A's Updates
by baseballgirl on Dec 23, 2009 3:08 PM PST
186 comments
From MLB.com:
It's now official -- the A's signed center fielder Coco Crisp to a one-year deal with a club option for 2011, the team announced Wednesday.
The deal is reportedly worth $4.5 million and news of the A's and Crisp nearing an agreement was originally reported on Sunday. Crisp, who had surgery on both shoulders this year, passed his physical on Tuesday to make the signing official.
From Mychael Urban's Twitter:
MUrbanCSN Learned that A's are still talking to J. Cust. And don't believe that J. Duchscherer is about to sign somewhere. He's not.
Thoughts?
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mouth breather
"Not in your wildest alcoholic nightmare would you ever imagine such events unfolding!" Bill King
by Buck Turgidson on Dec 23, 2009 5:08 PM PST up reply actions
i read somewhere that the a's are still interested in duke
does this make any sense? i have to imagine that he doesn’t really want to come back and beane probably doesn’t see him in the a’s future. and now that the yanks have vasquez and the sox have lackey, where could he go?
he has said that he doesn't want to be a reliever though.
thats why he’s running out of places, if he was willing to go into the bullpen, im sure one of the big market teams would’ve already signed him
Maybe I'm missing something, but why-
wouldn’t he want to come back?
The A’s reconverted him to a starter which was what he wanted all along.
East Coast is a plus for him
because that’s where his kid is.
There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, Than are dreamt of in your philosophy.
yep
I think the article on his depression mentioned being far away from his son contributed to his condition. His ex-wife lives in New Jersey I believe.
You have to include smiley faces - Poppy
;- ) :- ) :-O : -> : -] : -}
It makes great sense.
He immediately becomes the A’s best or second-best starter, he’s still comparatively cheap, and he provides a veteran presence for a young staff, yet one that should still have considerable gas in the tank.
"PECOTA can pretty much kiss my ass."-Nico
I have ahard time understanding this one
Why pay a guy 5 million when he’s coming off a pretty serious injury. Rajai Davis worked his butt off last year and proved he could more than adequately handle CF. I like Crisp and if he performs like he did in 05 then great sign Billy, but I seriously doubt that.
I keep hearing a trade is coming, and I certainly hope that’s true. Who’s going then, is it Rajai Davis, Hairston, maybe Sweeney. I’m not hating Crisp, and I’ll certainly welcome him in, just confused about this. Are we rebuilding or not????
It sure is confusing. I'm in the same boat as you.
There are so many thing that could happen. We just need to be patient and see what happens. Go Oakland Athletics!
One Year Contract Could Become 1st Round Draft Pick?
If Crisp is a Type A – Then maybe the A’s get a 1st round supplemental pick for the upfront cost at the worst, and if fantasies come true who knows. But yeah I don’t like this move at all.
Thoughts?
I’m really glad it’s so sunny in LA at the moment. Getting rained on in San Francisco was getting me down
I suspect that you think tilting at windmills means something other than what it does.
random thought
I got this funny feeling that BB is gonna do something big. Perhaps something with San Diego with his old friends Sandy and Paul. How crazy am I to think that Adrian Gonzalez is a possibility. Or is it just wishful thinking?
More than wishful thinking -- self-destructive "feel good now" move
Undo the rebuild by shipping a bunch of good prospects away, to get one stud who plays one of the few positions where the A’s are relatively set for several years (Barton, Doolittle, Carter…). Don’t get me wrong: Adrian Gonzalez is a great player. But the cost would be exactly the type the A’s need to avoid — their best prospects.
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 not?
Classic selling high, no? Will he have a similar year next year? Probably not. If we can put together Davis and Hairston/Buck for a top rated 3rd baseman?
"I'm not bad, I'm just drawn that way." -Jessica Rabbit
by A'sfansince1970 on Dec 23, 2009 3:41 PM PST up reply actions
Why not?
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
Do you remember
the game/season he had up to and including the A’s only visit to Florida this last season?
I wanted the A’s to leave him here.
Sock puppets have never been able to successfully attack castles. -NM
by Leopold Bloom on Dec 23, 2009 5:02 PM PST up reply actions
What can we deduce from this?
1. Coco got no other offers. Otherwise, why the hell would he come to Oakland, where the chance of reaching the postseason is about 10000 – 1
2. Kansas City is no longer MBL hell. Oakland is. Coco is just going with what feels familiar.
3. I’m || this close to becoming a Giants fan. Seriously… I am so tired of this bullshit. Taylor and Crisp as our acquisitions to get the team ready for 2010? WTF? We’ll end up in the cellar behind a much improved Mariners, not much worse Angels, and At least we have more than 10 team home runs next year Rangers. How about someone at 3rd? How about a real anchor veteran for the starting pitching? I’m so tired of trading prospects for prospects, prospects for has beens, and prospects for average players.
ENOUGH
I miss Eric Plunk
How long have you been a fan?
Give Beane some more time, he’s just getting warmed up! Don’t overreact! And the Giant’s have done absolutely nothing and are going nowhere.
"I'm not bad, I'm just drawn that way." -Jessica Rabbit
by A'sfansince1970 on Dec 23, 2009 3:43 PM PST up reply actions
How about it's December 23rd?
