A's Finalize 25-man roster

That means Gallagher is going to the pen.

I hope I see Barton soon and much improved! :D

Cheers for the new season!

:D

Bobby Crosby's hamstring: "F*** You, Bobby!"

by LiZaRdReVoLuTiOn on Apr 4, 2009 4:50 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Sweet.

Im glad i dont have to see Hannahan in the lineup anymore. As far as Gallagher goes I think he prob should went to AAA to get streched out.

"Their Triple-A rotation, led by Trevor Cahill and Brett Anderson, could be better than some big-league rotations; Michael Ynoa is the best Latin American prospect of the decade; 2008 draftees Jemile Weeks and Rashun Dixon bring much-needed tools to an advanced group of hitters." - BaseballProspectus.com

by Syphon on Apr 4, 2009 4:50 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

If Devine was healthy, Gallagher probably would be in the Triple-A rotation.

The Ultimate Opportunist

by Rated-R Superstar on Apr 4, 2009 4:51 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Slusser: Devine is on the 60-day DL, and Duke and Copeland on the 15-day

Link

They still have to create one more spot by noon Sunday. I’m thinking there’s another roster move to be made — either a cut or a trade.

It's not the results, it's how you look going about those results -- Tim McCarver

by WaddellCanseco on Apr 4, 2009 4:57 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

they cut baisley

"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 5, 2009 4:58 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Ya I'm not sure how Copeland's better than him

It's not the results, it's how you look going about those results -- Tim McCarver

by WaddellCanseco on Apr 5, 2009 9:00 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Copeland is an excellent defender, Baisley is a subpar defensive third baseman

Batting 4th for the 2014 San Jose A's: 26-year-old RF Justin Upton, in the 1st season of a nine year, $250M deal.

by notsellingjeans on Apr 6, 2009 11:49 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Hmmm......that's true.

It's not the results, it's how you look going about those results -- Tim McCarver

by WaddellCanseco on Apr 6, 2009 10:10 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

wtf, how is ben copeland still around...

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 Apr 4, 2009 5:01 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

They apparently want to see more of him before making a decision. So it's AAA rehab for Ben.

It's not the results, it's how you look going about those results -- Tim McCarver

by WaddellCanseco on Apr 4, 2009 5:04 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I don't know if I approve of the Gallagher decision

Although I wouldn’t be surprised if Outman and Gallagher switch places sometime in the season should Josh struggle. Last year I thought Cahill, Anderson, Gallagher, Gio, and the best of the rest was our future rotation. I’m not sure I am ready to move on from that yet.

"Loyal? I'm the most loyal player money can buy." - Don Sutton

by vignette17 on Apr 4, 2009 5:05 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Agreed.

"Their Triple-A rotation, led by Trevor Cahill and Brett Anderson, could be better than some big-league rotations; Michael Ynoa is the best Latin American prospect of the decade; 2008 draftees Jemile Weeks and Rashun Dixon bring much-needed tools to an advanced group of hitters." - BaseballProspectus.com

by Syphon on Apr 4, 2009 5:07 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Gallagher sure did blow it this Spring.

He didn’t have to be wonderful to make the starting lineup or anything.

by IM4Oakgal on Apr 4, 2009 5:10 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Him being sick for a week and half didnt help.

"Their Triple-A rotation, led by Trevor Cahill and Brett Anderson, could be better than some big-league rotations; Michael Ynoa is the best Latin American prospect of the decade; 2008 draftees Jemile Weeks and Rashun Dixon bring much-needed tools to an advanced group of hitters." - BaseballProspectus.com

by Syphon on Apr 4, 2009 5:13 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yes he limboed under a very low bar

It's not the results, it's how you look going about those results -- Tim McCarver

by WaddellCanseco on Apr 4, 2009 5:14 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Shouldn't that be..

He failed to limbo under a very high bar? :)

by Danny on Apr 4, 2009 5:41 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Another failed limbo metaphor

When will it end???

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 4, 2009 5:44 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

We'll warm his heart with a fiery island song.

