Better strategizing by batters today (such as, going into the locker room and looking at the last AB on video, then add in other batters’ reports) or that Spahn and a few others had all-time, incredible stuff.
Pitchers today are smart to win the war (their careers) and not the battle (a few months of pitching, or not pitching). Carl Erskine was a pitcher who popped something early in his career, pitched with pain, and yet had success. But he didn’t last as long as many pitchers of his day.
Pitching coach Rick Peterson’s career was ruined by a college coach who let him throw over 200 pitches in one single outing…he never pitched again.
"The mind is not a vessel to be filled but a fire to be kindled."-Plutarch
by One won lost won on Dec 26, 2009 10:23 AM PST up reply actions
He has terrible smile numbers, though.
Worse than Holliday.
There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, Than are dreamt of in your philosophy.
I made him laugh once!
Granted I’m probably the funniest person I know.
Keep in mind, of course, that "the best defense of Derek Jeter's life" ranks somewhere in between "the best fiscal responsibility of Mike Tyson's life" and "the best not-getting-assassinated-ness of James Garfield's life." -FJM
Yes. This.
I’ve wanted Sheets over here for the last two years. He’d make an awesome signing, since he’s an ace while healthy, but the A’s have some depth.
However, I’d also rather have someone who can eat innings and keep Mazzaro and Cahill in AAA, although LAIMs are overrated and overpriced. If a decent one was available for under 5MM, I say go for it.
"I generally avoid temptation unless I can't resist it" ~ Mae West
LAIM?
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?
League-Average Innings Muncher
"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 23, 2009 10:49 AM PST up reply actions
I don't think those LAIMs as you put them are overrated for a team like the A's
The reason Tomko was so awesome last year wasn’t because he was good, but because those were innings a young pitcher didn’t have to throw.
Plus, I think there’s value in getting a guy who is guaranteed (as much as one can be a guarantee, anyway) to pitch 200 innings and put up a mid-4s ERA.
www.zekeishungry.com
Bedard isn't supposed to be available to pitch until mid-season
The monster at the end of this blog.
Agreed
I totally disagree with the Crisp signing to the fullest.
The Ultimate Opportunist
by Rated-R Superstar on Dec 22, 2009 9:39 PM PST up reply actions
Yeah, well, that's just, like, your opinion, man.
Sock puppets have never been able to successfully attack castles. -NM
by Leopold Bloom on Dec 22, 2009 9:49 PM PST up reply actions
No, I actually looked up the stats on it and he's right.
He does disagree with the signing, within an acceptable margin of error.
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
plus or minus three moderately strong opinions?
Sock puppets have never been able to successfully attack castles. -NM
by Leopold Bloom on Dec 22, 2009 9:52 PM PST up reply actions
Only plus three
It’s not a bell curve, so much as a “cocaine high and crash” graph.
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 don't know
the sample size looks a little thin. I’d like to give him another year or two before we take any definitive stance on what he thinks.
CuttheMullet, from "The Thread":
"Whenever I’m about to do something, I think "would an idiot do that?" and if they would, I do not do that thing."
Dios mio, man.
Your day breaks, your mind aches.
You find that all her words of kindness linger on
when she no longer needs you.
Thinking about this...
…and looking at espn’s (outdated) list of free agents.
Here’s what I think is going on. Billy Beane is having a hard time both getting the money to sign free agents AND convincing them to come to Oakland. it isn’t just that the Coliseum is run down or the crowds are small, or even that Oakland isn’t headed toward the post-season..but it’s that you sign a deal with Oakland, you know you’re on a bus going somewhere else. You can’t even think about settling in for one year. There’s no security whatsoever.
Coco Crisp, by the way, doesn’t fit that…he’s a journeyman already. His perspective could be simply take the money and run, and hope that in mid-season you’ll be traded to a contender. That’s how I’d play it, but probably not how most players would.
So here’s the story: By signing Crisp, Billy Beane now has too many outfielders, most of whom either have been very good in the recent past (Hairston, Davis) or have potential (Buck, Cunningham, Desme, blah blah blah). This means he has trade chips, lots of trade chips. Which means that list on espn has just grown to include a whole bunch of veterans and young players from which to find (a) a third baseman, (b) a mid-rotation veteran, and © a back-up infielder who might replace Pennington if necessary.
Thing is, the dust has to clear. A lot of these free agents must be cleared off the board. Only then will teams be able to assess what they need, particularly if they need young MLB-ready outfielders or even an experienced one with power. And that’s when the horse trading will really begin.
That’s my thought.
Makes more sense than
“We really want our OF to hit 13 HRs combined, 4 of them inside-the-park” or “We like Rajai Davis but we just really want to pay twice as much for him.”
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 have been pondering this possibility for awhile now...
…I think that it tells me that the A’s are looking to groom their own power from within (or in a deal). The Chris Carter and Michael Taylor’s of the world. The A’s are hoping that guys like Carter and Taylor who are hopefully the answer because right now, there is not much power.
It seems that most teams are signing their legit power threats to extensions so as to avoid free agency, so there’s just not much power available, and what is available is outrageously expensive and/or flawed in some way.
Every hitter likes fastballs, just like everybody likes ice cream. But you don't like it when someone's stuffing it into you by the gallon. That's what it feels like when Nolan Ryan's thrown balls by you. ~Reggie Jackson
just not much power available, and what is available is outrageously expensive and/or flawed in some way.
Makes sense.
Things that are crazily expensive: Power, quality starting pitching
Things we are growing of our own: Power, starting pitching
Is this the real life-
Is this just fantasy-
Caught in a landslide-
No escape from reality-
Don't forget marijuana.
There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, Than are dreamt of in your philosophy.
That's not crazily expensive
Is this the real life-
Is this just fantasy-
Caught in a landslide-
No escape from reality-
Don't forget Mr. Pibb and licorice.
