A Few Observations of the Early Season
by Taj Adib on Apr 27, 2009 7:15 PM PDT
111 comments
1) I've been fairly mum on the possibility that Eric Chavez is truly, without-a-doubt, start-digging-the-grave "done" with being a productive player...well, I'm pretty close to making that concession after watching him play the past few weeks. I understand that Chavez indicated he would need a month or so to get his timing back to where he used to be at the plate, but I don't understand how he's supposed to get that timing back when he can't stay on the field for any lasting amount of time. His recent quip that he's "day to day, probably for the whole year" is classic Chavez...and I'm kind of annoyed by it now.
Nomar has been okay as a platoon partner for Chavez, but he's got his own issues and is clearly just a one-year stop-gap. I'd really like for the team to go out this coming off-season and get someone reliable to, at the very least, play 3rd against EVERY left-handed starter out there, since Chavez is completely useless against lefties at this point. Maybe Beane can swing a deal for Kevin Kouzmanoff (hacktastic/no patience, but good pop against lefties and decent fielder) or could convince Miguel Tejada to come back to be a utility infielder.
Long-term, I'm glad that Adrian Cardenas has gotten off to a fast start at Midland. By most accounts, he won't be a major league-caliber shortstop, but many scouts seem to think he could handle 3rd base defensively and while he likely won't be a really big-time slugger, he seems to hit a lot of doubles and hit for a high-average against both righties and lefties. I'd take someone like that at 3rd base any day of the week for the next few years, please...
2) I find it fascinating that Beane has assembled such a strikeout-averse starting rotation (top 4 starters are averaging 4.37 strikeouts per 9 innings) while at the same time he assembled such a high-strikeout bullpen group (top 6 relievers are averaging 9.17 strikeouts per 9 innings). There's no doubt that the starters as a whole are a lot more likely to pitch to contact as a matter of efficiency, but even so, that's a pretty big discrepency between the two groups. Does Beane look for completely different characteristics in relievers than he does in starters? Or is it just simply a matter of pitchers doing what's best for the situation: starters trying to last deep into games by forcing early contact and relievers just trying to blow everyone away while they have the chance?
3) I really hope that Beane finds a way to keep Jack Cust for the next couple of years (he's under team control, but arbitration eligible, through 2011). As we've seen the last few seasons, it takes a special type of hitter to not only produce in Oakland but to thrive there and those types of hitters don't exactly come along very often...but Jack Cust has shown that he's exactly that type of hitter, with or without "protection" from the rest of the lineup. He's always gonna strikeout a lot, but he's also pretty much a lock for 100 walks and 25 homers and an .800+ OPS. He also STAYS HEALTHY. I'm not sure I would commit to a multi-year deal with Jack, but I'd really like the team to go year-to-year with him and just pencil him in as the DH for the next 2+ years.
4) Speaking of possible long-term deals, I'm wondering if the team will start discussing such a deal with Kurt Suzuki over the course of the next calendar year. Along with Cust, Suzuki has pretty much fueled the A's offense early in this season. He's gotten better with the bat every year he's been a major leaguer and by all accounts has been a fine reciever, defender and guide for the pitching staff. He's also an Iron Man behind the plate. In my book, he's really the only "young" player really worth a long-term deal, but I'm curious what people think he's worth. He's eligible for arbitration after 2010 and then free agency after 2013. The team has the fragile Landon Powell backing-up Suzuki and a couple of intriguing, but hardly "can't miss", prospects in the pipeline such as Josh Donaldson, Anthony Recker, Petey Paramore and Joel Galarrage...so I'm wondering if the team would make a move to buy-out all of Suzuki's arbitration years sometime in the next year or two. Maybe something like a 3-year/$10 million extension to kick in after 2010? $1.5 million in 2011, $3.5 million in 2012 and $5 million in 2013?
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Dewayne Staats,
the PxP guy for the Rays, was effusive yesterday over Suzuki. He certainly felt that Suzuki was on the brink of becoming something very special. He really did go on and on about it for a few innings.
Having to regularly listen to Staats, I can tell you he’s not normally as complimentary, especially to the opposition.
I'm so sick of the Hannahan/A-Rod comparisons.--Rocktopus
by Leopold Bloom on Apr 27, 2009 7:38 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
I like Staats, but I prefer Observaation.
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 Apr 27, 2009 7:47 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I like anyone whose name starts with a six-letter palindrome!
"Go ahead and overachieve, you scrappy Brett-Favre-colored walk-takers." —Rev Halofan
by iglew on Apr 27, 2009 8:58 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
have you seen my play
Waiting for goddog?