"If I told you once, I told you a thousand times: get yourself a hacksaw and a roll of duck tape, and attach your ankle-bracelet monitor to the leg of a gator." -lemurspoker

by Leopold Bloom on Apr 4, 2009 10:21 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Wait wait wait.

I thought we were gonna cool his hot heart with a cool island song!

"Go ahead and overachieve, you scrappy Brett-Favre-colored walk-takers."

by iglew on Apr 5, 2009 1:41 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

So you would have sent Gallagher to AAA as a starter, and maybe had Edgar or someone as

long man? I’d just as soon Gallagher learn to throw strikes in relief and then replace Outman or someone in the rotation when he’s earned it. I’m not sure he has anything more to learn at AAA.

It's not the results, it's how you look going about those results -- Tim McCarver

by WaddellCanseco on Apr 4, 2009 5:13 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Not that this is the point of these moves...

…but the Rivercats could dominate the PCL.

Gio and Mazzaro in the rotation. Lansford in the bullpen. Pettit and Pennington up the middle, Barton at 1B, Hannahan at 3B and Cunningham in the OF.

"And Julio Franco is batting right-handed!" -- Wayne Hagin, A's radio play-by-play, mid-80s

by Nick on Apr 4, 2009 5:15 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

and chris denorfia!

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 Apr 4, 2009 5:18 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Oh yeah! Andiamo, Gatti del Fiume!

"And Julio Franco is batting right-handed!" -- Wayne Hagin, A's radio play-by-play, mid-80s

by Nick on Apr 4, 2009 5:25 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

On 2nd thought, I think that should be "Avanti!" not "Andiamo!" My Italian isn't all that good (but probably better than Denorfia's)

"And Julio Franco is batting right-handed!" -- Wayne Hagin, A's radio play-by-play, mid-80s

by Nick on Apr 4, 2009 5:47 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

“Andiamo” isn’t inaccurate, but “Avanti” is definitely more idiomatic.

I’m more concerned about the preposition. I’m pretty sure they would not use the article there, in which case it should be “Avanti, Gatti di Fiume”. That sounds better to my ear, but I’ll defer to anyone who is actually fluent.

"Go ahead and overachieve, you scrappy Brett-Favre-colored walk-takers."

by iglew on Apr 4, 2009 6:57 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Good point

I think del makes it too specific to a particular river. Although, since the whole concept of a “rivercat” is pretty meaningless, it’s hard to tell which would be a better translation.

"And Julio Franco is batting right-handed!" -- Wayne Hagin, A's radio play-by-play, mid-80s

by Nick on Apr 4, 2009 7:45 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

These things are highly idiomatic, so

you can’t overanalyze them. Certainly Italians use articles in plenty of places we don’t (eg, with possessives).

I’m going by analogy to “pesce di fiume” which is a relatively common phrase. (Here, for instance.)

"Go ahead and overachieve, you scrappy Brett-Favre-colored walk-takers."

by iglew on Apr 4, 2009 10:09 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

My friends parents had Avantis growing up.

"If I told you once, I told you a thousand times: get yourself a hacksaw and a roll of duck tape, and attach your ankle-bracelet monitor to the leg of a gator." -lemurspoker

by Leopold Bloom on Apr 4, 2009 10:23 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

So Baisley may be out of luck.

It's not the results, it's how you look going about those results -- Tim McCarver

by WaddellCanseco on Apr 4, 2009 5:20 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

AAA roster crunch

also..

baisley
everidge
doolittle
thigpen
recker
putnam
denorfia
hererra
patterson
wimberly

by Asfan4ever723 on Apr 4, 2009 5:26 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

i feel a trade wind blowing this way soon

Bad spellers of the world untie.

by A'sfaninNC on Apr 6, 2009 9:27 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

That bullpen, by virtue of the Gallagher and Bailey additions,

is still excellent, in my opinion. Despite the loss of Devine.

