Open Thread: Spring Training Game 31 - A's vs. Royals
by Nico on Mar 31, 2009 12:30 PM PDT
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PrintGenerally, it's wise not to read too much into a single Spring Training result but today is an exception. How Josh Outman fares today will likely determine whether the lefty sneaks into the rotation, lands in the bullpen, or is sent to AAA. This is because Outman's performance to date has been consistently inconsistent, just bad enough to put him 6th on the SP depth chart at the moment and just good enough to keep him in the overall conversation. Watch closely, as Outman gets the start against the Royals while Trevor Cahill and Andrew Bailey try to figure out what to root for.
The A's have won 2 in a row, following 10 losses in a row that followed 4 wins in a row. The Cactus League wraps up tomorrow; then the Bay Bridge Series and then Opening Day, suddenly just 6 days from now. It is looking more and more as if Chavez and Ellis will be in the Opening Day lineup while Devine and Duchscherer begin the year on the DL. As for Travis Buck, he just has too many body parts and too many vital organs for anyone to hazard a guess at this point.
Send happy thoughts Duchscherer's way, as he goes under the Yokum knife today. Let's hope Yokum and Outman are both on their game!
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Maybe we should put up a picture of Devine as well?
Since he’s going on the DL. I would think Casilla would get some shots at closing along with Ziggy, although the A’s said Springer would also be in the mix. Casilla has looked great this spring, but losing Devine is a blow—hopefully he can come back in a month.
Crosby out with a tight quad
"just a beating heart ... plasma that we'll put into our uniform." - Billy Beane
by athleticsBB4life on Mar 31, 2009 12:43 PM PDT reply actions
I hear his butt is impressive
It's not the results, it's how you look going about those results -- Tim McCarver
by WaddellCanseco on Mar 31, 2009 12:52 PM PDT up reply actions
Lineups
Kansas City
Maier, CF
Bloomquist, 2B
Gordon, 3B
Guillen, RF
Jacobs, DH
Butler, 1B
Buck, C
Gload, LF
Pena, T, SS
Oakland
Sweeney, R,
Cabrera, SS
Giambi, 1B
Holliday, LF
Garciaparra, 3B
Cust, RF
Suzuki, C
Buck, DH
Pennington, 2B
"just a beating heart ... plasma that we'll put into our uniform." - Billy Beane
by athleticsBB4life on Mar 31, 2009 12:45 PM PDT reply actions
you guys don't miss a beat around here...
it’s worst than my editor
SWEENEY, CF
"just a beating heart ... plasma that we'll put into our uniform." - Billy Beane
by athleticsBB4life on Mar 31, 2009 1:07 PM PDT up reply actions
worse
"I’m Joey Devine, I’m what Joba Chamberlain would be if he was good and nobody had ever heard of him."
touche
"just a beating heart ... plasma that we'll put into our uniform." - Billy Beane
by athleticsBB4life on Mar 31, 2009 1:11 PM PDT up reply actions
I only said something because I was assuming it was a habit from last season.
(2 Sweeneys)
The 2009 A's draft pick... getting higher every game.
News from Slusser...
Bobby Crosby was scratched from today’s lineup with tightness in his right quadriceps. He is considered day-to-day.
Ben Copeland doesn’t have the results of the MRI on his shoulder back yet but he said he is feeling much better. He’ll start the season on Oakland’s DL and then go to extended spring training when he’s able to play. The Rule-5 outfielder will head out on a rehab assignment after that, and the A’s can evaluate whether they’d like to keep him on the 25-man roster (unlikely at this point, but circumstamces could change) or run him through waivers. If no one else claims Copeland to keep him on their 25-man roster, he’d be offered back to the Giants for $25,000. It’s impossible to say if his whiplash-type injury incurred when he slammed into the wall earlier this month will have any sort of affect on the Giants’ thinking or not.
Ryan Sweeney is in the lineup but will play only a “partial game,” according to manager Bob Geren. Sweeney came out of Sunday’s game with tightness in his left quad.
"just a beating heart ... plasma that we'll put into our uniform." - Billy Beane
by athleticsBB4life on Mar 31, 2009 12:48 PM PDT reply actions
So Copeland needs a 40-man spot?