It's never too soon to jump to conclusions
by alea iacta est on Apr 27, 2009 10:11 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Suzuki is a keeper for sure
did you see Geren’s comments that Nomar and Chavy were supposed to together sum up “one person”?….sad…
by OaklandSi on Apr 27, 2009 7:46 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
And a real overestimate!
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 Apr 27, 2009 7:47 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
+1
I would also like to lock up Zook for 3-5 years. I think he will be a stud for years to come.
"AN, Reducing Work Productivity since 2003", connie mack 11/06/08
by adragon on Apr 27, 2009 7:54 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
+1
He can hit, his nickname at Fullerton was “Clutch”, he’s good at calming (and catching the near wild pitches of) the ever younger pitching staff, and he can really rock a puka shell necklace. Take that, Phiten—you titanium snake oil salesmen!
by Technotofu on Apr 27, 2009 9:32 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Zooks
I hate, hate, HATE calling players by nicknames. It just seems too personal. I never refer to Miguel Tejada as “Miggy.” Never called Dennis Eckersley “The Eck.” I don’t call McGwire “Big Mac.” Dave Stewart is not “Stew.” Dave Henderson is not “Hendu” to me as much as he is to Steiny."
I feel like Hawk Harrelson writing that. Though I am sure he is a good dude, I don’t really appreciate his style. Feeling like him is just not so yummy.
But I did call Tim Hudson by his nickname, “Huddy,” much to my dismay. Tim Hudson had a real everyman/under dog appeal. I found it easy to root for him as a result. The 20 win season kind of helped a lot too.
And that is the sort of way I think about Suzuki. I crack up each time my daughter calls him Soo Soo Key. He is such a refreshing guy. A regular Joe who is a very easy guy to root for. And to slip up and call him his nickname. If he had a 850 OPS over the course of the season, I wouldn’t feel uneasy each time I called him “Zooks.”
by jeffro on Apr 27, 2009 10:50 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I don't call him Zooks
because I really hate the name for some reason.
by Nate on Apr 28, 2009 12:59 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I do
because, well, I’m lazy and its easier.
"If Bowden was a general contractor, he'd build houses with nine bedrooms, six garages, no bathrooms, and half a roof."
by DyeLongJustice on Apr 28, 2009 7:01 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I have a friend whose nickname (and email address) is "Zooks"
Nothing in her real name sounds remotely like “Zooks”. I don’t know how the nickname originated … it probably has one of those weird convoluted stories from some random childhood association.
Whenever I see “Zooks” I think of her, not Kurt Suzuki. And they look about as completely different as two people could be, too.
"Go ahead and overachieve, you scrappy Brett-Favre-colored walk-takers." —Rev Halofan
by iglew on Apr 28, 2009 1:55 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I feel uneasy using (or even hearing, really) the word "yummy".
I can’t even tell you how creepy it sounds to hear someone talking about feeling yummy (or not-so, as the case may be).
I switched Cabreras when your back was turned!
by Elvez on Apr 28, 2009 7:13 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I am light as a feather
I was saying, in my rambling manner, that Suzuki is one of the exceptions. He is one of the guys I call by his nickname. Much liek I used to call Tim Hudson by his nickname. I miss Tim Hudson.
by jeffro on Apr 28, 2009 8:43 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
wow you missed my joke in a major way.
Save Rajai Davis
by oakinboston on Apr 28, 2009 10:56 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Okay
If you ahve to explain it, it isn’t funny. Or I am dumb… or a combination of both… :)
by jeffro on Apr 28, 2009 12:19 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I gave you a nickname. fro.
and while Im ruining my un-funny joke while explaining it, let me encourage you to watch the movie “Stripes”.
Save Rajai Davis
by oakinboston on Apr 28, 2009 12:27 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
he could use a better nickname
Unfortunately there’s really just a dearth of good baseball nicknames. I was just telling someone the other day that every team needs a John Blutarski-type to dole out nicknames. “From now on, you’re gonna be known as Mothball.”
The Angels by far are the worst at nicknaming. They tend to sound more like terms of endearment than nicknames. Figgy, Ersty, Vladdy, Quinny, Escy, etc. New nicknames this year are Kendry Morales being called “K-Mo” and Joe Saunders going by “Saundo,” joining other witty handles like Nap, Weave, and Hatch. I’m going out on a limb and guessing the Angels are calling Brandon Wood “Woody” by the All-Star break.
"You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take.
-Wayne Gretzky"
-Michael Scott
by scatterbrian on Apr 28, 2009 11:58 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I would love to have Kurt locked up for years
if only so that my nine month old son knows who the guy is on his height poster when he’s four. Even if the jersey number is already wrong.
by LoneStranger on Apr 28, 2009 8:53 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
... in Jennifer's basement.