Batting 4th for the 2014 San Jose A's: 26-year-old RF Justin Upton, in the 1st season of a nine year, $250M deal.

by notsellingjeans on Apr 4, 2009 5:28 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Billy knew what he was doing getting Springer and Wuertz

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 4, 2009 5:39 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

i also think andrew brown's injury

had an influence too

though i could easilty see springer/wuertz struggle some…the resurgence of casilla is a big factor in this bullpen too since he might have the best closer type stuff.

i think carignan and hrod (if he ever gets his issues fixed) both are possible midseason callups

by Asfan4ever723 on Apr 4, 2009 5:54 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Hannahan

I don’t EVER want to see Jack Hannahan in Green and Gold again. Ever. Ever. Ever.

by kitoko on Apr 4, 2009 5:45 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

on the flipside...

pennington had a pretty good spring training, showed more control and range in his defensive play and is likely their 1st callup if an infielder is needed

by Asfan4ever723 on Apr 4, 2009 5:56 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I second that

He is not and never was a ML player. Just a fill in.

by Trainman on Apr 4, 2009 6:37 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Hannahan that is

I like the roster BTW

by Trainman on Apr 4, 2009 6:38 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I like Jack.

"If I told you once, I told you a thousand times: get yourself a hacksaw and a roll of duck tape, and attach your ankle-bracelet monitor to the leg of a gator." -lemurspoker

by Leopold Bloom on Apr 4, 2009 10:25 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Jack Hannahan

I agree, he don’t hit much and we have (and should have) better options than Jack Hannahan. I will always have a soft spot for JH though, because of that should-have-been-game-winning-bomb in Japan last year on the first game of the season. I got up at 5am Pst to catch the last part of the game, and said to my son Jack(who was conviently awake), “look Jack’s up” then hannahan hit a bomb to go ahead. It was my son’s one-month bday and the first real game we watched together.

Hawbe bem bimmin'?

by Real5 on Apr 4, 2009 5:57 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

i too have a soft spot for him

if only because that’s what sort of ballplayer I figure I would be, if you inflated my talent to a level capable of playing in the big leagues.

plus, i kinda find it hard to hate a player who is being asked to do something that he’s not quite good enough to see through. I mean, I’m sure he’d like to get more hits.

but, yknow. all the best to him!

what have i got myself into this time... http://damiansthirtyyearchallenge.blogspot.com/

by alea iacta est on Apr 4, 2009 7:18 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'd be a lot like Hannahan too,

only with less power and more drinking.

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 4, 2009 7:19 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

well, quite

if you read between the lines, that’s what i’m saying

what have i got myself into this time... http://damiansthirtyyearchallenge.blogspot.com/

by alea iacta est on Apr 4, 2009 7:21 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

thanks for sharing!

That was a g-damn beautiful story.

by BlueMoon on Apr 4, 2009 6:06 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

i mean rosters are exciting, and im sure nsj appreciates your appreciation

but I dont think I would go quite that far…

Save Rajai Davis

by oakinboston on Apr 4, 2009 8:07 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

wow, i should really construct sentences more carefully post scotch

Save Rajai Davis

by oakinboston on Apr 4, 2009 8:11 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Pasquerelli and Simmons-- no love for Oakland

Whatever Baseball Prospectus might generate in terms of projections, it’s nice to know that we are being undersold in some favorite quarters.

On ESPN podcasts, first Peter Pasquerelli rates the A’s 13th in the AL— leading only Seattle— calls the rotation part of “the Witness Protection Act” and says that the rotation is too dependent on breakthrough years— “it’s one thing to count on one guy to emerge— they’re counting on three or four”

Bill Simmons— he of the new-found arrogance after 85 years of misery— and some snarky Hollywood type— mocked the A’s upside and down. Made fun of Duchscherer’s name (“do they call him Duchshie?” pronounced Duck), disparaged the rotation, said only Holliday scared him in the lineup, mocked Chavez’ comeback, and said Beane’s supposed Moneyballish turn to defense was put to lie by bringing Giambi back.

The fact is there’s a little truth in everything these guys say, but a) they either fail to recognize just how far the Angels have fallen or b) they fail to recognize that eventually young talent— if it’s real— does perform.