"The A's get some action but they do not score..." -Glen Kuiper
"Anyone who calls themselves the Angels Angels should have to start over and ride the short bus." -timmeh from McCovey Chronicles
A's v Giants "is kind of like the difference between going to see the Ramones and going to see the Bee Gees. A's fans will go see the Ramones."
-BB 07/27/05
by xbhaskarx on Dec 23, 2009 3:58 PM PST up reply actions 7 recs
this
"Not in your wildest alcoholic nightmare would you ever imagine such events unfolding!" Bill King
by Buck Turgidson on Dec 23, 2009 5:12 PM PST up reply actions
are you angry or are you Satan?
Sock puppets have never been able to successfully attack castles. -NM
by Leopold Bloom on Dec 23, 2009 8:51 PM PST up reply actions
the former
Speaking of Satan, have you heard the story where Santa is some relative of Satan. He’s been put under a curse where he’s doomed to roam the earth giving away presents every year. Very Flying Dutchman-ish.
Someone told me that this year, but I can’t remember where it comes from.
There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, Than are dreamt of in your philosophy.
I LIKE it!
Ever seen Malkovich on SNL, reading A Christmas Carol?
Sorry for the surroundings…
Sock puppets have never been able to successfully attack castles. -NM
by Leopold Bloom on Dec 23, 2009 8:59 PM PST up reply actions
That Garko trade looks like a great deal
Go follow Sabean and the Giants
by echerrst on Dec 23, 2009 4:03 PM PST up reply actions 1 recs
AGREED
Find a GM who wins more games with the same budget. Oh right, there aren’t any.
Seriously, what exactly were you expecting? The A’s are forced to play this game, every year, or every other year, or the year after, or whenever we can sign good players for cheap who all peak at the same time. It’s damn-near impossible.
But at least we make it interesting. If it ever does work, I’ll be there.
…and part of me really hopes you’re not.
by A's Fan by Design on Dec 23, 2009 4:10 PM PST up reply actions
You prove my point.
“The A’s are forced to play this game, every year, or every other year, or the year after”…
I’ve been a fan since 1987 when we moved to Alameda. I know we’ve had good times and bad, but this same game is getting old. At least it worked back in 2000. Everybody knows Beane’s schtick now and the moves he makes get us nowhere. He doesn’t surprise any other teams now with his wizardry. I’m not saying we need to win the world series, but when the biggest thing we could root for in 2009 was, what, a 7 game streak that got us to 15 games under or something? It just gets tiring.
And I don’t want to hear about a big move coming. It won’t matter. He got one of the best hitters in the game in Holliday last year ( in know, from the thin air in CO) and it didn’t help anybody. All we did was sit here and complain about how shitty he played and looked like he didn’t want to be here. And then he blows up in StL. Big surprise.
Face it, we’re a joke of a team, nobody even flinches when the A’s come to town. All other teams watch us for is to see who they can pick off at their peak when Beane gets antsy for some prospects.
I miss Eric Plunk
Understand the frustration can reach crazy levels
But take a deep breath and understand many experts think we could be close to something special or at least competitive. Carter, Cardenas, Taylor, young SP, heck of a pen, etc.
And in this forum it can get ugly to voice such an unbridled pessimistic opinion; you’ll become the backend of the donkey with all the faithful trying to pin the tail on you. I have been there, I know.
Baja been here
Um, we were in the playoffs as recently as '06
Go boo-hoo to Royals, Pirates, Blue Jays, Nationals, Reds, Rangers, Padres, Giants, Astros and Cubs fans about our lack of success.
by cityplANner on Dec 23, 2009 6:44 PM PST up reply actions 1 recs
Higher standards are wrong?
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
Fewer wins within a budget doesn't impress me.
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
Didn't the Marlins have a winning season this year?
Find a GM who wins more games with the same budget. Oh right, there aren’t any.
The Marlins have a much lower payroll than the A’s.
There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, Than are dreamt of in your philosophy.
that may be
but I wouldn’t recommend emulating the Marlins in any way, shape, or form.
At least we keep our star players through their arbitration years.
Do we? Always?
And Hanley Ramirez says hi.
(Although I don’t disagree with you much- the Marlins have generally managed to put the word “cheap” in “cheapskate” in recent memory. What’s tough for many A’s fans to deal with is the sinking feeling the past few years now that the A’s are behaving in a similar fashion, albeit not quite to the same extreme.)
by still bills kingdom on Dec 23, 2009 9:20 PM PST up reply actions
How about winning 2 WS in 7 years?
It's not the results, it's how you look going about those results -- Tim McCarver
by WaddellCanseco on Dec 23, 2009 9:42 PM PST up reply actions
The Marlins do get their business done...
…I’ll give you that. I was mainly addressing the soon-to-be-Giants-fan by explaining that Beane somehow finds a team that has good chemistry and becomes competitive against teams whose payrolls are much higher than Oakland’s.
But touche. Nice work, and I admit that my statement wasn’t 100% accurate. That doesn’t necessarily discount everything else I said, though. Beane fights an uphill battle just about every season, and it works out occasionally (2006).
by A's Fan by Design on Dec 24, 2009 1:00 AM PST up reply actions
Don't know about the SAME budget...
…but the Twins do pretty damn good as a similar small-market team.