"Go ahead and overachieve, you scrappy Brett-Favre-colored walk-takers." —Rev Halofan
by iglew on Apr 28, 2009 1:58 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I think our low K SP's and high K RP's
is more chance than anything else. I’m sure that strikeout SP’s cost more than K RP’s simply because they pitch more innings, so that could be a factor as well. Also, there are a lot more strikeout RP’s available than there are striekout SP’s.
As far as Zook’s, he’s a keeper. He’s not gonna carry your offense by any means, but he is a solid solid solid role player, and at catcher, he is a gem. We’ve had a hard enough time filling 3b, I don’t want to start worrying about another position that’s even harder to fill on offense.
"If Bowden was a general contractor, he'd build houses with nine bedrooms, six garages, no bathrooms, and half a roof."
by DyeLongJustice on Apr 27, 2009 7:56 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
I suspect it's a command/youth thing
Cahill had good K #s in the minors but is throwing mostly sinkers, mostly for balls, right now. Eveland’s Ks will go up if he learns to locate, and Braden is missing bats well enough, and spotting pitches well enough, that I could see his K-rate rising a bit too. Plus Gio and Gallagher aren’t in the current rotation, and they’re probably the best K-starters in the mix.
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 Apr 27, 2009 8:08 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I think it's part of that
But like DyeLongJustice said, it’s also just kinda chance. Braden’s not a strikeout pitcher, never has been and never will be. Eveland could maybe strike out a few more if, like you said, he learned to locate, but I’m not holding my breath.
It’s guys like Anderson and Cahill whom I expect to have increasing K/9’s as the year goes on, along with a Gio or Gallagher if they get into the rotation (accompanied by their massive BB/9’s, of course).
RagingHarden: Yeah if you get 20 starts out of me I'll be shocked. Like, I'll wreck my drawers.
by walk off bunt on Apr 28, 2009 10:23 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I'd hold off on the long term deal for Kurt
Is there really that much upside with him? I’m cool on these lock-em up deals for anyone other than potential superstars. They make sense for a Markakis or Longoria, but not for your Bobby Crosbys.
Go Sharks!
by stormtown on Apr 27, 2009 8:23 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Though I love Suzuki . . .
. . . I wonder if he’s got the kind of body that can stand up to the pounding that comes with catching, especially since he seems like a real gamer, someone who hates to take even one day off. He’s not that big a guy, is he? Over time, I suspect that’s not only going to wear him down, but affect his hitting in the process.
"Life without geometry has no point"
by camperdog on Apr 27, 2009 9:05 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I wonder if he could eventually be turned into a 2B...
"I'm not going to buy my kids an encyclopedia. Let them walk to school like I did." -Yogi Berra
by brenarlo on Apr 27, 2009 9:15 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
The A's might do with Suzuki what they did with Zito:
Wear him down for 6 useful years and then let him decline for someone else.
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 Apr 27, 2009 9:29 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Works for me!
"I'm not going to buy my kids an encyclopedia. Let them walk to school like I did." -Yogi Berra
by brenarlo on Apr 27, 2009 9:43 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Maybe the Gients will give him 100+ mil
just saying
serious as a fart in a spacesuit - spectr17
by adragon on Apr 28, 2009 9:55 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
i think i've seen him hurt himself worse sliding home than protecting it
and i think he’ll beef up a little naturally. but he doesn’t need to become a molina to get better as a catcher. he’s agile back there getting to bad pitches, and running too. and does he take that many blows where his body would help him? i can’t name them, but i only remember 2 where he came up looking dosed and bulldozed, but even in those instances, it seemed like he just didn’t know hot to take the hit rather than underweighing it. he’ll learn, right foss? let’s keep him.
don't care if i ever get back.
by AV on Apr 27, 2009 9:39 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Trying to think of catchers who . . .
. . . were the agile types you mention, not the more common dray horses. Santiago and our dear, departed Kendall come to mind. And, yes, both of them had long, (mostly) productive careers. So, as you say, maybe it’s a matter of working on the fine points. That said, it seems that just the foul tips, the constant up-and-down, the backing up first base—just the everyday things without the big-blast collisions—will eventually take their toll.
"Life without geometry has no point"
by camperdog on Apr 27, 2009 10:29 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
but it seems those are the very things a lighter catcher can do more of.
though i guess you got me there because suzuki is listed heavier than either kendall or santiago. heck… i still say let’s keep him.
don't care if i ever get back.
by AV on Apr 27, 2009 10:54 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
See: Jason Kendall
Zeigler to Geren…."A-Rod? He’s my bitch." -alox
by mrod on Apr 27, 2009 11:59 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Where?