But that’s OK— it’ll make the real performance of this team all the sweeter when these experts (like Seth Davis who has missed almost everything in the NCAA tourney so far) have to eat their words.

by jasonthea on Apr 4, 2009 6:44 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

at least he trashed the Slegna too

but the fact that he likes Seattle and Texas as possible sleepers negates all his credibility.

by diehardoaklandfan22 on Apr 4, 2009 7:02 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I thought simmons' take was pretty reasonable

His two key points were that giambi is no kind of upgrade – salb, may his memory be a blessing, laid that out here last fall – and that everyone acknowledged that the rookie starters are not ready. The idea that in a division where no one stands out and 84 games might be a winner your best betting opportunity might be the team with the best bats and the longest price – well, that seems pretty reasonable, too.

"...in baseball you wear a cap." -- george carlin

by Hot Cup Joe on Apr 5, 2009 6:54 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

as much as this sort of thing annoys me

and god knows, it does, I’m ok with the A’s being underrated. If they can sneak up on a few teams this year, they might be able to get away with a few wins, early on.

Here’s hoping, anyway.

what have i got myself into this time... http://damiansthirtyyearchallenge.blogspot.com/

by alea iacta est on Apr 4, 2009 7:20 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs

Simmons has always been a tosser.

by OldhamA on Apr 4, 2009 7:43 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs

He's got no love for the A's, either.

He’s a wanker.

"If I told you once, I told you a thousand times: get yourself a hacksaw and a roll of duck tape, and attach your ankle-bracelet monitor to the leg of a gator." -lemurspoker

by Leopold Bloom on Apr 4, 2009 10:27 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

surely you mean tosser of the salad

by mr. pickles on Apr 5, 2009 12:52 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Harden Trade

Was a failure

by Ran on Apr 4, 2009 7:21 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

bit early to say that, i'd say

especially with his fast ball barely touching 90 this spring – if he were on the A’s, you know there’d be speculation here of when he was going to go on the DL.

plus, Gaudins not exactly pulling up trees, either.

what have i got myself into this time... http://damiansthirtyyearchallenge.blogspot.com/

by alea iacta est on Apr 4, 2009 7:24 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Ran means it was a failure for both teams

It's not the results, it's how you look going about those results -- Tim McCarver

by WaddellCanseco on Apr 4, 2009 7:27 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

still not sure it isn't too early to say this

i mean, if Harden is nearly injured, and Gaudin isn’t that good, and the A’s have got a passable reliever and a route to Wimberly (they got Murton in that trade, right? if I’m wrong, well, I’m wrong – have to get to dinner, no time to look up), then I don’t see how it could be considered a failure for the A’s just yet.

I mean, not exactly something to roll out the carpet and order the cigars, but something, at least.

maybe I just have lower expectations..

what have i got myself into this time... http://damiansthirtyyearchallenge.blogspot.com/

by alea iacta est on Apr 4, 2009 7:40 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

have you seen Wimberlys socks...

Those alone make the Harden trade a success

Bad spellers of the world untie.

by A'sfaninNC on Apr 6, 2009 9:31 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Gaudin just got released

maybe we should sign him to sure up our SP depth?

by Pino on Apr 5, 2009 11:12 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Josh Donaldson would disagree with you

Chicago. Where the Dead can Vote. Where the Voters of Tomorrow are found in the Obituaries of Today.

by Zonis on Apr 4, 2009 7:47 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

+1

"Their Triple-A rotation, led by Trevor Cahill and Brett Anderson, could be better than some big-league rotations; Michael Ynoa is the best Latin American prospect of the decade; 2008 draftees Jemile Weeks and Rashun Dixon bring much-needed tools to an advanced group of hitters." - BaseballProspectus.com

by Syphon on Apr 4, 2009 10:34 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Just because Donaldson could be an excellent player doesn't mean the trade was a success.

Beane could have gotten more for Harden than he did.

Some of the most violent things I’ve ever seen were at Raiders games. And I’ve been to jail. - leopold bloom

by designatedforassignment on Apr 5, 2009 1:09 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Hypothetically, yes

but were there any better deals on the table that Beane turned down in favor of the package he got from the Cubs?

"And Julio Franco is batting right-handed!" -- Wayne Hagin, A's radio play-by-play, mid-80s

by Nick on Apr 5, 2009 1:11 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

No, there weren't

Harden’s health was much more of a factor in trade talks than his ability was.