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
I agree with all the criticisms that are being posted of chuckcheeze's point of view
But it’s getting progressively harder to make the claim “find me a GM who wins more games with the same budget.” Minnesota and Florida do just as well, if not better.
We still need to be patient, regardless. Mismanagement of the minor league pipeline through 2006 created a problem that is taking years to address. Fortunately, we appear to be nearing the light at the end of that tunnel.
"PECOTA can pretty much kiss my ass."-Nico
I don't disagree with your overall assessment
But I think mismanagement of the minor league pipeline may be a bit too strong. He had been mortgaging the future in order to make our 6/7 year run and it just went barren in order to get us to where we were heading. He figured it out a little late, but then had he seen it earlier, we maybe not have been looking at the ALCS (and possible WS had it worked out) in ’06.
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."
The way I'd put it is that Moneyball suggested
“ZOMG, Billy Beane does something no other GM/team can do!” whereas realistically, he does something few other GMs/teams can do but doesn’t have the market cornered on getting the most out of the least.
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
Answers to questions
1. The chance of reaching the post-season by signing with Oakland is very very good. Look at Orlando Cabrera and Matt Holliday. If the A’s are out of it by mid-season and a play-off team comes calling, then Coco is crisped.
2. Maybe Coco wants to come to Oakland because it’s his best deal and/or he figures this is his best way to get with a contender, one way or the other.
3. It’s December 23rd and the off-season isn’t even half over. Sit tight.
You know what annoys me the most about all the recent Giants love on this site?
The Giants just came out of a similar 4 year run of being cellar dwellers. The only difference is they are in a worse league, worse division, with more money and higher draft picks. And in spite of all the money and high draft picks, the Giants aren’t really in great position.
Also, when have we traded a (good) prospect for a has been or an average player?
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
Its not Giants love, is A's contempt
I like being a hometown fan and if I somehow found it within myself to actually find another team (unlikely) i’d stick with the Giants so I can go to home games. So its more a matter of location than anything else when I say that.
I miss Eric Plunk
Fair enough.
I was just speaking in generalities about the Giants love on this site. i will say that if you do decide to become a Giants fan, it will become painful, quickly.
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
Well, we can always hope, anyhow.
Sock puppets have never been able to successfully attack castles. -NM
by Leopold Bloom on Dec 23, 2009 8:52 PM PST up reply actions
bamboo shoved underneath fingernails
vs. being chained to the ground over live bamboo sprouts…
hmm…
"Sniff some krazy glue, and start a religion!"- The Reverend Billy Lard
by Gaijin_Suketto on Dec 24, 2009 12:33 AM PST up reply actions
those both sound lovely.
Sock puppets have never been able to successfully attack castles. -NM
by Leopold Bloom on Dec 24, 2009 1:06 AM PST up reply actions
I think I speak for many here when I say
There are so many better teams to root for than the Gnats
"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 23, 2009 7:23 PM PST up reply actions
And you realize
The same criticisms you have of the A’s can pretty much be leveled at the Giants. The signings getting the team nowhere… Aaron Rowand, Barry Zito, Edgar Renteria, Bengie Molina… The main difference is, they don’t trade aging guys for up and comers… Unless you count Ray Durham for a box of balls. I ask you this… Had the Giants traded Matt Cain 3 years ago in a similar fashion to what the A’s did with Dan Haren… would they still suck as bad with 5 top level prospects hitting the big leagues in the past two years? They may have a real first base option that is cost controlled. They may have a real 5 man rotation rather than Tim L, Matt Cain and hope someone else can throw strikes on the next day. They might not have spent 18 million on Edgar Renteria…
So in 5 years, when you got tired of the Giants sucking, where would you turn then?
good riddance?
"Not in your wildest alcoholic nightmare would you ever imagine such events unfolding!" Bill King
by Buck Turgidson on Dec 23, 2009 5:11 PM PST up reply actions
#2
you are wrong. When was the last time kanas city went to the playoffs? When was the last time KC won a playoff series?
You have to include smiley faces - Poppy
;- ) :- ) :-O : -> : -] : -}
I wouldn't be shocked if the Royals finished with a better record than the A's.
It's not the results, it's how you look going about those results -- Tim McCarver
by WaddellCanseco on Dec 23, 2009 7:15 PM PST up reply actions
I would be.
Sock puppets have never been able to successfully attack castles. -NM
by Leopold Bloom on Dec 23, 2009 8:52 PM PST up reply actions
No, I think it's about a 50-50 chance.
It's not the results, it's how you look going about those results -- Tim McCarver
by WaddellCanseco on Dec 23, 2009 9:43 PM PST up reply actions
"Wouldn't Be Shocked"
So what you’re saying is that there may or may not be a chance that the A’s may or may not have more or less wins this season than the Royals may more may not have and regardless of the outcome you will not be surprised.
…but you’re not gonna step up and make it interesting.
…hm. Interesting.
by A's Fan by Design on Dec 24, 2009 1:02 AM PST up reply actions
only because of the Cy Young award winner on their team
You have to include smiley faces - Poppy
;- ) :- ) :-O : -> : -] : -}
The last time the Royals had more wins than the A's
was 1997
There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, Than are dreamt of in your philosophy.
oh god, we were horrible in '97....
I almost just threw up.