It's not the results, it's how you look going about those results -- Tim McCarver
by WaddellCanseco on Mar 31, 2009 12:50 PM PDT up reply actions
unless they put him on the 60 day...
unlikely, so that means the a’s will need to find at least one more spot to add Cahill and 2 if they add Bailey
"just a beating heart ... plasma that we'll put into our uniform." - Billy Beane
by athleticsBB4life on Mar 31, 2009 12:52 PM PDT up reply actions
And maybe another for Thigpen
It's not the results, it's how you look going about those results -- Tim McCarver
by WaddellCanseco on Mar 31, 2009 12:53 PM PDT up reply actions
petit, hannahan, webb, schroder as options to be DFA'd
"just a beating heart ... plasma that we'll put into our uniform." - Billy Beane
by athleticsBB4life on Mar 31, 2009 12:54 PM PDT up reply actions
I guess Duke & Devine could be candidates for the ...
60-day DL, which would open spots
"just a beating heart ... plasma that we'll put into our uniform." - Billy Beane
by athleticsBB4life on Mar 31, 2009 12:56 PM PDT up reply actions
Ah the bright side of losing your best starter and best reliever
It's not the results, it's how you look going about those results -- Tim McCarver
by WaddellCanseco on Mar 31, 2009 1:04 PM PDT up reply actions
Good to see Sweeney back
All kidding aside, I’m sorry Booby isn’t in the lineup today as it would have been good to get him more work at third or second.
Oh, you'll be stone cold in a second
"The glass is half full….and we are going to drown in it." - OptimistPrime
Slusser
Also said that Cahill already has a rotation spot and will start game 2 vs. the Angels.
Daily Herald link on Gaudin
It seems the Cubs would like to trade veteran Chad Gaudin, who has not had a good spring.
"just a beating heart ... plasma that we'll put into our uniform." - Billy Beane
by athleticsBB4life on Mar 31, 2009 12:53 PM PDT reply actions
There's a marmot on his face! Quick! Get it off!
The 2009 A's draft pick... getting higher every game.
You're anti-marmot?
It's not the results, it's how you look going about those results -- Tim McCarver
by WaddellCanseco on Mar 31, 2009 1:17 PM PDT up reply actions
A's never bring them back after they trade 'em...
Charlie Brown GO A'S WIN
by Charlie Brown on Mar 31, 2009 1:38 PM PDT up reply actions
Outman in Rotation?
Given the Cahill news (he’s pitching Game Two vs. Angels next week) and Anderson’s firm place as one of the 5, who could he replace but gallagher?? Any chance of that happening?
I think it is possible. Gallagher might end up like 2008 Buck.
It's not the results, it's how you look going about those results -- Tim McCarver
by WaddellCanseco on Mar 31, 2009 1:00 PM PDT up reply actions
I'm sad that Cust is batting six again
what have i got myself into this time... http://damiansthirtyyearchallenge.blogspot.com/
by alea iacta est on Mar 31, 2009 12:59 PM PDT reply actions
is this game on mlb tv again
"just a beating heart ... plasma that we'll put into our uniform." - Billy Beane
by athleticsBB4life on Mar 31, 2009 1:07 PM PDT reply actions
survives?
how bad was it?
The Not-So-Casual Fan
Are you watching?
It's not the results, it's how you look going about those results -- Tim McCarver
by WaddellCanseco on Mar 31, 2009 1:14 PM PDT up reply actions
I'm listening to the Royals guys
They’re mediocre.
It's not the results, it's how you look going about those results -- Tim McCarver
by WaddellCanseco on Mar 31, 2009 1:16 PM PDT up reply actions
After those Dodger asshats yesterday, mediocre sounds pretty good to me
"The glass is half full….and we are going to drown in it." - OptimistPrime
Ya they're not obnoxious so far
It's not the results, it's how you look going about those results -- Tim McCarver
by WaddellCanseco on Mar 31, 2009 1:19 PM PDT up reply actions
Checked on tv. No Royals game on. Shoot.
Charlie Brown GO A'S WIN
by Charlie Brown on Mar 31, 2009 1:40 PM PDT up reply actions
Ahhh, god bless Sidney Ponson.
"People ask me what I do in winter when there's no baseball. I'll tell you what I do. I stare out the window and wait for spring." ~Rogers Hornsby
by ZeroIndulgence on Mar 31, 2009 1:20 PM PDT up reply actions
Would we have preferred a K?
I say no.
It's not the results, it's how you look going about those results -- Tim McCarver
by WaddellCanseco on Mar 31, 2009 1:20 PM PDT up reply actions
Good thing Cust wasn't up then.
It's not the results, it's how you look going about those results -- Tim McCarver
by WaddellCanseco on Mar 31, 2009 1:22 PM PDT up reply actions
Outman's not wild. That's good.