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 5, 2009 1:15 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

How do you know that?

I mean how can you seriously say that you know that Beane didn’t get a better offer? Were you in the room?

Some of the most violent things I’ve ever seen were at Raiders games. And I’ve been to jail. - leopold bloom

by designatedforassignment on Apr 6, 2009 9:20 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Read between the lines, because the lines aren't forthcoming

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 6, 2009 9:57 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Well maybe Beane should have waited till the deadline to trade him, no one forced his hand

or at least the All Star Break. Blanton provided a completely different kind of upgrade to the Phillies (innings eater for a rotation that had a top but no bottom) but I really don’t believe that Harden and Guadin (for a team that had a bunch of innings eaters but needed a guy who could flash brilliance) couldn’t have gotten a similar or better deal than Blanton. Even though you like Donaldson, you have to remember that at the time of the trade there were not only the still present questions about whether he could catch there were also serious questions with his bat considering he was hitting like .180. So you have at the time of the trade catching prospect that cant hit or field, a AAAA second baseman who cant field, a flopped OF prospect that was buried in the A’s depth chart, and a good pitching prospect with command issues and a #2 ceiling, for a mercurial ace and a strong bullpen guy/starter insurance. Now I think you certainly have to give Beane credit for getting Donaldson’s season right (so far) by calling it a fluke, but I still think that with that return you have to keep your 5 seasons of Harden and Gaudin rather than betting that youre going to want the pitching prospect for 6 or that Donaldson is going to turn out. If thats the best offer you have to go with a nontrade or wait three frickin weeks till the deadline to see if anyone gets desperate.

Some of the most violent things I’ve ever seen were at Raiders games. And I’ve been to jail. - leopold bloom

by designatedforassignment on Apr 6, 2009 11:44 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yes, except...

… history had shown Billy that each passing day exponentially increased the odds that Harden’s right arm would disintegrate and his ribcage would collapse.

A lot of us are sitting back now, after he played a good chunk of last season, and saying that the trade was a mistake. If Billy had waited and Harden went down with an injury before the All-Star Break, that really would have cemented his status as untradeable. And I’d be extremely pissed that we’d be getting more of the same, and absolutely nothing in return.

I just remembered I love Eric Chavez.

by Joey C. on Apr 6, 2009 12:32 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Perhaps Billy wasn't looking for "the best deal"

so much as “any deal” – for his ticking time bomb, and in that context holding out for Gallagher and getting his wish was a minor coup.

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 6, 2009 12:52 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

There are times...

….when addition by subtraction is just subtraction.

The jury is still out on this.

by richwol1 on Apr 6, 2009 2:34 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

all I'm seeing is blank white space

This reminds me of college English classes. Man, I feel like an idiot.

Batting 4th for the 2014 San Jose A's: 26-year-old RF Justin Upton, in the 1st season of a nine year, $250M deal.

by notsellingjeans on Apr 6, 2009 11:45 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Hahaha

I had a English teacher in highschool who was frickin nuts (she once said that you couldn’t say “fired a warning shot across the bow” unless there was an actual ship involved and if we were going to start making up ships we might as well put aliens in our essay) who kept yelling at my class to read between the lines. The funny thing was none of us could come up with bullshit crazy enough to mirror what she thought was there.

Some of the most violent things I’ve ever seen were at Raiders games. And I’ve been to jail. - leopold bloom

by designatedforassignment on Apr 6, 2009 12:04 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Just stop.

Beane didnt take a lesser deal… thats just moronic.

"Their Triple-A rotation, led by Trevor Cahill and Brett Anderson, could be better than some big-league rotations; Michael Ynoa is the best Latin American prospect of the decade; 2008 draftees Jemile Weeks and Rashun Dixon bring much-needed tools to an advanced group of hitters." - BaseballProspectus.com

by Syphon on Apr 6, 2009 11:50 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Im saying that if this was the best deal...

Beane should have kept Harden. Also Im suggesting that trading Harden right after a dip in velocity was probably not good for the returns and that waiting till the deadline would have been advisable in order to get a greater return.