Sock puppets have never been able to successfully attack castles. -NM
by Leopold Bloom on Dec 23, 2009 9:14 PM PST up reply actions
The funny thing is,
the Royals were also horrible that year. But they did have slightly more wins. Something like 67 vs 65, I think.
There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, Than are dreamt of in your philosophy.
Hahahaha
You wanna be a Giants fan? Why don’t you just say you want to become a Detroit Lions and Charlotte Bobcats fan while you’re at it?
Here’s the Giants mentality: We have tremendous pitching but no hitting. Let’s NOT spend money on hitters in the offseason or trade for one, and go into the season with Pablo Sandoval as our best hitter! We’re sure to beat the Dodgers that way! Sabean is a joke of a GM and should be fired.
Real fans stick by their teams. True fans suffer the hard times to make the good times that much sweeter. I suffered through the infamous Jeter flip, T-Long’s strikeout looking (SWING TERRENCE! SWING!!!) and all of the first round collapses, which made Game 3 of the 2009 ALDS that much better. Go join the milquetoast franchise across the bay. When the A’s finally do raise that championship banner, we’ll send you and Sabes an A’s World Champion T-Shirt. Too bad Giants fans have never seen on with their team’s name on it.
Wait -- going into a season with Sandoval as your best hitter
is worse than going into a season with Ryan Sweeney and Kurt Suzuki battling for that honor? That doesn’t quite work.
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
Three problems with your comment, Nico
No. 1 Are you defending someone jumping ship to go be a Giants fan? Seems like it.
No. 2 A’s payroll in 2009: 62 million, which they then cut from with trades. Giants payroll in 2009: 82 million, which they then added to with trades. That’s why you can’t compare A’s best hitter to their best hitter.
No. 3 The Giants organization says it is legitimately contending, but then does nothing about it. Billy Beane finds a political way to say, come see us in 2011 or 2012.
Well...
No. 1: I’ll defend anyone’s right to be a Giants fan. Root for whatever team or teams you choose to root for.
No. 2: That doesn’t change my point, which is that Sandoval is a good hitter to have and the A’s should be so lucky to have a “best hitter” like him. For whatever reason, the fact remains that they don’t.
No. 3: I haven’t actually heard the Giants say that, but if they were to, say, sign Matt Holliday, I’d have to agree with them. And they can still do that if they choose.
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
Nico has not-so-secret love for the Halloween set.
The upside is we get to screw with him about it all the time.
Sock puppets have never been able to successfully attack castles. -NM
by Leopold Bloom on Dec 28, 2009 11:14 PM PST up reply actions
No. 1: It should never be okay to abandon one team and root for another simply because you don’t agree with your first team’s direction. If we were talking about the Detroit Lions in the midst of Matt Millen’s tenure, it’s understandable that you might have to give up on them, but the A’s were just in the ALCS 3 years ago. It would be pathetic to jump ship at this point.
No. 2: The A’s may be lucky to have a hitter as good as Sandoval, but when was the last time a team won the World Series when the team leader in HRs and RBI had 25 dingers and 90 RBI? Hasn’t happened this century.
No. 3 With just a quick google search, I found this comment from when DeRosa was signed:
“He’s a winning player,” Sabean said. “Any organization wants as many players like Mark on its ballclub, especially ours because we have a chance to turn the corner and get to the playoffs next year.”
Sounds like trying to contend to me.
I'm just as annoyed that Melhuse didn't swing
Or that Melhuse was even batting.
"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 3:12 PM PST up reply actions
Whoa, whoa, whoa... Everybody... Chill.
I know we’re all getting impatient with the never-ending years of rebuilding, but seriously, you have to accept that if you’re rooting for a small market team like the A’s. Billy Beane stretches a dollar WAY better than any GM in the majors. Just compare dollars and wins and find me a better GM. Good luck.
Other notes:
1. I’m sure The Duke would be open to come back. The A’s are the team he knows best. And we’re just warming up. I’ve heard that Milwaukee has interest, but I’d expect to see the A’s make a push. He’d be a great Ace to lead the squad of Duke, Anderson, Braden, Cahill and whoever takes the 5th spot. Outman? Solid rotation. Seriously.
2. I, too, hope we’re not trading Rajai. He went off last year with his first real shot at consistent playing time. If we do trade him, I’ll feel the same way I did when we lost Byrnes, or Scutaro, or maybe Swisher. Another promising player who I hated to see leave the building. I’m sure Billy will rape and pillage if he trades Davis.
3. Signing Coco Crisp brings in a veteran outfielder who can guide the youngsters through our rebuilding year. Best case scenario, he’ll be better surgically repaired and he’ll help us with baserunning (which we suck at). He gets on base, and he can run. That’s 1 thing Cust CAN do and one thing Cust CAN’T do. That’s why Coco was selected. Also, the Cubs need a CF and Billy just took the best one on the market. Maybe he’s working on a deal… He always is.
4. I’d expect to see Cust back with the A’s. As a DH only. Maybe, if we have at least three injured outfielders, or if the pitching matchup fits, Cust may get thrown into RF or something. I’ll just close my eyes if the ball goes his way.