It's not the results, it's how you look going about those results -- Tim McCarver
TWO SCORELESS INNINGS LET'S MAKING HIM THE ACE
now, if you’ll excuse me, I have some more overreacticting to do
what have i got myself into this time... http://damiansthirtyyearchallenge.blogspot.com/
by alea iacta est on Mar 31, 2009 1:27 PM PDT reply actions
No problem, you're send him down once he allows a run
It's not the results, it's how you look going about those results -- Tim McCarver
by WaddellCanseco on Mar 31, 2009 1:29 PM PDT up reply actions
We need a stock exchange for A's players
Sell Devine! Buy Outman! Sell Giambi! No, wait, he got a hit, hold those Giambi shares!
the inevitable result
No conservative institutional investor is willing to risk their money on sub-prime (read: injury-prone) members of the A’s. But then those greedy stat-heads figure out a way to take all the risk of Chavvy’s forearms, Duke and Devine’s right arms, Buck and Crosby’s everything, and through black-magic mathematics, make a product that earns a triple-A rating from Nico.
AN members start snatching up these CDOs (stands for Could-be-Dead Oaklanders) and Beane and Wolff make a fortune selling insurance against the risk of an injury. This creates a perverse incentive for them to bring in more injury prone players, so they trade away workhorses Cabrera and Eveland for Milton Bradley and Mark Prior.
Everyone is caught off-guard when the 2009 Oakland A’s implode, setting a Major League record by using the DL 500,000 times. Eyes turn to Bud Selig… only a bailout could possibly prevent contraction, but will it be spent returning the A’s to contention, or on golden parachutes for Wolff, Beane, and our very own Blez?
by colin on Mar 31, 2009 1:48 PM PDT up reply actions 4 recs
this amused me
what have i got myself into this time... http://damiansthirtyyearchallenge.blogspot.com/
by alea iacta est on Mar 31, 2009 1:52 PM PDT up reply actions
gawd, when spring training games are the highlight of my day, i think it means i need a job
or, conversely, the regular season to start
what have i got myself into this time... http://damiansthirtyyearchallenge.blogspot.com/
by alea iacta est on Mar 31, 2009 1:32 PM PDT up reply actions
They're the highlight of my day and I HAVE a job
Everything is sunshine when you are Ray Fosse, bitches.
hm, true enough...
i think i need a job where i can listen to baseball, then.
what have i got myself into this time... http://damiansthirtyyearchallenge.blogspot.com/
by alea iacta est on Mar 31, 2009 1:37 PM PDT up reply actions
It seems fairly likely that the long relief guy is going to get as many or more innings as the fifth starter...
and with our improved offense those innings might not be complete garbage time, so the question isn’t going to be so much who is better but who is more suited to coming in from the bullpen. I wouldn’t mess with the rookies by switching them to the pen so which of Gallagher, Outman, Eveland and Braden is the best fit for the long relief spot?
The A's are a little light on the HR this spring
26 so far
You have to include smiley faces - Poppy
;- ) :- ) :-O : -> : -] : -}
well, it's mostly Giambi and Holiday that haven't been hitting them
so I’m not massivelyl concerned about that – their power should pick up when this is for keeps
what have i got myself into this time... http://damiansthirtyyearchallenge.blogspot.com/
by alea iacta est on Mar 31, 2009 1:48 PM PDT up reply actions
At least ST
is almost over. Last day in Arizona is tomorrow! Will buck survive the plane trip to Oakland? Will Chavy?
"You may glory in a team triumphant, but you fall in love with a team in defeat."--The Boys of Summer
Interesting S.T....
Always hear no slots will be filled during s.t. due to performance, but this year looks like 3 pitchers will earn their wings out of spring training and make the big league roster— two starting pitchers and a reliever. Just how bad things were going for starters this year.
Charlie Brown GO A'S WIN
by Charlie Brown on Mar 31, 2009 1:59 PM PDT up reply actions
Nice going. Good reporting as well. Thanks.
Charlie Brown GO A'S WIN
by Charlie Brown on Mar 31, 2009 2:00 PM PDT up reply actions
Great deal. Like to see kids successful.
Charlie Brown GO A'S WIN
by Charlie Brown on Mar 31, 2009 2:01 PM PDT up reply actions
With Outman sliding up into Casilla's spot and Gio also in the bullpen
He is speculating; this doesn’t mean that Bailey has made it. He’s not on the 40-man roster right now.
Holliday walks, Nomar singles him to 3rd
Buan talking about how good Holliday is at going first to third.
Is Denorfia going to make the team out of spring trng?
Charlie Brown GO A'S WIN
What a delerious spring...
the A’s scoring runs? Who woulda thunk it?