Sock puppets have never been able to successfully attack castles. -NM
by Leopold Bloom on Dec 23, 2009 5:07 PM PST up reply actions
I love you. In a totally straight, very masculine way.
CuttheMullet, from "The Thread":
"Whenever I’m about to do something, I think "would an idiot do that?" and if they would, I do not do that thing."
YAY!
Love you right back!
Sock puppets have never been able to successfully attack castles. -NM
by Leopold Bloom on Dec 23, 2009 9:10 PM PST up reply actions
I mean, 'cause if you WERE gay ...
that would be … um, yeah, nevermind.
There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, Than are dreamt of in your philosophy.
Not that there'd be anything wrong with that.
CuttheMullet, from "The Thread":
"Whenever I’m about to do something, I think "would an idiot do that?" and if they would, I do not do that thing."
(I think he means I'm his if I'm gay,
but he doesn’t know that I’m first Don’s, then his, then probably yours)
Sock puppets have never been able to successfully attack castles. -NM
by Leopold Bloom on Dec 24, 2009 1:05 AM PST up reply actions
What about G-S?
There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, Than are dreamt of in your philosophy.
I'm his doppelganger, not his salad tosser...
"Sniff some krazy glue, and start a religion!"- The Reverend Billy Lard
by Gaijin_Suketto on Dec 24, 2009 1:49 AM PST up reply actions
scary thought, another me out there...
Sock puppets have never been able to successfully attack castles. -NM
by Leopold Bloom on Dec 24, 2009 2:29 AM PST up reply actions
scary thought, another me out there...
"Sniff some krazy glue, and start a religion!"- The Reverend Billy Lard
by Gaijin_Suketto on Dec 24, 2009 10:19 PM PST up reply actions
Oh my God, you know the world is great.
Abolish hate and appreciate.
When you eat HAM.
HAM.
Cause you know HAM is good for you.
And healthy, too.
And health begins with “H”
And so does HAM.
And you know all around the world
The boys and girls are picking up their plates
And shouting HAM.
Sock puppets have never been able to successfully attack castles. -NM
by Leopold Bloom on Dec 24, 2009 10:40 PM PST up reply actions
AHEM.
They call their best player "Kung Fu Panda" and they complain that people aren’t taking them or the game seriously enough? -Nick
Nah, you and me are just gonna get drunk and wrassle.
Sock puppets have never been able to successfully attack castles. -NM
by Leopold Bloom on Dec 24, 2009 2:28 AM PST up reply actions
it's only gay if the balls touch
They call their best player "Kung Fu Panda" and they complain that people aren’t taking them or the game seriously enough? -Nick
I always wondered why your nickname
was “the human pendulum.”
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
Glaus to the Braves
Time to take a closer look at Vlad and Delgado…Unless you want to see us in last place this year the M’s greatly improving, Texas moving in the right direction and those angles….
Why sign Vlad when they released a more productive hitter a couple weeks ago?
And how exactly is Delgado a better option than Barton?
www.zekeishungry.com
As a DH
Like it or not, the A’s now have a hole at DH and Delgado has the potential to hit better than any of the current choices — and better than Cust.
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 don't like it
It's not the results, it's how you look going about those results -- Tim McCarver
by WaddellCanseco on Dec 23, 2009 4:55 PM PST up reply actions
Eh, I think Delgado will probably be significantly worse than the other options
I’m thinking Giambi levels of collapse with him, especially in Oakland.
www.zekeishungry.com
Agree with the second part of your statement.
Delgado is an unnecessary risk, especially for a team like Oakland.
"PECOTA can pretty much kiss my ass."-Nico
I'd be okay with the signing because I don't want Carter/Taylor rushed
But Geren will toss Delgado out there for 300 below replacement plate appearances no matter what if he’s signed. I’d rather they just give those PAs to Jake Fox, who Geren would likely not play anymore if a better option presented itself.
www.zekeishungry.com
Please sign Rodney, Angels
Especially since the Phillies already have 2/12MM on the table, and that means the Angels have to top that.
I’d think Rodney’s got a better chance to be a closer in Philly than LAA, since Lidge is more likely to implode than Fuentes. So its not like Rodney’s going to take less money to close in LAA.
"I generally avoid temptation unless I can't resist it" ~ Mae West
The AL West is going to be really tough
I love our boys and always have hope coming into march, even heading to spring training this year, but I am finding it hard to believe that we won’t be in last place when 2010 comes to an end – and I am wondering if Beane is thinking the same thing. The Angles are the Angles and will be near or on the top of the division as usual. But now with the M’s making some huge moves in a win now statement + Texas has made huge strides in their team + with their minor league system with Smoak and N. Feliz – Texas is going to be good and for the long term – I actually think Texas has a better outlook over the next 5 years then the Angles and M’s….
Beane new strategy as many have stated is going to be pitching and the new moneyball “Defense” and speed – I think Beane has been seeing how the Rays have been doing it for a few year now – Great pitching, speed, great def and some sluggers in the middle.
I’m ok with the coco signing, but I don’t think it gets us out of last place in our division so why waste 4.5 million unless your about to make a bigger move in acquiring a big bat DH in Vlad or Delagado or someone else….
Yeah, the West is going to be insanity
The Angels have downgraded. There isn’t a pitcher on the FA or trade market right now who could give even half of the performance Lackey gives them. They don’t have elite pitching talent ready to step in. In terms of the OF, Vlad/Matsui is whatever you make of it. They also lose Figgins. Now, Wood may be able to take that position, but they may not.
I see one team, the M’s emerging as elite, and the other 3 teams going at some strata of .500 or better, like, within 5 games of each other.