5. Don’t hold your breath on Adrian Gonzalez. Billy’s not THAT good.
by A's Fan by Design on Dec 23, 2009 4:01 PM PST reply actions
The team was in the AL damn CS in 2006
I don’t think “never-ending years of rebuilding” is fair or accurate.
www.zekeishungry.com
yeah, people seem to have forgotten 2006 rather quickly, it seems
supporting at team isn’t just about cheering when they’re winning, I’d say.
By the sounds of things around here from time to time it’s like the A’s have literally not been in any conention since 1989
I suspect that you think tilting at windmills means something other than what it does.
I remember 2006...
I remember Marco (clap, clap) Scutaro (clap, clap).
I remember the Bradley-Swisher shake.
I remember the Big Hurt’s 2 HR in Game 1 of the ALDS, the first one against Johan effing Santana.
I remember Kotsay’s inside the park HR.
I do remember 2006.
And in some ways, I kind of ignore the statements that any given year is going to be a rebuilding year. I hope we will the whole damn thing every year. And come April, I always get excited about my young, energetic team and think “it could happen.” The thing is, some people complain that the rebuilding never stops because we don’t have a rotation of Cy Young winners and a lineup of All Stars. I was just trying to get their attention.
I’m so freakin’ stoked for 2011 I almost feel like bitching about 2010 is a waste. They need a year to get used to each other, and the second half of the season, barring any injuries, should get exciting. It’ll be too little too late, but it’ll be exciting. Like watching Rajai slice and dice the basepaths like the Iron Chef that he is. Haha…
by A's Fan by Design on Dec 24, 2009 1:15 AM PST up reply actions
yep
A’s should bring back Duke and trade for Gaudin. Bring back the halcyon days of 2007. Duke/Braden/Anderson/Gaudin/Gio looks like a mighty fine rotation to me.
Maybe Coco is just Rajai-insurance. I mean, if Rajai ends up crapping the bed at the beginning of the year, we’re going to be really glad that we brought in Coco. Hairston/Coco/Sweeney looks way better than Cunningham/Sweeney/Hairston if we have to sit Rajai down. It’s also better than putting Jack’s lead glove in the field; well, if we bring him back.
And yeah, bring Cust back. Fox is nice and all, but he ain’t Jack.
2007 was halcyon?
For Cust, sure, but for the whole team?
It's not the results, it's how you look going about those results -- Tim McCarver
by WaddellCanseco on Dec 23, 2009 7:14 PM PST up reply actions
Well, the first half was okay.
Up until that last week before the ASB…after that, it was painful.
Sock puppets have never been able to successfully attack castles. -NM
by Leopold Bloom on Dec 23, 2009 8:53 PM PST up reply actions
Well, if Crisp's arms fall off
We’ll be glad the A’s still have Rajai.
by OaklandSi on Dec 24, 2009 7:27 AM PST via mobile up reply actions
I love you man, but...
Chad Gaudin… please. I am down with the Duke returning, Cust would eb a great fit in the DH role as well know. But Gio, Mazzaro, Cahill, Outman in June… I’d take any of those 4 over Gaudin.
I Really don;t get it either........
Coco is not any better than what we saw from Davis the last half of last year, is coming off of surgery, we already have outfielders galore, need a 3rd baseman, could use a little power (ok more than a little)…. thank god the season doesn;t start tomorrow…… Beane better not be doen, better not trade the only bright light ’09 had (RD), and better allow for the much anticipated youngsters to get some PT if this is truly a rebuilding year and not just another Beane trading away our teams talent for junk
When its time to shoot, shoot... don't talk
by Charlie O the Mule on Dec 23, 2009 4:18 PM PST reply actions
This made my day!
Really hope they bring Cust back. Definitely need the power, not to mention a guy who actually stays healthy. As for Duke, eh, don’t care.
I really don't see the hysteria over this deal
We needed a short-term LF until Carter/Taylor are ready, and we got one that is totally mega awesome at one skill (fielding) and meh at another (hitting).
We are committed for only one year, with the flexibility for another.
In 2009 we are roughly paying him for one win (if they really are $4.5mil each).
So if you are having a panic attack over this deal, please untwist your knotted panties.
Kthanxbye.
Is this the real life-
Is this just fantasy-
Caught in a landslide-
No escape from reality-
by Daniel777 on Dec 23, 2009 4:47 PM PST reply actions 1 recs
The main reason I don't like the deal
is because I don’t really like Coco Crisp, rather irrationally because of all the hype he got as a Red Sock. If he’d never played in Boston, this’d be a resounding ‘eh’, to me. I don’t think it damages the team massively in a long term way, I just don’t want a player I don’t especially like to be playing for the A’s.
So it goes, huh.
I suspect that you think tilting at windmills means something other than what it does.
The problem here is you pay too much attention to the Red Sox.
I was blissfully unaware that Coco Crisp even played for Boston. I mean, I’m sure I had heard it before, and I kind of remembered it, but basically he was just some player out there. I don’t make it a habit of paying attention to the Boston roster. I recommend it.
There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, Than are dreamt of in your philosophy.
Agreed. Think of Coco as an Indian, or even a Cardinal. Then he becomes less
overhyped.
It's not the results, it's how you look going about those results -- Tim McCarver
by WaddellCanseco on Dec 23, 2009 9:44 PM PST up reply actions
I have never been a Coco Crisp fan,
because his name is more annoying than cute. Normally, I’d rather root for Quentin Crisp than Coco Crisp, but old drag queens die hard, and hell, I root for the laundry anyway.