Some of the most violent things I’ve ever seen were at Raiders games. And I’ve been to jail. - leopold bloom

by designatedforassignment on Apr 6, 2009 12:06 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

i think

that in hindsight, beane could/should have waited (we know that harden stayed healthy). but at the time, i think that beane was absolutely right in getting rid of harden. harden is a time bomb. waiting any longer could have netted the a’s nothing in return.

"True fact: In a global thermonuclear war, the only human who would survive would be David Eckstein" -PT

by travdog6 on Apr 7, 2009 1:32 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Other offers

I assume Beane is smart enough to take whatever the best offer available happened to be. So I do believe that the Cubs offer is probably the best he got.

My problem with the trade is that he accepted it. My reaction was essentially, “if that’s all Harden is worth, we’re better off keeping him.”

While having his last season wouldn’t have made a difference, it very well could be a difference maker in 2009. As it stands, the A’s will get very little, if any, production from any of those 4 players this season — heck, the “best” player in the deal is now the last guy in a 12-man bullpen. The upgrade between Harden and (let’s say) Outman over the 20 starts Harden could reasonably be expected to make could mean a couple wins in a tight division.

by rageon on Apr 6, 2009 9:39 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'd still take the next several years of Gallagher over the next year of Harden

It's not the results, it's how you look going about those results -- Tim McCarver

by WaddellCanseco on Apr 6, 2009 11:04 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

yep

Batting 4th for the 2014 San Jose A's: 26-year-old RF Justin Upton, in the 1st season of a nine year, $250M deal.

by notsellingjeans on Apr 6, 2009 11:46 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

He still would have had the option of trading him this offseason.

Im sure a team like the Braves would have given up some good talent for him.

Some of the most violent things I’ve ever seen were at Raiders games. And I’ve been to jail. - leopold bloom

by designatedforassignment on Apr 6, 2009 12:07 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

hindsight bias

noone could/should have guessed he’d be healthy still

"True fact: In a global thermonuclear war, the only human who would survive would be David Eckstein" -PT

by travdog6 on Apr 7, 2009 1:34 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Nor is he, apparently

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 7, 2009 8:14 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

how are you sure?

harden’s velocity was down in the previous white sox start and there were rumblings of a missed start or DL trip

beane decided to trade him sooner, rather than later. only complaint was getting fringe, mlb ready guys like murton/patterson who a short time later ended up buried on the depth chart.

by Asfan4ever723 on Apr 5, 2009 2:09 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

how do you know that?

"True fact: In a global thermonuclear war, the only human who would survive would be David Eckstein" -PT

by travdog6 on Apr 5, 2009 4:52 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'm thinking Beane took the best deal available,

rather than saying, “Your deal is better, but I really like the name ‘Gallagher’ so I’m going with the Cubs.” I also know that there was virtually no interest in Harden all year; don’t ask me how I know that.

I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal

by Nico on Apr 5, 2009 5:41 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

ya i agree

i have full confidence that this was a good deal. even though harden is so dominant, he’s rarely healthy. even tho harden didn’t end up getting injured, i still think beane made the right decision unloading him when he did. harden’s a ticking time bomb.

"True fact: In a global thermonuclear war, the only human who would survive would be David Eckstein" -PT

by travdog6 on Apr 5, 2009 7:08 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yup. And as it stands, it looks possible/likely

that Harden was only healthy enough to get the 2008 season, which wouldn’t have done the A’s a lot of good. Rebuilding is rebuilding, and if either Gallagher or Donaldson turn out to be plus players, let alone both, the trade will have served Oakland’s needs.

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 5, 2009 7:51 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

How do you know that?

It’s a pretty important question to blithely go, “I know but don’t ask me how I know.” Did someone with connections to the A’s tell you that directly?

by richwol1 on Apr 5, 2009 9:05 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I know it's hard to capture tone online,

but I didn’t say it “blithely.” It was more “winsomely.”

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 5, 2009 9:10 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Thesaurus junkie

by richwol1 on Apr 5, 2009 9:13 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Well you got it half 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

by Nico on Apr 5, 2009 9:44 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

regardless

How did you know?