The rotation will be question mark but most likely a net improvement. Barton, since its very likely he’s going to be league average, over Giambi/Everidge/Crosby is a 2-3 WIN improvement on itself; Giambi/Everidge were that awful. If Pennington can even be replacement level at SS, he’s a 1 win improvement over OCab.
And there’s plenty of time to get a DH, as there’s still way more DHs available than DH jobs. Since its almost certain Adam LaRoche is a Giant or Met, and that two of Holliday/Bay/Damon will end up in the NL, and the only teams in need of DH are the A’s, White Sox, and maybe the M’s, that’s a very short list. Go get the DH after the market crashes (I think Cust returns to the A’s at a cheaper price).
I think the M’s take 1st place, but barring some major trade, the other 3 teams could go in any fashion, and I think all 4 finish over .500, beating up on AL Central teams and maybe Toronto/Baltimore to make that possible. I think every team in the AL West is better than 3-4 teams in the Central right now, and the M’s better than all 5.
"I generally avoid temptation unless I can't resist it" ~ Mae West
Can someone explain Adam LaRoche to me?
Why is a guy who’s been as completely mediocre as that guy being actively pursued by two teams?
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?
it's the Giants.
They call their best player "Kung Fu Panda" and they complain that people aren’t taking them or the game seriously enough? -Nick
They're the only two teams that need 1B
And Sabean and Minaya are good at overpaying for mediocre vets.
And/or Bumgarner gets traded for Dan Uggla.
I haven’t seen anything that says the Mets are actively pursuing him, but it makes too much sense not to be happening. LaRoche screams Giant to me.
"I generally avoid temptation unless I can't resist it" ~ Mae West
I see the M's getting a slow start,
causing some to question them in the early months, but they’ll put it together and win the division in the end. I think Texas is a cut above the A’s and Angels, and they’ll take 2nd fairly easily. Angels will fall off a lot, surprising those who are thinking too much of recent years. A’s will be better than national expectation (which will predict us as absolutely terrible) but still worse than expected here on AN, and still 4th place.
That’s my prediction as of right now.
There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, Than are dreamt of in your philosophy.
You're forgetting that Howard Kendrick will somehow hit 37 HR and be the AL MVP
Also Jered Weaver, Joe Saunders, Scott Kazmir and Ervin Santana will all win 22 games.
It's not the results, it's how you look going about those results -- Tim McCarver
by WaddellCanseco on Dec 23, 2009 4:56 PM PST up reply actions
This is true.
I am indeed forgetting that. It’s like it never even happened.
There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, Than are dreamt of in your philosophy.
Did they officially say the Giants were going after LaRoche?
I KNEW it! He screams “Giant” to me.
"HARK! BUT LOOK OVER HERE, IT'S A COST CONTROLLED COCO CRISP! DOES MY USE OF ALLITERATION HYPNOTIZE YOU?" (PL78)
by Player To Be Named Later on Dec 23, 2009 5:24 PM PST up reply actions
Beane trys putting together a nice outfit at Wal Mart
They sell clothes at WalMart. You can actually put together a decent looking outfit. It’s going to be cheap. It may not have designer label. It won’t be the quality of an out fit purchased at Macys. But, you could make it look like you care about your appearance. Your style and fit will not not be in the same league as Nordstrom clothes, but you will be in business to go out into the world fully clothed.
That’s your 2010 Oakland A’s.
I buy my clothes from Target. Does that make me the Kansas City Royals?
by Colorado Fan on Dec 23, 2009 9:27 AM PST up reply actions
It makes you guilty of third-world exploitation,
if that recent Harper’s magazine article is to be trusted.
Don’t feel singled out, though—about 95% of us participate in it and it’s not just cheap clothing places. The expensive places exploit the same workers, but get about 1,000,000% mark up….
Sock puppets have never been able to successfully attack castles. -NM
by Leopold Bloom on Dec 23, 2009 9:39 AM PST up reply actions
first-world exploitation too
CuttheMullet, from "The Thread":
"Whenever I’m about to do something, I think "would an idiot do that?" and if they would, I do not do that thing."
They should put that slogan on a shirt
“This t-shirt is a product of third-world exploitation” on the front “How does it feel, poor people?” on the back.
www.zekeishungry.com
I'd wear it.
They call their best player "Kung Fu Panda" and they complain that people aren’t taking them or the game seriously enough? -Nick
I actually like
“Suck it, poor people” better.
Sock puppets have never been able to successfully attack castles. -NM
by Leopold Bloom on Dec 23, 2009 12:13 PM PST up reply actions
Nah, the Royals is the equivalent of going to Buffalo exchange
and buying some overpriced stuff that was cool a few years ago, but now no-one really wants, while at the same time having the makings of a decent clothing rotation of your own, but just not realising it.
I suspect that you think tilting at windmills means something other than what it does.
so what are the Pirates?
Ranch 99?
They call their best player "Kung Fu Panda" and they complain that people aren’t taking them or the game seriously enough? -Nick
the dumpster out back.
Sock puppets have never been able to successfully attack castles. -NM
by Leopold Bloom on Dec 23, 2009 10:15 AM PST up reply actions
Rotoworld sidebar full of awesomeness
The A’s are still in on Duke, and he could still be back. That would be the best news of the offseason by leaps and bounds.
Also, they didn’t refer to him as “The Duke of Hurl” for a change, a nickname which tends to inspire a empathetic response.
"PECOTA can pretty much kiss my ass."-Nico
I like the idea of a Duke signing as well.
That guy is awesome.
It's not the results, it's how you look going about those results -- Tim McCarver
by WaddellCanseco on Dec 23, 2009 9:27 AM PST up reply actions
I like him on a 1 year deal.
Because by 2011 some rotation composed of Anderson, Cahill, Braden, Gonzalez, Mazzaro, and Outman should be viable.
Also, if he gets hurt, who cares? You have one to two good pitchers to take his place.