"Sniff some krazy glue, and start a religion!"- The Reverend Billy Lard
by Gaijin_Suketto on Dec 24, 2009 12:36 AM PST up reply actions
Quentin Tarantino and
then Crispen Glover, who apparently has a part in Tim Burton’s new Alice in Wonderland movie. I’m imagining a coked-out Val Kilmer getting it on with Grace Slick.
Sock puppets have never been able to successfully attack castles. -NM
by Leopold Bloom on Dec 24, 2009 1:09 AM PST up reply actions
They could have paid the same amount to Jack Cust
and had a player who actually played one of the positions that the team needed to fill (DH) instead of a position it did NOT need to fill (CF).
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 can still do that.
It's not the results, it's how you look going about those results -- Tim McCarver
by WaddellCanseco on Dec 23, 2009 7:13 PM PST up reply actions
+100000000000
I am just waiting for Cust to sign somewhere else at this point. The question is where… I am thinking Royals or Rangers but that’s mostly just spaghetti on the wall
"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 23, 2009 7:19 PM PST up reply actions
Well the Rangers do have 4 OF, and Hamilton might be healthiest at DH.
Could be White Sox.
It's not the results, it's how you look going about those results -- Tim McCarver
by WaddellCanseco on Dec 23, 2009 9:45 PM PST up reply actions
NOOOOOOOO!
"Sniff some krazy glue, and start a religion!"- The Reverend Billy Lard
by Gaijin_Suketto on Dec 24, 2009 12:36 AM PST up reply actions
could be worse.
Sock puppets have never been able to successfully attack castles. -NM
by Leopold Bloom on Dec 24, 2009 1:09 AM PST up reply actions
Sacto OF/1B > Oakland OF/1B
MLB:
1B: Barton
LF: Crisp
CF: Rajai
RF: Sweeney
Bench: Hairston, Buck
Sacto:
1B: Chris Carter
LF: Cunningham
CF: Corey Brown
RF: Michael Taylor
Bench: Sean Doolittle, Matt Carson
More random thoughts...
Crisp: Meh. The more I think about it, and read about it, the more I’m… just ok with the deal. It doesn’t outrage me, nor does it inspire me. I’m still not sold on Davis’ recent surge as being real, but at this point I think I’d rather give him the shot…. and this comes from a person who has been very vocal in questioning the effectiveness of the rebuilding.
Cust: I wouldn’t mind seeing him back, but I suspect that the reason he was non-tendered was that Beane feels he isn’t worth as much to the team as his numbers might suggest.
Duke: Please, no. I’m sorry, but I do not think we will get much production out of him, regardless the financial cost. I’d wish him well, but I’d send him on his 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
Wow -- I am SO psyched at the thought of maybe keeping Duke
Then again, much of my Duke-love is irrational. But the guy is an actual ace (or at least #1-#2) when he’s healthy, is due for a healthy year (because I say so), is a true joy for a fan to watch and is a great pitcher for young SPs to watch and learn from.
Duuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuke!!!!!!!!!!!!
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 23, 2009 5:17 PM PST up reply actions 1 recs
Plus he's a super cool muchacho'
and I rock his personally signed game jersey!
Zeigler to Geren…."A-Rod? He’s my bitch." -alox
Nothing irrational
about liking a mans back door breaker Nico. Am I right guys…am I right?
"-i never said half the things i said." --Yogi Berra
At first I was excited to know Duke might be back
But I think the A’s might be better off with the draft sammich. I can’t decide.
www.zekeishungry.com
If he comes back, they're likely to get the draft pick next year too.
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 true, unless his back blows up in spring training
Which isn’t totally out of the realm of possibility or anything.
www.zekeishungry.com
You mean...
…there’s a chance that my Duke bobblehead will cease to be a booby prize? Well, then I’m all for it.
"With Chance on first, and Evers on third,
Great things from the Cubs will soon be heard."
I think a booby prize is clearly a prize in itself
"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 6:22 PM PST up reply actions
Innnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnge?????!!!!!
Your day breaks, your mind aches.
You find that all her words of kindness linger on
when she no longer needs you.
Yeah, in the same was as I say (above)
that I don’t really want to watch Crisp in an A’s jersey, I’d also quite like to see Duchscherer back in one. Hell, it’s going to be hard to watch the team, this year. We can all accept that. So maybe bring in a few sops to the fans?
I suspect that you think tilting at windmills means something other than what it does.
"I’m sure Billy will rape and pillage if he trades Davis."
Probably not the wisest analogy to use….
I really want Billy to bring Duke back on a one year deal built with incentives and perhaps a team option if he stays reasonably healthy and reaches certain goals. I’m also cool with bringing back Cust of only to DH.
Still want to see Beane spin another trade before this is all said and done. Okay, so here is my Christmas wish, if I could ask Billy for one Christmas present:
“To somehow wrestle Yunel Escobar away from the Atlanta Braves”. Cheers!
Zeigler to Geren…."A-Rod? He’s my bitch." -alox
Yeah, that analogy is really insensitive
towards the many people I’ve known who were pillaged.