[looks right than looks left]
serious as a fart in a spacesuit - spectr17
by adragon on Apr 28, 2009 10:55 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
{ over here! }
Zeigler to Geren…."A-Rod? He’s my bitch." -alox
by mrod on Apr 28, 2009 4:08 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
If Suzuki is indeed a 120 OPS+ catcher with decent D at age 25
he is a potential superstar.Suzuki is a catcher who was an MLB average hitter at ages 23-24.
You need to keep in mind just how horrendously bad most catchers are at hitting. Suzuki doesn’t need to hit as well as Markakis, or Longoria to be worth a long term contract.
ZIPS: Milledge: 466 HR, 485 2B, 2282 hits, 278-379-524
by rfloh on Apr 29, 2009 10:30 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I dont think Beane prefers non-strickout pitchers
He just doesn’t have much of a choice. The 5 he has now are the only big-league ready/borderline MLB talented pitchers he has. I’m sure Beane would rather have Tim Lincecum over Dallas Braden (ok, who wouldn’t) but maybe a guy like Javier Vazquez.
Cahill and Anderson could become strickout pitchers eventually. Gio, Vin, and Gags are all K guys but they aren’t ready yet. A rotation of Anderson, Cahill, Gio, Vin and Gags would have the perfect balance of R/L, K/GB pitchers out there, as long as they stay healthy, effective, and out of the dog house.
You know things are bad when Bobby Crosby doesn't have the lowest batting average of any starter, yet he's hitting .138. Yes, you're 2009 Oakland Athletics.
by diehardoaklandfan22 on Apr 27, 2009 8:36 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Funny you mention Vasquez, because he's one guy
the A’s might have been able to nab on the cheap (seems like he was undersold) and might have filled that veteran upper-middle of the rotation spot the A’s lack. I wish the A’s could have gotten in on the “Vasquez for pennies on the dollar!” sweepstakes.
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 Apr 27, 2009 8:46 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I've always liked Vasquez
and got to watch him pitch in winter ball. Terrific arm.
But he might have been hard to sign. He has a situation where he wants to be on a team that is near as possible to his home and family in Puerto Rico. In Atlanta he’s only a 3 1/2 hour plane ride away. By contrast, the Bay Area is minimum two flights and nine hours away. He has stated publicly in the past that he didn’t want to pitch for a west coast team.
by OaklandSi on Apr 27, 2009 8:52 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yeah, I meant when he was traded this past off-season
I wish it had been the A’s acquiring him because he went pretty cheap, it seems, and he was the kind of pitcher the A’s currently need – a veteran #2-#3 starter.
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 Apr 27, 2009 9:02 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
oops you're right, he wasn't a free agent
but I agree with you — he is the kind of pitcher i was hoping the A’s could trade for during the off-season
by OaklandSi on Apr 27, 2009 9:04 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
He can be frustratingly so-so compared to his ability,
but the A’s so desperately need a veteran, #2-#3 level starter that I think Vasquez would be a real asset for this particular season.
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 Apr 27, 2009 9:30 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I agree
Just think what a Vasqeez/A. Pettitte/Kyle Lohse type would mean on this team. He would take some of the pressure off the kids and save some wear on the bullpen. We could still get Pedro but I think B.B. is committed to going with the baby brigade.
serious as a fart in a spacesuit - spectr17
by adragon on Apr 28, 2009 10:18 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
"It's like déjà vu all over again." -yogi berra
by Cheezombie on Apr 28, 2009 2:22 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
No, seriously:
Start getting Buck ready to play 3rd. Also: Chavez with horse-blinders on, an axe stuck in his calf and after being punched really hard in the stomach is a better defender and hitter than Jack Hanhanhanhan.
In other words: Chavez “day to day” is better than any immediate option we have – other than putting Buck through 3B boot camp – which would be so totally sweet.
by sleepingcobra on Apr 27, 2009 8:49 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
I so love the Buck-at-3B idea.
Not that I think it would actually work. I’m just in love with the fantasy of it.
"Go ahead and overachieve, you scrappy Brett-Favre-colored walk-takers." —Rev Halofan
by iglew on Apr 27, 2009 9:01 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
does big hair work at 3B?
the hot corner seems more … “preofessional” of a position, while OF seems like a good place for the freakshows since OFers are running all over the place and generally being more wild. just a personal perception thing…
by jlanning17 on Apr 28, 2009 7:38 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Coming from a bald dude
Big hair works anywhere, anytime.
by jeffro on Apr 28, 2009 8:47 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Ask this guy.
"Go ahead and overachieve, you scrappy Brett-Favre-colored walk-takers." —Rev Halofan
by iglew on Apr 28, 2009 2:13 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
DOES BIG HAIR WORK AT THIRD BASE?!
by sleepingcobra on Apr 28, 2009 5:59 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Too bad Oscar Gamble didn;t play 3B
I could prove God statistically. Take the human body alone - the chances that all the functions of an individual would just happen is a statistical monstrosity.
~George Gallup
by UncleLeo on Apr 28, 2009 6:44 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Cobra,
what is with you and all these “Chavez after being run over by a truck, and a spear in his back” analogies every post? Is it just the refusal to see that Chavez is finished, or some sort of hate for Hannahan?
How ‘bout this one? Eric Chavez — right now — is a really horrible hitter and he kills the A’s when he’s in the lineup? How bout this one? If the A’s continue to play Eric Chavez this year, he will hit less than .200 (easy) and will be lucky to finish with 5 home runs. How bout this one? Chavez will be lucky to have more than 10 hits this year against left-handed pitching.
Right now? I’d take Hannahan in the lineup over Chavez, no question about it. He might not field as well, but he’s the better hitter. That ain’t sayin’ much, but it’s true.
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.
by Vacafan on Apr 28, 2009 9:08 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
You're barking up the wrong tree.
I’m over here, in the pear tree. The pear tree where you’re basing Chavez’ entire performance for 2009 on his injuries and a bad (some might say typical) start.
Look: he’s a better defender than Hannahan even when he’s playing hurt. That we know.
And yes, he’s been declining at the plate. In a big way. In a fall-off-the-map way. In a “what was your name again?” way. But, see, that’s why I keep saying he’s better than Hannahan, even after he’s been sprayed with DDT, gets diarrhea from it, and then pushed into a river of molten lava.
THAT’S HOW FUCKING BAD JACK HANNAHAN IS, VACAFAN.
Deal with that.
by sleepingcobra on Apr 28, 2009 10:20 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Hannahan is actually quite good with the glove
"You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take.
-Wayne Gretzky"
-Michael Scott
by scatterbrian on Apr 28, 2009 12:12 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
by the way, I have the giants-dodgers game on the radio
Zito just gave up a HR in the seventh…but the interesting part is that Barry Bonds is doing analysis of Zito as well as various hitting situations…fascinating
by OaklandSi on Apr 27, 2009 8:59 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Did you see the pitch two pitches before - awesome!
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 Apr 27, 2009 9:03 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
he has some good insights as to hitting
he was a student of pitchers while playing, constantly going over videos of pitchers as well as having a great memory of which pitcher threw what kind of pitch to him in which situation. You’d expect someone who had played as long as him to have some good insights.
by OaklandSi on Apr 28, 2009 7:39 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
He certainly appeared
contrite during the TV segment. It seemed to me he was making overtures of peace with the Giants. Wonder if something is in the works?
"You may glory in a team triumphant, but you fall in love with a team in defeat."--The Boys of Summer
by alox on Apr 28, 2009 7:43 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
My problem with Number 2.
2) I find it fascinating that Beane has assembled such a strikeout-averse starting rotation (top 4 starters are averaging 4.37 strikeouts per 9 innings) while at the same time he assembled such a high-strikeout bullpen group (top 6 relievers are averaging 9.17 strikeouts per 9 innings).
Beane’s “assembled” the best team he could. There are a lot of strike out guys in the bullpen, but the starters’ and relievers’ strike out rates thus far have nothing to do with each other, beyond the fact that the starters as a group have performed shakily, and the relievers as a group have been nails.
There’s no doubt that the starters as a whole are a lot more likely to pitch to contact as a matter of efficiency, but even so, that’s a pretty big discrepency between the two groups.
How could they be “pitching to contact” if they’re lasting so few innings? That little piece of reality would suggest the complete opposite: that they’re pitching to strike people out, and missing the plate, a lot. Or, even worse, that they’re “pitching to contact,” but missing the plate and batters’ bats. I’m just trying to say that “efficiency,” if anything, has been the one part of the rotation’s performance that hasn’t been there.
Does Beane look for completely different characteristics in relievers than he does in starters? Or is it just simply a matter of pitchers doing what’s best for the situation: starters trying to last deep into games by forcing early contact and relievers just trying to blow everyone away while they have the chance?
No, no and, no. And no.
by sleepingcobra on Apr 27, 2009 10:05 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Ok then...
I'm never gonna do it without the fez on!
by Taj Adib on Apr 28, 2009 9:17 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
How could they be "pitching to contact" if they’re lasting so few innings?
The idea is the contact leads to groundouts and flyouts. Two or three pitch at-bats leading to outs are more efficient than four or five pitch strikeouts. Right now the A’s are allowing the lowest line drive rate in baseball, so it seems to be working.
As far as the split of SPs and RPs, relievers pitch with runners on base more often than starters, and strikeouts are choice with ROB.
"You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take.