"You may glory in a team triumphant, but you fall in love with a team in defeat."--The Boys of Summer
Effing Rajai....
if he isn’t going to contribute to the run fest, then he needs to be dfa’d. Course with the A’s, he could be drt.
"You may glory in a team triumphant, but you fall in love with a team in defeat."--The Boys of Summer
Rajai does the job most days...
Love that speed of his on the basepaths.
Charlie Brown GO A'S WIN
by Charlie Brown on Mar 31, 2009 2:20 PM PDT up reply actions
Sarcasm!
And enthusiasm for the season to start! Plus, I just wanted to reference D.R.T. (Means “Dead Right There”)
"You may glory in a team triumphant, but you fall in love with a team in defeat."--The Boys of Summer
Yep, it is getting to be that time of year.
Can not wait either. Love to play with stats and follow all the minor league clubsof the A’s.
Charlie Brown GO A'S WIN
by Charlie Brown on Mar 31, 2009 2:29 PM PDT up reply actions
Wow - Outman coming up big under pressure
4 IP, 0 BB, 0 ER is a good way to make the case.
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
Royals arent really that bad...
Good enough to pound Outman last time out.
Seriously though, half-way through ST they were the hottest hitting team I believe.
I miss Chad God
With Gio and Blevins still fighting for a spot
i.e., the 6th spot in that list could go to Blevins instead
Blevins has been horrible this spring though
Chicago. Where the Dead can Vote. Where the Voters of Tomorrow are found in the Obituaries of Today.
I can live with that bullpen
Not lockdown, not without high potential.
That is an A’s BULLPEN
I miss Chad God
If Devine comes back healthy he is a big boost
Also, if they move Duke into the pen we’ll have a really good bullpen. Which I think will depend on his health and the performance of the young pitchers. If they’re doing at all OK I think Duke goes straight to the pen.
im a pessimist...
i have a strange feeling that devine will be out until july
The Not-So-Casual Fan
DFA OUTMAN
what have i got myself into this time... http://damiansthirtyyearchallenge.blogspot.com/
by alea iacta est on Mar 31, 2009 2:28 PM PDT up reply actions
Still not too shabby for Outman
Charlie Brown GO A'S WIN
by Charlie Brown on Mar 31, 2009 2:41 PM PDT up reply actions
Especially if he's in the mix as a reliever
Good to know he can fill the long relief role when necessary.
It is going to be a very important role on this club with such a young
and inexperienced pitching staff.
Charlie Brown GO A'S WIN
by Charlie Brown on Mar 31, 2009 2:51 PM PDT up reply actions
Nice that Outman
came back after the 2 run inning with 2 quite outs in the next frame.
"I can't wait for tommorrow, cause I get so much cooler every day" - shirt worn by Swish
quick outs, that is
"I can't wait for tommorrow, cause I get so much cooler every day" - shirt worn by Swish
Looks like Outman is the OUT Man! Ok.. it was the best I could come up with at the time
"Whether you think you can, or you think you can't, either way, YOU'RE RIGHT !"
Rock you like a hurricane?
"No matter what I talk about, I always get back to baseball." - Connie Mack
nice
What you fail to understand in your joyless myopia is that baseball is the key to life-- the Rosetta Stone, if you will. If you just understood baseball better all your other questions your, your... the, uh... the aliens, the conspiracies they would all, in their way be answered by the baseball gods.
Hi theblackpearl!!!!!
"If I was any more warm and fuzzy I’d be lint." -grover
by baseballgirl on Mar 31, 2009 3:33 PM PDT up reply actions
great actor on growing pains
good show
by Asfan4ever723 on Mar 31, 2009 3:28 PM PDT up reply actions
I believe that was Kirk Cameron.
The Ultimate Opportunist
by Rated-R Superstar on Mar 31, 2009 3:29 PM PDT up reply actions
No, he said "great actor"
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
Oh, right. That’s my fault.
The Ultimate Opportunist
by Rated-R Superstar on Mar 31, 2009 3:32 PM PDT up reply actions
the greatness of fake jairo is back
probably the only guy after devine with closer type stuff…confidence and health are his biggest hurdles
lets hope his stuff lasts longer than 18inn like last yr
now lets play the DFA game
lots of choices
hannahan
baisley
patterson
petit
gray
schroder
copeland
time to spin the wheel!!
I would say two off top and one off bottom DFA...
Charlie Brown GO A'S WIN
by Charlie Brown on Mar 31, 2009 4:51 PM PDT up reply actions
GAME RECAP IS UP
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
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