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 speaking a bit of of turn here since I've never been raped (but pillaged, why it's a damn near weekly occurrence!)
But I have a couple friends who have been, and using the term in this way would never offend them.
Of course, they also know what a metaphor is and it’s rhetorical use and generally aren’t offended by such things. I guess others might not be so thick-skinned after such awful events happen to them.
www.zekeishungry.com
You didn't know Billy was a Viking?
Where have you been? (rolls eyes)
Is this the real life-
Is this just fantasy-
Caught in a landslide-
No escape from reality-
metaphorically speaking, of course.
My apologies. To the goats.
by A's Fan by Design on Dec 23, 2009 5:49 PM PST via mobile up reply actions
Not to mention the many goats that were not harmed during this film...
:)
Zeigler to Geren…."A-Rod? He’s my bitch." -alox
And the two that were -- I mean if you're gonna dress that way, c'mon.
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 may not be a whore..."
“…but you got a whore’s uniform on, that’s for sure.”
-Dave Chapelle
by A's Fan by Design on Dec 24, 2009 1:19 AM PST up reply actions
Outfield and Infield
Now that we have some good outfielders, why don’t we trade the bad ones for some good infielders. We have no need for Buck or Cunningham, and even Hairston for that matter. We could really use some solid infielders, especially SS and 3B. Or we should dip into the FA market. Juan Uribe would be a perfect fit. He plays 3B and SS sometimes. He is only 30. He is good and has a lot of potential. But, the best part is, he was paid only 1 Mil in SF last season, which means he can probably still come cheap. The A’s should offer him a multi-year contract worth 3-5 mil a year. He will only get better in the next few seasons and would be a huge upgrade at 3B.
Why would other teams want to give up their good infielders for bad outfielders?
www.zekeishungry.com
jedi mind tricks.
They call their best player "Kung Fu Panda" and they complain that people aren’t taking them or the game seriously enough? -Nick
I tried that once
First she laughed. Then she thought about it. Then she slapped me. Then she laughed again.
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."
Maybe the jedi mind trick worked and she just wasn't impressed with your light saber
www.zekeishungry.com
RAWR
where you been hiding, lady?
They call their best player "Kung Fu Panda" and they complain that people aren’t taking them or the game seriously enough? -Nick
Rawr!
Um, not hiding? I’ve piped in now and again, but I’m not knowledgeable enough about stats and trades to take part in most of the off-season threads. I’ve enjoyed reading them, though.
Wait. We have to be knowledgeable?
Yikes!
It's not the results, it's how you look going about those results -- Tim McCarver
by WaddellCanseco on Dec 23, 2009 6:33 PM PST up reply actions
Good to see you too!
Don’t be a stranger. I hope I get to be in more game threads next year.
It's not the results, it's how you look going about those results -- Tim McCarver
by WaddellCanseco on Dec 23, 2009 7:12 PM PST up reply actions
What's shaking Norm?
All four cheeks and a couple of chins.
It's not the results, it's how you look going about those results -- Tim McCarver
by WaddellCanseco on Dec 23, 2009 9:46 PM PST up reply actions
doesn't matter
post more. we need you and ZF and thresher and athletica to bring up the hawtness average on AN plz.
They call their best player "Kung Fu Panda" and they complain that people aren’t taking them or the game seriously enough? -Nick
I see your Schwartz is as big as mine.
Now let’s see how well you handle it…
"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 6:23 PM PST up reply actions
Just because I have a light penknife... HEH!!!
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 a Callaspo trade seems more plausible now than it did last week.
What would the Royals be looking for in such a trade?
I hear they've tried to acquire him in the past
It's not the results, it's how you look going about those results -- Tim McCarver
by WaddellCanseco on Dec 23, 2009 9:47 PM PST up reply actions
Good news about Cust and Duke as far as I'm concerned
I really hope that one or both of them are part of the 2010 season.
Yes, but I'd rather have had Beltre and Chapman.
(sigh)
It's not the results, it's how you look going about those results -- Tim McCarver
by WaddellCanseco on Dec 23, 2009 7:13 PM PST up reply actions
Duke leaning towards a NL team
According to a tweet posted by Ken Rosenthal.
by GreggC on Dec 23, 2009 7:46 PM PST via mobile reply actions
Based on everything Rosenthal says
I feel like his accuracy rate is around 3%. Am I nuts here? I swear I hear more “reports” from this guy that don’t come true than anybody.
www.zekeishungry.com
spending the budget
I’ve noticed that if the A’s have a budget of $70 million, they spend the $70 million, even if it means overpaying a bit for some FA’s. They don’t operate like the Marlins, Royals and Pirates often do (although the Marlins are awfully good at it). This tells me they will do something significant after next season when Chavez comes off the books and they have a better chance of winning.
Are you guys getting the commercials for New Pirate Radio there?
Sock puppets have never been able to successfully attack castles. -NM
no idea why so many have a boner for beltre
he is awful.
Awful would be a nice upgrade at 3B
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
awful at 3B brings to mind the infamous Jose Offerman
aka, Jose Awfulman who I believe played 3B at one time
"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 23, 2009 9:44 PM PST up reply actions
Because at the moment our 3B are Jake Fox and Aaron Miles
And Chavez and McPherson of course, but I’ve got them penciled in for DL.