-Wayne Gretzky"
-Michael Scott
by scatterbrian on Apr 28, 2009 12:32 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Hi.
The idea is […] Two or three pitch at-bats leading to outs are more efficient than four or five pitch strikeouts. Right now the A’s are allowing the lowest line drive rate in baseball, so it seems to be working.
Right now the A’s starters aren’t lasting past the 5th inning. The two sentences you wrote above are trying to tie into each other by leaving out that detail. Philosophically, I’m familiar with the idea of “pitching to contact.” There isn’t any evidence presented by Taj Adib about the underlying aims of the A’s rotation. It’s pure speculation. He framed Number 2 like a question. I was trying to provide an answer.
As far as the split of SPs and RPs, relievers pitch with runners on base more often than starters, and strikeouts are choice with ROB.
There’s no correlation between the context-neutral fact written above and Beane’s specific philosophy about running the A’s 2009 pitching staff.
by sleepingcobra on Apr 28, 2009 5:52 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Watching Eric Chavez play baseball these days is like rubbernecking an accident on the side of the road
You know you shouldn’t be looking because you’re bound to see something unpleasant but yet you just can’t help yourself.
Honestly, and I’m as big a fan as one will find when it comes to Chavvy, if he can’t stay healthy for a majority of this season, he really should negotiate an injury buyout with the A’s so they can move on with a player who doesn’t resemble The Bionic Man.
It’s not fair to the A’s and I’m sure this has to be eating away at Chavvy’s conscience day after day. Just makes me sad…
Zooks is a keeper….get that deal done now!
Cust has done nothing but perform since he’s been here so I believe he deserves a contract extension for another 2-3 years at least.
If the starting rotation ever starts to keep pace with the bullpen and the offense can score more than 3 runs on a regular basis the A’s are gonna have a lot of W’s. Good to see the boys put up back to back victories after that shellacking on Friday night.
Go A’s!
Zeigler to Geren…."A-Rod? He’s my bitch." -alox
by mrod on Apr 28, 2009 12:14 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Marvin Miller would be rolling in his grave to hear that...
…except that he’s not dead yet…
REVISED- The magical goblins that live in the Reverend Billy Lard's shower just told him that actually, Crosby's not gonna improve this year and he'll be released by June... Sorry, kids...
by Gaijin_Suketto on Apr 28, 2009 11:30 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
How can you tell?
I could prove God statistically. Take the human body alone - the chances that all the functions of an individual would just happen is a statistical monstrosity.
~George Gallup
by UncleLeo on Apr 28, 2009 6:45 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
You actually believe Chavez would negotiate a buyout? Get real.
Chavez would be all but giving away money by doing so. Doesn’t matter how good of a human being he is, that won’t happen.
Thinking otherwise is both oversimplifying the situation and deifying the media personality of Chavez IMO.
I miss Chad God
by ChadGod on Apr 28, 2009 11:45 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I'm not oversimplifying anything here, bucko...
And I’m not saying a buyout is immenent……..just considering the situation, I would not put it out of the realm of possibility. Believe me, I want Chavez to come back and play…..and do well.
And him being a good human being doesn’t have a damn thing to do with it.
Zeigler to Geren…."A-Rod? He’s my bitch." -alox
by mrod on Apr 28, 2009 4:08 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I don't like to write off players either but Chavez is done.
The A’s need real money to compete not just Magic Beane’s.
by Ran on Apr 28, 2009 12:18 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
I am worried about Chavez
but I won’t say he is done until he offically retires. I have to keep a little hope alive.
You have to include smiley faces - Poppy
;- ) :- ) :-O : -> : -] : -}
by micdog2001 on Apr 28, 2009 1:17 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
here's another interesting observation
There are only 2 AL teams who have not spent a day either tied for, or in the lead in their respective divisions so far.
One of them. of course, is your Oakland Athletics.
And the other has a pretty big payroll. And now trails the team with the other big payroll by 4 or 5 games in the loss column.
So could this possibly be a season in which neither the A’s or the Yankees spend one day in first place, or even for the wild card?? I suspect it has been a long time since that has been the case.
by jasonthea on Apr 28, 2009 8:13 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
In our division I think all four teams are going to keep trading the lead
at least until the all star break. Here is how I see the next couple of months for the AL west.
Sea. They are off to a hot start but it won’t last. Anytime you are counting on the combo of Washburn/Silva as your 3/4 guys you will lose and other than Aardsma there bullpen is horrible.
Tex. unless they magically find five Nolan Ryan’s for there rotation there SP will wilt with the Texas summer heat.
Ani. I can sum them up in one word…DL. Until I see Lackey/Santana come back and be effective I do not think they will be anything other than a .500 team, not to mention Vlad.