Sometimes life will strike you out on a curve ball and the only choice you have is to flip off the umpire and walk to first base anyway.
by Threepwood XX on Dec 23, 2009 11:35 AM PST up reply actions
I'm just waiting
…for Beane to pick up a couple of key veterans, which he can then use as trade bait in July.
Coco
He’ll be paid at least twice as much as Troy Glaus this year, who’s getting $2MM from Atlanta.
The artist formerly known as HigherPie.
How could you not want Glaus for, say, $2.5M
as a DH who is capable of filling in at 3B? Grrrrr!!!!!!
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
Must be because they're worried about the shoulder surgery.
Oh, wait.
The artist formerly known as HigherPie.
Probably because he can't play 3B anymore
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 still take him at that salary as a full-time DH
Plus, he can as likely play it as the guy for whom he’d be filling in if/when said incumbent breaks. And if he signed with Atlanta, they must feel he can play a position because he won’t be DHing. That being said, if all he could do is DH I’d sign him for $2.5M no question.
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 playing first base for Atlanta.
They call their best player "Kung Fu Panda" and they complain that people aren’t taking them or the game seriously enough? -Nick
That's probably a good call by the Braves
But just like he may not be able to play 3B, or may, he may be able to handle 1B (but not 3B) — or he may not be able to handle playing in the field, period.
It’s similar to the Chavy dilemmas of recent years, where I’ve at times lobbied for him to be put at DH or 1B to try to get more health, and more bat, out of him, but also known that he isn’t as useful there — not is it guaranteed he’d stay healthy there either.
I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal
Yeah I don't think they'll move Chipper from third.
Subsequently, I wouldn’t want Glaus brought in for a year to primarily DH or play first base, pushing Barton back yet again.
2.5M for Glaus may be a great deal if he puts up an .850 OPS again this year, but even if he were to do that in Oakland, it’s at the expense of finding out whether or not Macpherson or Jake Fox can actually hit in the big leagues, or Aaron Cunningham, or Travis Buck, etc
At this point, I’m much more in favor of using the DH slot in the lineup as a rotating position for guys like I mentioned above to get ABs
They call their best player "Kung Fu Panda" and they complain that people aren’t taking them or the game seriously enough? -Nick
Coco is a TRUE centerfielder
Didn’t we need one of those, too? See Raj Davis playing out of position all last year. It’s December. Duke will sign with us and we will also get another 3rd baseman. Everyone chill, have happy holidays, and a belated Happy Chanukah!
"I'm not bad, I'm just drawn that way." -Jessica Rabbit
by A'sfansince1970 on Dec 23, 2009 1:06 PM PST up reply actions
Rajai is a true CFer; where do you get that he isn't?
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
Just from his late reads on flyballs during the season.
He seems more comfortable in left, IMHO.
"I'm not bad, I'm just drawn that way." -Jessica Rabbit
by A'sfansince1970 on Dec 23, 2009 1:14 PM PST up reply actions
When have you seen him in LF?
And have you seen a lot of instances where he got a late read and as a result couldn’t make the play? Because I saw a lot of good reads, and some bad reads that he outran, but only a couple “oops” misreads that were costly.
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're absolutely horrible at scouting outfield defense
No offense, but this is so far off base.
Rajai is one of the better defensive CFs in baseball, and you’re imagining this “late reads” thing. Raj is also almost certainly better than Crisp out there, too. At worst, they’re about equal.
www.zekeishungry.com
what exactly is a TRUE center fielder, anyway?
Is it like a true yankee (puke) where you have to do something cool playing CF before you’re recognized there?
They call their best player "Kung Fu Panda" and they complain that people aren’t taking them or the game seriously enough? -Nick
Based on my sample size of Kotsay,
I’d say it requires:
1. good fundamentals
2. grit
3. a hot wife
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 heart Jamie Kotsay.
They call their best player "Kung Fu Panda" and they complain that people aren’t taking them or the game seriously enough? -Nick
some website had the hottest WAGS...she made the list...
by inbillywetrust on Dec 23, 2009 4:48 PM PST up reply actions
whoa
Nick Swisher’s girl is HOT! #24
You have to include smiley faces - Poppy
;- ) :- ) :-O : -> : -] : -}
This isn't a comment directed at you
I really, really dislike the term ‘WAG’
I suspect that you think tilting at windmills means something other than what it does.
WHY?
It's not the results, it's how you look going about those results -- Tim McCarver
by WaddellCanseco on Dec 23, 2009 6:44 PM PST up reply actions
It's the WAGS vs the COUGARS in...
MILF BOWL III
(during commercial breaks in the Super Bowl)
"Sniff some krazy glue, and start a religion!"- The Reverend Billy Lard
by Gaijin_Suketto on Dec 24, 2009 1:56 AM PST up reply actions
yum.
I’ll bring dip.
Sock puppets have never been able to successfully attack castles. -NM
by Leopold Bloom on Dec 24, 2009 2:29 AM PST up reply actions
No, that's "wog".
They start at Calais.
There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, Than are dreamt of in your philosophy.
Am I the only one persnickety enough
to be bothered by the use of “WAG” in the singular?
You can have WAGs, but you can’t have just a WAG. She’s either a W or a G. Or at the very least, if you don’t know which she is, then she’s a WOG.
There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, Than are dreamt of in your philosophy.
Um, what's a WAG?
Sock puppets have never been able to successfully attack castles. -NM
by Leopold Bloom on Dec 24, 2009 7:48 PM PST up reply actions
"WAGs" are "wives and girlfriends"
There’s no such thing as just a WAG. That’s the point.
There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, Than are dreamt of in your philosophy.
OH!
Well, I see. Hmm.
A problem.
Sock puppets have never been able to successfully attack castles. -NM
by Leopold Bloom on Dec 25, 2009 12:26 AM PST up reply actions
That is just flat out wrong
Tiger Woods has a WAG.