It's not the results, it's how you look going about those results -- Tim McCarver
by WaddellCanseco on Dec 23, 2009 9:48 PM PST up reply actions
Where in the world is Adam Kennedy?
I don’t think I’ve seen one headline with his name on it. Is he a free agent? Are the A’s keeping him? Is he going to help the Royals win the World Series? He was a steal for what he gave us last year.
by A's Fan by Design on Dec 24, 2009 1:23 AM PST up reply actions
He's a stealth free agent.
It's not the results, it's how you look going about those results -- Tim McCarver
by WaddellCanseco on Dec 24, 2009 1:26 AM PST up reply actions
Nice comment
I don’t understand the boners either, but I wouldn’t say he is awful. Wonderfully mediocre maybe?
Having too many players available is a good thing
1. To protect against injury
2. To include in future off-season trades
3. To include in deadline trades if the team is not contending
Simply put, the A’s have been very unlucky with injuries the last two years. They have also been very unlucky with free agents and prospects not performing to expected levels. There is no way this can continue. If I said the A’s are the most unlucky team in baseball, there can hardly be an argument. BB is always trying something, and most of his attempts at immediate gratification have failed, again, because of bad luck.
This is the worst time of the year to be pessimistic about our future, and what our GM is trying to do. If we remain somewhat healthy, resign Duke, our young rotation makes advances, and Barton/Sweeney/Pennington make advances, the team has a chance at the playoffs. The Angels are much worse than last year, and even though the Mariners are improved on paper, they are really good at being terrible despite their talent.
by Thefirstletterofthealphabet on Dec 24, 2009 2:30 AM PST reply actions
Angels
I still don’t buy that the Angels will be “much worse” next season. Kendry Morales is a star in the making. Torii Hunter is Torii Hunter. Wood should get a full-time gig @ 3B. Aybar, Rivera, Napoli/Mathis, Abreu, and Kendrick are pretty solid. Adding Matsui to the offense should help. Santana, Weaver, Kaxmir and Saunders is a pretty damn good 1 thru 4. That team wins 90 games next year.
by Colorado Fan on Dec 24, 2009 7:56 AM PST up reply actions
I agree
I think Angels fans are getting used to their team outbidding everyone else and they’re getting dreams of being the Yankees West or something. Reality check: your team doesn’t have the money to sign Matsui, keep Darren Oliver, Chone Figgins, and offer Lackey a 5-year contract. That would be ridiculous. They still have a really good team.
alot of that relies on if Santana returns to his previous success.
He was pretty terrible last year coming off his injury.
"The A's get some action but they do not score..." -Glen Kuiper
"Anyone who calls themselves the Angels Angels should have to start over and ride the short bus." -timmeh from McCovey Chronicles
{except against the A's}
Grrrr…
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
it can be a bad thing if we lose Davis for a more expensive version of himself because we don’t have the roster room, and we delay the development of our young players to go from 70 to 71 wins next season.
Question for anyone
OK, we have now added Coco Crisp to the 40-man roster. I thought we were already at 40, after the Rule 5 Draft. This morning, the A’s 40-man shows 40 guys, including Coco.
Did we release someone to free up the 40th spot? I am confused and have not yet had any coffee. But it is snowing on Christmas Eve in Texas. Love it.
Kennedy is not on 40-man
Maybe that balances out Crisp?
I’m starting to wake up, sort of.
by redtopcowboy on Dec 24, 2009 6:44 AM PST up reply actions
Coco Crisp is a Raider fan.
He said so in an AP article. That’s enough for me!
DFA COCO NOW
They call their best player "Kung Fu Panda" and they complain that people aren’t taking them or the game seriously enough? -Nick
Cust?
I don’t mind getting him on the cheap…maybe the plan is to get as many base stealing threats in front of him, IF they can get on base and hope pitchers throw more fastballs than usual to Jack(?).
Gas to Chicago- $23.87 A's/White Sox Tix- $28 Watching the A's whipping the Sox in July 05'- Priceless
Except Cust may be the single worst hitter to steal for
The risk of being caught stealing balanced against the value of advancing from 1st to 2nd ahead of a walk, a K, or a HR? Hmm…
I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal
Ah Mychael Urban
Mychael Urban, Dec 23: “And don’t believe that J. Duchscherer is about to sign somewhere. He’s not.”
Dec 24: Duchscherer signs with A’s.
Another scoop by the best sports journalist on the web.
You misseth his point
He was saying the A’s would re-sign him, that Duke wasn’t actually going somewhere else. And he was 100% right.
I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal
Maybe we should be generous, give him the benefit of the doubt, and assume that’s what he meant, but that’s definitely not what he said.
It is what he said.
It’s abundantly clear in the context. In that very same Twitter message the previous sentence says that Cust is still talking to the A’s. The sentence that Duchscherer isn’t about to sign elsewhere follows in the same line of thought, ie, that Duchscherer is still talking to the A’s, too. If the sentences were spoken, that’s how you’d understand them, and the quick shorthand style of Twitter is somewhat like talking.
I think most people who read the original message complete and in context interpreted it like Nico and I did, and most people who read it as saying Duke would NOT sign with the A’s read just the Duchscherer sentence quoted in isolation in an article.
There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, Than are dreamt of in your philosophy.
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