A’s, (The good guys) I think we will hover around the same .500 mark until we either get back/call up some effective SP. Is Duke the answer? I don’t know but I do know that if Cahill/Anderson don’t start showing that it was not all hype they should be sent to Sac. and a combo of Gio/Gags/Vin should be brought up to get there shot. Our offence will produce as long as we don’t face all lefties and our bullpen is the best part of our club.
serious as a fart in a spacesuit - spectr17
by adragon on Apr 28, 2009 10:51 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Washburn looked surprisingly not horrible
to start the season. I was actually starting to wonder if maybe he really did add a pitch (which would increase his repertoire to … two?). But then he got roughed up pretty bad this weekend, so now I’m thinking maybe not.
Oh, and speaking of horrible nicknames … “Gags”? Yecch.
"Go ahead and overachieve, you scrappy Brett-Favre-colored walk-takers." —Rev Halofan
by iglew on Apr 28, 2009 2:21 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
don't hold your breath
Sabathia is a slow starter and A-Rod has yet to play. And it’s still April.
by richwol1 on Apr 28, 2009 10:52 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
+1. The yanks are by no means out of it.
Just think of the impact ARod will have when he comes back…
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.
by winchester5 on Apr 28, 2009 1:00 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Chavez was toast
Before the season. The real problem here is Beane building the team assuming Eric would be a big part of it. As to giving Suzuki a 3 year contract. If they could get him that cheap it might be okay (3 years for $10M total). However I suspect that by the 3rd year Kurt will be useless. Kurt has started every game except for one (this past Saturday). The A’s seem to have a philosophy that the backup catcher should have his a** firmly stapled to the bench and never get into a game. They did this with Ramon Hernandez, Jason Kendall, and now Suzuki (heck going back even further Terry Steinbach got this treatment).
by skwid on Apr 28, 2009 8:13 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
I don't think Beane ever banked on Chavy being a "big part" of the team.
A regular contributor, yes, a big part, no. Since day one Chavy hasn’t been batting higher than 6th in the lineup. The whole point of bringing in Holliday and Giambi was to make them the “big pieces” and let the other players trickle down lower in the order and feel less pressure to produce.
by cityplANner on Apr 28, 2009 9:43 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
How else can you explain the complete and total lack of 3B prospects in the organization?
"I’m Joey Devine, I’m what Joba Chamberlain would be if he was good and nobody had ever heard of him."
by mikev on Apr 28, 2009 9:53 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
An oversight?
I did that with my laundry just last week. It happens.
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 Apr 28, 2009 10:31 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
You forgot to do it?
Fold it? Wear it?
I'm here to talk about the past.
by 67MARQUEZ on Apr 28, 2009 11:10 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
big part, regular contributor
Doesn’t really matter. Beane expected Eric to be an every day part of the team. So he was dropped from 3rd to 6th in the order. I think Beane was assuming a minimum of 120 games out of Chavez when it now looks like 70 will be stretching it (and I’d guess 40 might be high). My point still stands, Beane was insane for even thinking Chavez would be available and planning things such that Chavez would be available.
by skwid on Apr 28, 2009 2:03 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
No Barton mention?
Now the A’s have Adam Piatt II. Barton is looking more like a bust and needs a change of teams. With the Doolittle hitting at AAA Barton may be a good trade option around July. A Barton for Nick Johnson if the A’s are in it allstar break. Nick would give the A’s the right handed bat they need.
by Arcman on Apr 28, 2009 8:43 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
For the 10 games he's healthy.
Daric Barton is 22 years old and has a major league OPS+ of 99.
Really, 2 weeks of bad hitting in AAA is going to make you call him a bust?
Might as well cut Holliday, too.
"I’m Joey Devine, I’m what Joba Chamberlain would be if he was good and nobody had ever heard of him."
by mikev on Apr 28, 2009 8:52 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Nick Johnson is left handed.
Baseball isn't magic.
by rebus on Apr 28, 2009 8:53 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
He uses a right hander's bat.
"I’m Joey Devine, I’m what Joba Chamberlain would be if he was good and nobody had ever heard of him."
by mikev on Apr 28, 2009 9:02 AM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
Suzuki is a valuable asset
and I believe he would last a lot longer and be more productive at the plate if the A’s had not become enamored of the "iron man catcher’ model of Jason Kendall. If we have a serviceable back-up catcher, why not let him catch 30 or 40 games, instead of 10-20? Sure it’s great and admirable that Suzuki wants to be in there every day, but the manager has to manage occasionally and say no, you need to sit and heal.
"If you make up your mind not to be happy, there's no reason why you shouldn't have a fairly good time." -Edith Wharton (The Last Asset)
by Oakville Athletic on Apr 28, 2009 9:47 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Trying to keeep it short and simple
Love Kurt, would have no problem locking up a few of his FA years.