CuttheMullet, from "The Thread":
"Whenever I’m about to do something, I think "would an idiot do that?" and if they would, I do not do that thing."
I stand corrected!
There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, Than are dreamt of in your philosophy.
I'm still with you though
It should be either WAGs or just not at all.
CuttheMullet, from "The Thread":
"Whenever I’m about to do something, I think "would an idiot do that?" and if they would, I do not do that thing."
I just went to that link and noticed
who they’re featuring in their “The 15 Sexiest Female Athletes to Watch” story right below.
I now officially hate Bleacher Report even more than I hate ESPN. They are scum.
There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, Than are dreamt of in your philosophy.
and NEVER SMILING in official team photographs
I suspect that you think tilting at windmills means something other than what it does.
tired of everyone oogling his wife, I'd wager.
Sock puppets have never been able to successfully attack castles. -NM
by Leopold Bloom on Dec 23, 2009 1:46 PM PST up reply actions
Is that a combination of ogling and googling?
It's not the results, it's how you look going about those results -- Tim McCarver
by WaddellCanseco on Dec 23, 2009 4:58 PM PST up reply actions
no, that ogling the way it SHOULD be spelled.
ogling looks…incomplete.
Sock puppets have never been able to successfully attack castles. -NM
by Leopold Bloom on Dec 23, 2009 5:08 PM PST up reply actions
I'll take oogling if we can change it to gogling
It's not the results, it's how you look going about those results -- Tim McCarver
by WaddellCanseco on Dec 23, 2009 5:11 PM PST up reply actions
we'd have to change it to gogle.com,
but that is shorter…
I’ll support your crazy request if you support mine.
Sock puppets have never been able to successfully attack castles. -NM
by Leopold Bloom on Dec 23, 2009 9:11 PM PST up reply actions
Done!
(reneges on commitment)
It's not the results, it's how you look going about those results -- Tim McCarver
by WaddellCanseco on Dec 23, 2009 9:52 PM PST up reply actions
Slupdate:
UPDATE: The deal is for $4.75 million in 2010, with a $5.75 option for 2011 and a buyout of $500,000.
I really just can’t believe this.
The artist formerly known as HigherPie.
and .5.75 million option?
I will cry, if that happens. Unless it’s like saying, sure, Coco, we’ll have a one billionty dollar option. right.
I suspect that you think tilting at windmills means something other than what it does.
With the buyout (which I'm guessing has a really good chance of happening)
The A’s are basically paying $5.25MM for 1 year of Coco Crisp.
The artist formerly known as HigherPie.
Yeah, that makes me sad, too
I suspect that you think tilting at windmills means something other than what it does.
The only way I could see this being worse is if they end up paying
$10.5MM for 2 years of Coco Crisp.
The artist formerly known as HigherPie.
please, let us not speak those words
I’m trying to have a nice Christmas
I suspect that you think tilting at windmills means something other than what it does.
Thanks, Blez!
Great post! I don’t understand why everyone’s freaking out about Coco.
1. He’s a true centerfielder, which Raj is not. Raj can go into left field and not be out of position. If Coco and Raj get on, first to 3rd, etc., with a doubles hitter like Sweeney getting them in, less need for homers.
2. Buck/Hairston will go away for a 3rd baseman.
3. Duke will sign with the A’s for a 2 year lower money deal. I think they stood with him during his ordeal and he feels at home in Oakland.
4. If I’m right, great! It aint over yet, anyway.
Happy Holidays! Belated Happy Chanukah!
"I'm not bad, I'm just drawn that way." -Jessica Rabbit
by A'sfansince1970 on Dec 23, 2009 1:03 PM PST reply actions
Raj is as TRUE a CF as I've ever seen. Not the best, but the truest.
Take it from me. It’s the truth.
It's not the results, it's how you look going about those results -- Tim McCarver
by WaddellCanseco on Dec 23, 2009 5:00 PM PST up reply actions
I cannot tell a lie...
…I am going to steal that base.
"Sniff some krazy glue, and start a religion!"- The Reverend Billy Lard
by Gaijin_Suketto on Dec 24, 2009 1:57 AM PST up reply actions 1 recs
Nice
"HARK! BUT LOOK OVER HERE, IT'S A COST CONTROLLED COCO CRISP! DOES MY USE OF ALLITERATION HYPNOTIZE YOU?" (PL78)
by Player To Be Named Later on Dec 24, 2009 2:54 PM PST up reply actions
He's not the best
But he’s probably a Top 5 defensive CF if he’s playing there every day. He might not hit a lick, but the one thing he can damn sure do is go get the ball.
www.zekeishungry.com
True
It's not the results, it's how you look going about those results -- Tim McCarver
by WaddellCanseco on Dec 24, 2009 1:23 AM PST up reply actions
chirp!
I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal
yeah, im pretty sure he comes back to Oakland
If he wants to full time DH, the A’s are one of two places left.
"I generally avoid temptation unless I can't resist it" ~ Mae West
Peralta
Rotoworld reports that the Indians are open to moving Jhonny Peralta in a trade. He would fit in nicely… right handed and can play 3B or SS so we would have some flexibility if McPherson or Fox look solid at 3B. Not sure who the Indians would have play SS, but if they like the idea of a trade they must have someone in mind.
He is owed $4.7 in 2010 which seems about right and maybe even cheap given the position(s) he plays. Coming off a down year, it could be a good buy low opportunity. Also, consider the lack of talent it took to get CC and Lee out of there and I think Billy could pull a fast one on them pretty easily.
I know we have had our fill of SS that OPS under .700 but 2009 really looks like the exception rather than the rule for Jhonny. He posted an OPS of .804 in 2008 and even .885 in 2005. His defense isn’t great but I would guess it would be solid at 3B.