:-X

"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 5, 2009 10:00 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

That explains Hannahan, too.

Names that begin with a six-letter palindrome are the latest hot commodity.

"Go ahead and overachieve, you scrappy Brett-Favre-colored walk-takers."

by iglew on Apr 6, 2009 1:02 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

You mean there was no interest in Harden in June?

The trade was the second deal to culminate that year. He should have waited or kept Harden.

Some of the most violent things I’ve ever seen were at Raiders games. And I’ve been to jail. - leopold bloom

by designatedforassignment on Apr 6, 2009 12:09 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I disagree

CUBS:
Harden – 10.38 ERA
Gaudin – 10.26 ERA
-Both are having horrid springs

And you can’t really evaluate the A’s side of the trade yet, but Donaldson has looked spectacular and I still have a lot of faith in Gallagher turning it around… and that’s only two pieces of the trade.

"If my uniform doesn't get dirty, I haven't done anything in the baseball game." - Rickey Henderson

by BillMoresi on Apr 4, 2009 7:54 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I saw Harden pitch today and a few of his fastballs were at 84. most of them were from 86-88. The hardest i saw him throw was 90.

by BIGa's on Apr 4, 2009 10:56 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

im pretty sure he’ll end up on the DL soon.

by BIGa's on Apr 4, 2009 11:00 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

While watching Baseball Tonight, ESPN’s Tim Kurkjian said that Brett Anderson will make the biggest rookie impact. He also said that this year’s Rays are the A’s.

The Ultimate Opportunist

by Rated-R Superstar on Apr 4, 2009 7:29 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

This year's 2008 Rays, I hope

I’m not so keen on earlier Rays seasons….

"Go ahead and overachieve, you scrappy Brett-Favre-colored walk-takers."

by iglew on Apr 4, 2009 10:12 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

A's official 40=man roster shows...

both Duke & Devine on the 60-day DL. I’m not sure if Slusser is wrong or if the A’s site has it wrong.

40-man Roster

"just a beating heart ... plasma that we'll put into our uniform." - Billy Beane

by athleticsBB4life on Apr 4, 2009 7:36 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

This way makes more sense. Not sure how Duke can be back before mid May.

It's not the results, it's how you look going about those results -- Tim McCarver

by WaddellCanseco on Apr 4, 2009 8:00 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Says Duke 15 Day to me.

"Their Triple-A rotation, led by Trevor Cahill and Brett Anderson, could be better than some big-league rotations; Michael Ynoa is the best Latin American prospect of the decade; 2008 draftees Jemile Weeks and Rashun Dixon bring much-needed tools to an advanced group of hitters." - BaseballProspectus.com

by Syphon on Apr 4, 2009 10:35 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Also 41 names on the 40 man roster

‘Bout time the A’s caught a break.

The monster at the end of this blog.

by grover on Apr 4, 2009 11:19 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Well, no real surprises...

I’m still of the opinion that Gallagher should be in AAA starting if he’s not starting here, but that’s been discussed at length already.

It’ll be interesting to see how many ABs Nomar gets here early on. He was raking this spring. It would be rather silly to turn around and put the hot bat on the bench, no?

Sometimes the impossible can become possible if you're AWESOME!

by ZeroIndulgence on Apr 5, 2009 12:56 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I remember thinking

that he looked good playing 1B against the Gnats. If he can be decent defensively at 3rd, he might well get all the 3B starts vs lefty starters.

by Nate on Apr 5, 2009 1:39 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Chavy says he won't play 3 games in a row

so it might make sense to do that.

Chicago. Where the Dead can Vote. Where the Voters of Tomorrow are found in the Obituaries of Today.

by Zonis on Apr 5, 2009 12:04 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'd like to see Nomar at 1B on Opening Night,

with Chavy at 3B (the guy has worked so hard to get back, he absolutely should start Opening Night if he can). Let Giambi sit, knowing he’ll start at 1B the next three days, and then let Nomar start at 3B on Wednesday or Thursday against a righty.