Chavvy’s done. Sad as it may be.
RagingHarden: Yeah if you get 20 starts out of me I'll be shocked. Like, I'll wreck my drawers.
by walk off bunt on Apr 28, 2009 10:24 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Yesterday...
I told my employer that I will be “day to day” for the remainder of the year. Today I am looking for a new job. Thanks for the inspiration Chavez.
by White Spikes Forever on Apr 28, 2009 11:08 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Is your contract guaranteed like Chavey's is?
by worldblee on Apr 28, 2009 11:30 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
More importantly, were you fired for injuries sustained at the workplace?
"There's never enough time to do all the nothing you want" -Bill Watterson
by nevermoor on Apr 28, 2009 11:31 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Ambulance chaser.
I thought you were retired, or was that DF? ;)
"You may glory in a team triumphant, but you fall in love with a team in defeat."--The Boys of Summer
by alox on Apr 28, 2009 11:42 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
As for Suzuki...
Not only is he a very capable hitter, and getting better every year, he’s also doing a great job with the pitching staff. Reminds me a lot of Hernandez.
by dashman33 on Apr 28, 2009 11:23 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Kurt is an excellent player who doesn't get a lot of attention
He’s an under the radar guy who gets the respect of his peers but not a lot of national attention. I hope we keep him around for a long time.
by worldblee on Apr 28, 2009 11:35 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I'd like to keep him around for a long time, but I'd also like to
reduce his workload.
by OldhamA on Apr 28, 2009 1:04 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Chavy is done...
but a done Chavy is better than a perfectly not done Hannahan.
I’m annoyed that he’s hurt all the time, especially with how much money he’s making, but when he can play, he’s the best 3B the A’s have. That doesn’t say much… but it’s true.
"I'm not going to buy my kids an encyclopedia. Let them walk to school like I did." -Yogi Berra
by brenarlo on Apr 28, 2009 12:10 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
I am glad someone more "reputable" besides me broached this subject
I have been contemplating posting something similar about my feelings on Chavez.
Look, I LOVE the guy! He is a classy guy, and in his prime, he was awesome. It is time to face the facts, however, and that is he is done. Finis. Cooked. Toast. He is older, his body is not miraculously going to revert back and be healthy. He will play in spurts like, oh, I don’t know…..Garciaparra? It’s time to close the book on Chavez and move forward. Please please please stop running him out there. It’s like Harden: we would all get excited every season….“What will he do now that he is healthy?”….and two games into the season he would be hurt. I honestly would rather watch the light-hitting Hanrahanahan on a daily basis than the platoon of GarciaChavez.
Eric, I love ya buddy, but time to fall on the sword…you are hurting the team.
Join PETPT....People for the Ethical Treatment of Paul Thomas
by OptimistPrime on Apr 28, 2009 1:57 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
"It's like déjà vu all over again." -yogi berra
by Cheezombie on Apr 28, 2009 2:36 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I used to Love chavvy but this has got to end. How can you pay 11mil to somone who doesnt play. Time to thank him for all his work and part ways.
by Jhusak75 on Apr 28, 2009 2:42 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
ohtobe21likehuston and vegAN ryAN
where are those 2, come eat your crow, I couldnt stop arguing with them how we needed to end the Chavez era, they kept saying “we pay him 10 million, so he plays”. And then ohtobe21likehuston had the brilliant idea of comparing Chavez to Derek Jeter, just brilliant
Clear its radiance shine...
by ATarHeel on Apr 28, 2009 2:42 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
We are stuck with Chavez through the 2010 season
Conveniently, however, the A’s hold a 2011 team option on his contract. Surely Beane exercises that….
Oh yeah, weren’t there articles earlier this year with quotes from Chavez saying how great he felt after his 8 offseason surgeries (“…the best I’ve felt in years!”)? Maybe my memory is wiped cleaned at the end of each season but haven’t we heard this before?
I thought Beane learned from the past couple years that it is foolish to place any hope in crafting a winning team based on best case scenarios involving injury-prone players. But then again, those are the parameters a small market team must work within. Or so they say.
I am Ray Fosse's infatuations with Clay Wood and high-definition television.
by franks a lot on Apr 28, 2009 3:25 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
He feels great
just he can’t throw or stay healthy.
by Arcman on Apr 28, 2009 4:10 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Give him a gold watch
I admire that Eric Chavez has never given up despite all his problems but it’s time for the A’s to move on. I know the A’s will have to eat a ton of money but maybe some sort of settlement can be worked out and Chavez can retire or move on to another club.
by sirbed on Apr 29, 2009 6:13 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
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