Hairston might look better to them than Crowe or Brantley in their outfield along with Choo and Sizemore. He would also save them a few dollars. Their relief pitchers aren’t the greatest either so we could toss in someone to sweeten the deal.
Asdrubal Cabrera is the Indians' SS of the present/future,
so Peralta is definitely expendable to CLE. He’s a pretty poor defensive SS, though; I think he’d be a better solution for the A’s at 3B, where he probably should move wherever he plays in 2010. I’d say “maybe buy low” to put him at 3B, and “no” to giving anything up to put him at SS.
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
Buck for Peralta?
They call their best player "Kung Fu Panda" and they complain that people aren’t taking them or the game seriously enough? -Nick
I could bring Jhonny back upon my return.
We could discuss spelling.
Sock puppets have never been able to successfully attack castles. -NM
by Leopold Bloom on Dec 23, 2009 2:03 PM PST up reply actions
Would that discussion go:
If you do really well, you can spell it however the hell you want. The moment you suck, you’re spelling it correctly?
CuttheMullet, from "The Thread":
"Whenever I’m about to do something, I think "would an idiot do that?" and if they would, I do not do that thing."
especially if we're giving up Travis Buck, who spells his name all normally AND it's all short.
Sock puppets have never been able to successfully attack castles. -NM
by Leopold Bloom on Dec 23, 2009 9:12 PM PST up reply actions
Yeah, 28 years ago.
Sock puppets have never been able to successfully attack castles. -NM
by Leopold Bloom on Dec 23, 2009 9:12 PM PST up reply actions
But you'd bond with him on the way there, and not have the heart to leave him in Cleveland
It's not the results, it's how you look going about those results -- Tim McCarver
by WaddellCanseco on Dec 23, 2009 5:02 PM PST up reply actions
Sort of. Peralta's true hitting line is unclear enough,
and his defense at SS poor enough, that I’m not sure he’s necessarily an upgrade over Pennington at SS. Hardy would have been, because independent of his wildly fluctuating hitting his defense remained solid. Not sure about Jhonhnhy.
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 think Peralta is a better hitter than JJ
Its close but accounting for the league differential, I think Peralta has the edge. JJ is better at defense, but we don’t need Peralta to play there every day, just as an in case if Pennington is hurt or sucking a whole lot. 1 year at $5MM in exchange for some spare parts for an ok 3B/SS with some pop doesn’t sound too bad. Would we have taken JJ at that price?
Its not like there are great options available either. I am not on the Beltre bandwagon unless its for less than 3/$25M. Derosa is a slightly better option than Peralta but costs more and is a greater injury risk.
McPherson/Fox may be one of the better options actually.
Yeah, I understand the appeal of
“If Pennington bombs we have a better option than Petit,” but like Glaus replacing Chavez it wouldn’t be so much an upgrade as it would be “another not so great option.” Whereas Peralta at 3B, if he could play good defense, could be an upgrade — at this stage of their careers, I’d liken it to Tejada, who also hasn’t played 3B but might be well suited to it right now, and who would provide a RH bat with some theoretical, and possibly real, pop.
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
True
Tejada is a pretty close comparable… better hitter, but also older (they may actually be similar hitters given Tejadas lack of power even in the NL). Tejada would cost more, but you don’t need to trade anything. If the A’s can trade pieces they don’t care about, I like the idea of Peralta. If they give up even one valuable piece, I do not like it.
I'd be happy with Peralta just so they wouldn't have to carry Petit in the majors
or Aaron Miles
It's not the results, it's how you look going about those results -- Tim McCarver
by WaddellCanseco on Dec 23, 2009 5:03 PM PST up reply actions
Plus we could get "frequent flyer peraltas"
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
Or aloo peraltas
It's not the results, it's how you look going about those results -- Tim McCarver
by WaddellCanseco on Dec 23, 2009 5:11 PM PST up reply actions
Actually...
A Peralta for Hairston swap looks decent for both teams.
At least at first glance.
Peralta could play 3B (and only 3B, don’t know what took the Indians so long to figure it out) and is signed through 2010 with a team controlled option for 2011. Hairston is arby eligible for the next two seasons, so that’s a push. Peralta will make $4.6 million next year and his $7 million option has a $250K buy-out. Hairston is going to get a bit of a raise from the $1.25 million he made in 2009 but no way does he get $4.6 million like Peralta so the Indians are going to be saving money in the deal. Plus, the arbitration settlement isn’t guaranteed so if Hairston bombs in ST the Indians can just cut him loose at the cost of approximately $500K.
Both offer some RH power without the teams really knowing what they’re going to get.
Question is, who plays 3B for Cleveland if they deal Peralta? It doesn’t make sense that they’d expect his replacement to come in the trade. And would that player plus Hairston provide an upgrade over what they expect out of Peralta.
The monster at the end of this blog.
Is Peralta a better option at 3B than Fox/McPherson?
I think we can expect some combination of those 2 to have an OPS over .700. If they can play better than horrible defense then is there really a need to sign/trade for anyone at 3B and throw away $5M+ unless its a clear upgrade or defensive move (Beltre).
Or is the concensus that Fox can’t play 3B at all and McPherson is too much of an unknown at the plate?
But still… backup SS would be covered : )
The Indians have a ton of "3Bmen who may not stick there but can hit..."
(I’m surprised they didn’t trade for Brett Wallace just to “collect all 12!”) Wes Hodges, Beau Mills, and so on. I imagine that just like the A’s as currently constituted, they can pick from a Fox and a McPherson and eventually settle on one guy who can play passably there (or not) while hitting some (or not). But that’s kind of Peralta, too.
I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal
I guess Marte would be their guy if they traded Peralta.
It's not the results, it's how you look going about those results -- Tim McCarver
by WaddellCanseco on Dec 23, 2009 5:04 PM PST up reply actions
Like it or not: 1. Coco, 2 Raji....is great
1-2 in the lineup….coco or Raji, no matter who bats 1st – its the best 1-2 combo since Rickey was with us.
To have some speed at the top of the lineup is going to do wonders for the middle of our lineup – because trust me, where going to need it.
+1
I agree that Davis is better batting second, not first.
If Rajai Davis is your best hitter, there's no point in playing the games
He’s not a #2 hitter, just as much as Crisp is not a #1 hitter.
www.zekeishungry.com
Unfortunately they will be.
It's not the results, it's how you look going about those results -- Tim McCarver
by WaddellCanseco on Dec 24, 2009 1:23 AM PST up reply actions
Right, until I kidnap Bob Geren and waterboard him until he doesn't do something so stupid
Rajai can hit 1 if he hits like he did last year. Crisp is the #8 hitter on this team.
Of course, he let a below-replacement Cabrera hit 1-2 while he was in Oakland, too. Why does Geren like putting the worst, or one of the worst, hitters so high in the order? I know it doesn’t matter so much, but when it’s such and obvious, easy fix. FIX IT.
www.zekeishungry.com
Thanks for stopping before you got to the 3-4-5
Sweeney, Fox, Suzuki? I think somewhere a newborn kitten just got run over by a tractor.
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 concerned
that people think that as soon as Carter and Taylor come up, they’ll immediately and for all time be awesome, and then if they shold come up and have struggles at the start, there will be a Barton-esque reaction.
I suspect that you think tilting at windmills means something other than what it does.
I strongly believe that they'll immediately be awesome
and then for 6.7 years, but not for all time. We’ll shrewdly game their service time of course to get that all important .7 years.
It's not the results, it's how you look going about those results -- Tim McCarver
by WaddellCanseco on Dec 23, 2009 5:05 PM PST up reply actions
you are a man of stronger faith than I
I suspect that you think tilting at windmills means something other than what it does.
And the kitten comes out of its coma, runs off and lives a happy life with a farmer in Topeka!!!
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
Why would a farmer live in Topeka rather than on a farm?
It's not the results, it's how you look going about those results -- Tim McCarver
by WaddellCanseco on Dec 23, 2009 5:13 PM PST up reply actions
Rural Topeka
Where the men are “may-en” and the sheep are scared in the Berkeley witness protection program.
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
No it's not. It's ok if we're lucky, and way closer to "really bad" than "great"
With stout hearts, and with enthusiasm for the contest, let us go forward to victory. ----Hero Defector Montgomery
You know what's a lot more important than speed, for a middle of a lineup?
Having players “on base”.
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?
They likely will trade hairston
His trackrecord is a bit longer than the 3 months of Rajai.
I dont think they have any intention of paying him $3mill in arby. This team has 7 OF’s on the 40man roster especially no shortage of corner OF’s. They might recoup thevalue of gallagher + italiano/webb. But I dont think A’s valued those pitchers as much either.
Giants offered 2/12 for Derosa
What do you all think about that price? I can’t say I would mind him for that or a little more. His positional flexibility is worth a lot I think.
Then again, combining his history with the A’s and he might be on the DL for the entire 2 years.
I'd say it's a lowball offer that someone's going to beat handily.
"PECOTA can pretty much kiss my ass."-Nico
Cheerios on Coco Crisp .. but one correction
More than one report has mentioned a .377 career on-base. The stats I have read say .331. Still, I think Crisp will add some snap, crackle and pop … if he can stay healthy. The Running’ A’s may make a run in ‘10 if they can also be the Swingin’ A’s who from mid-July to late September (but not the final meaningless week) hit enough balls in the gap to be close to the majors’ lead in doubles and lead the majors in steals over that period.
Rajai may have led the AL or majors in steals post-All-Star. Crisp steals more than 20 a year, Mark Ellis can steal, and Cliff Pennington is fast. I loved Lou Brock when I was a Cardinals fan long ago, and I loved Rickey Henderson. I like being aggressive on the bases, and that might be a good reason to bring back Adam Kennedy, even though there’s no place he readliy fits into the lineup. Then again, most guys need a day off here and there, and I could see Kennedy playing some place over 100 games particularly with the A’s penchant for injuries.
by nativetexanasfan on Dec 23, 2009 2:02 PM PST reply actions
It's .331
Crisp has never had an OBP higher than .345. He would be, quite frankly, a pretty fucking terrible leadoff man.
www.zekeishungry.com
Yes but he's our pretty fucking terrible leadoff man
It's not the results, it's how you look going about those results -- Tim McCarver
by WaddellCanseco on Dec 24, 2009 1:24 AM PST up reply actions
Well at least he's pretty
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 Yankees have about $4MM to spend on a left fielder, according to the New York Daily News.
Maybe in a buy low situation with Buck or Hairston could interest them
I don't wanna see one of our guys go to the Yankees and succeed.
That would suck.
Sock puppets have never been able to successfully attack castles. -NM
by Leopold Bloom on Dec 23, 2009 2:04 PM PST up reply actions
Swish :(
Damn you for bringing that into my head. Damn youuuuuuu :(
"You're just jealous. You wish you had a rally animal..." -CardinalWraith
I know.
I know.
Sock puppets have never been able to successfully attack castles. -NM
by Leopold Bloom on Dec 23, 2009 2:40 PM PST up reply actions
Reggie, Catfish, Rickey, Jason
It's not the results, it's how you look going about those results -- Tim McCarver
by WaddellCanseco on Dec 23, 2009 5:07 PM PST up reply actions
Rickey came back.
And Zombie Jason did, too.
Sock puppets have never been able to successfully attack castles. -NM
by Leopold Bloom on Dec 23, 2009 5:08 PM PST up reply actions
So did Reggie
It's not the results, it's how you look going about those results -- Tim McCarver
by WaddellCanseco on Dec 23, 2009 5:10 PM PST up reply actions
Oh yeah!
But he skeeved us for George Steinbrenner. 67M aside, I’ve kind of not forgiven him. Don’t tell Don.
Sock puppets have never been able to successfully attack castles. -NM
by Leopold Bloom on Dec 23, 2009 9:13 PM PST up reply actions
Well Finley traded him to Baltimore.
He couldn’t very well come back at that point. I’m still resentful about the HOF Yankee cap though.
It's not the results, it's how you look going about those results -- Tim McCarver
by WaddellCanseco on Dec 23, 2009 9:54 PM PST up reply actions
Reggie has publicicly stated
The Oakland front office went out the way to diss him as a coach. When I heard him talk about it recently on his Sirius satellite show, he still sounded angry about it.
I've heard that.
That was a long time ago. Time to get over it.
He belongs with us. He wants to be with New York. It’s not right.
Sock puppets have never been able to successfully attack castles. -NM
by Leopold Bloom on Dec 24, 2009 7:49 PM PST up reply actions
I've heard that as well, but...
…I honestly don’t believe Reggie… while a great player… was/is good coach material.
What are we at the park for except to win? I'd trip my mother. I'd help her up, brusher her off, tell her I'm sorry. But mother don't make it to third. ~Leo Durocher
Hairston
I’d like to move him for something.
The Ultimate Opportunist
by Rated-R Superstar on Dec 23, 2009 2:37 PM PST up reply actions
HAHAHAHAHAHA.
That’s all I have to say about the idea of “the Yankees have about $4MM to spend” on anything.
"PECOTA can pretty much kiss my ass."-Nico
George's birthday party, maybe.
Sock puppets have never been able to successfully attack castles. -NM
by Leopold Bloom on Dec 23, 2009 2:51 PM PST up reply actions
"No, Hal, I want PANDA EGGS, God damnit!"
“But, Dad, Pandas are mammals…”
“I don’t give a shit! Make it happen, boy! This is why I put Hank in charge!”
Sock puppets have never been able to successfully attack castles. -NM
by Leopold Bloom on Dec 23, 2009 3:01 PM PST up reply actions 1 recs
Pablo Sandoval sat on a tuffet
breeding Steinbrenner’s eggs….
"Sniff some krazy glue, and start a religion!"- The Reverend Billy Lard
by Gaijin_Suketto on Dec 24, 2009 2:03 AM PST up reply actions
Pablo Sandoval...
I’m reminded of Mikey’s sigline…
He’s an asshat and he plays on a team full of asshats.
Sock puppets have never been able to successfully attack castles. -NM
by Leopold Bloom on Dec 24, 2009 2:30 AM PST up reply actions
I see him at the yogurt shop on King Street
near Pac-bell park from time to time. I was behind him in line once and he growled “Mango, Coconut”, seemed appropriate for some reason.
he didn't poo on the floor, did he?
Sock puppets have never been able to successfully attack castles. -NM
by Leopold Bloom on Dec 24, 2009 7:50 PM PST up reply actions
then the yankees could have the hairston brothers...both of 'em
by inbillywetrust on Dec 23, 2009 4:50 PM PST up reply actions
Scotty H is probably still the best power hitter in that OF
I still seem him playing in the OF and DH – and often unless there is a trade in the future
He must be really powerful then.
It's not the results, it's how you look going about those results -- Tim McCarver
by WaddellCanseco on Dec 23, 2009 5:08 PM PST up reply actions
He's pretty much exactly like Clark Kent only without glasses.
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
Kinda tired about all of this trading & the A's
Well, this might not be the thread to post it on, but whatever…
I’ve been an A’s fan since they moved to Oakland in 1968 & I was a foolish freshman in high school. We live overseas in Bulgaria & work there. My 12 yr. old son is such an A’s fan that he either screams or cries when the A’s get behind or lose…a need for counseling, I guess.
Anyway, as I read on one thread lately, I’m just burned out by not having a lineup or some stars with the A’s. Ok, I grew up with Rick Monday, Reggie, Blue Moon, Catfish & Vida. What will my son get but NO superstar, or real star, & nearly an entirely new lineup every year. Why should I be a fan every year of a bunch of no-names? Frankly, it is a pathetic comment on the state of baseball these days. As you all know, the A’s are a farm team for the richer teams. It just fries me that we don’t have a good or great player to stick around awhile like Stew & Mac did. It sure is NOT the way to build your fan base. Naturally, I’ll always be an A’s fan, but I’m not gonna waste many more bucks going to their games, when we are in the States every other year, to watch a bunch of Joe Blows play ball…
Well if they have no stars and no-names, they're not much of a farm team
It's not the results, it's how you look going about those results -- Tim McCarver
by WaddellCanseco on Dec 24, 2009 1:25 AM PST up reply actions
You're not watching Joe Blows.
You’re watching the Oakland A’s
I think this is going to replace my “jack cust is fucking clutch” argument. THE A’S ARE STILL THE A’S EVEN IF THE ROSTER CHANGES A LOT
They call their best player "Kung Fu Panda" and they complain that people aren’t taking them or the game seriously enough? -Nick
The Oakland A's 2010 Slogan-
“Hey Man… nice shirt!”
"Sniff some krazy glue, and start a religion!"- The Reverend Billy Lard
by Gaijin_Suketto on Dec 24, 2009 2:05 AM PST up reply actions
They were going to use
“Hey Man… nice pants!” But they couldn’t find them. After an hour of searching, someone reminded them that they aren’t selling jeans. Boy was the face red. I think they’re Angels fans now. Good riddance.
CuttheMullet, from "The Thread":
"Whenever I’m about to do something, I think "would an idiot do that?" and if they would, I do not do that thing."
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