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 5, 2009 12:43 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

The other choice is Cust RF, Nomar 1B, Giambi DH

It's not the results, it's how you look going about those results -- Tim McCarver

by WaddellCanseco on Apr 5, 2009 8:59 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I am surprised Gio got sent Down

He has good stuff he just needs to work on his location. Probably the same thing with Gallagher, and with our pitching staff he will get tons of work in the biggs

by Athletic on Apr 5, 2009 10:37 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Maybe just best for Gio to start for Sac

than pitch in long relief, or relief at all, for Oak. If Gio proves he can throw strikes, he’ll be up mucho quickly. And until he proves it, he doesn’t really belong in the big leagues.

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 5, 2009 11:56 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Gio lost time this spring because of his shoulder so they probably just want him to start the year as a starter in Sac to build him up

Also, Gallagher lost some speed on his fastball so he is going to be building up his power. RIght now he is like Gio last year, just needs some time as a reliever to work on things. Both Gallagher and Gio will be starting sometime this year.

"Whether you think you can, or you think you can't, either way, YOU'RE RIGHT !"

by Eastbayjim on Apr 5, 2009 12:20 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Ya they'll probably have about 12 guys who start a game.

It's not the results, it's how you look going about those results -- Tim McCarver

by WaddellCanseco on Apr 5, 2009 12:43 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Which one?

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 5, 2009 12:44 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Baseball

It's not the results, it's how you look going about those results -- Tim McCarver

by WaddellCanseco on Apr 5, 2009 8:59 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Just wanted to share this link

It’s an MLB Season Preview at the A’s official website.

It says it all comes down to their rotation, which they claim consists of Duke, Eveland, Braden, Gio and Gallagher. Well, 40% ain’t bad. Wait, yes it is.

by NateHST on Apr 5, 2009 1:09 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

MLB.com

Some of the most violent things I’ve ever seen were at Raiders games. And I’ve been to jail. - leopold bloom

by designatedforassignment on Apr 5, 2009 1:12 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Arrrg ... two returns = a post damn it!

MLB.com’s analysts suck. Really really bad. You would think that they would get some BP people or what not to cater to a more robust understanding of the game rather than hacks who don’t know their head from their ass.

Some of the most violent things I’ve ever seen were at Raiders games. And I’ve been to jail. - leopold bloom

by designatedforassignment on Apr 5, 2009 1:13 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

By the more intelligent fans, are you referring to A's fans?

Because if you are, MLB.com’s A’s fans have never demonstrated the same level of intelligence as AN members. Every point we strive to make here goes completely unnoticed by many of them. If you’re referring to all baseball fans, I’ve thought about this before and come to the conclusion that while it would definitely increase the respect and attention that more objective fans would give it, it would be pretty much lost on everybody else.

by NateHST on Apr 5, 2009 1:30 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Ionno

Dave Cameron is running articles in the WSJ. I think other people if exposed to it would be able to grasp it.

Some of the most violent things I’ve ever seen were at Raiders games. And I’ve been to jail. - leopold bloom

by designatedforassignment on Apr 6, 2009 12:12 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Honestly I like the bullpen

Gallagher
Wuertz
Casilla
Bailey
Springer
Blevins
Ziegler

Except for gallagher, I’m pretty comfortable with all of these guys. None of them are lights out, but I feel like all of them have a good chance of being well-above average. I like the potential of Blevins/Ziegler/Bailey/Devine as an elite playoff type 7-9 bullpen.

I miss Chad God

by ChadGod on Apr 5, 2009 10:06 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I'd like it better if...

Devine were in it and Wuetz were out of it.

I’d like it better if Gallagher were in the rotation and Outman in the pen.

But, maybe that’s just me.

Clowns to the left of me... Jokers to the right...

by FoolshGame22 on Apr 5, 2009 11:19 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I actually like Wuertz too

Trust in Beane.

Wuertz is definitely going to be one of those guys.

I miss Chad God

by ChadGod on Apr 6, 2009 12:01 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Agree. And as for Gallagher,

even if you’re not comfortable with him or sold on him, he’s a luxury as a long reliever. Talk about pitching below slot.

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 6, 2009 9:03 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs