A's Looking For Starting Pitching
by nocal81(Vincent) on Aug 19, 2009 12:44 PM PDT
Email
Print
According to Susan Slusser the A's are looking outside the organization for starting pitching. Usually it's rarity for non contending teams to look for veteran pitchers but the A's are in a bit of a different situation. They don't want to overwork rookies Trevor Cahill, Vin Mazarro and Brett Anderson. Beane and Geren have talked about going to a 6 man rotation but both the Duke and Braden remain on the DL so at this point that is not an option.
Slusser mentions that former A's ace Mark Mulder is a possibility and that the A's have discussed him at least on an internal level. My opinion is that we do need to shut down the three rookies at some point, it's not worth them getting overworked in a non contending situation. Brett Tomko led a shutout against the mighty Yankees on Monday and may remain and option, but in all seriousness how many of us expect him to do anything near that for the rest of the season? I would like the A's to call up Simmons and give him a start or two. I know many of you are against that but it' worth a shot. Clayton Mortenson is also a possiblity as is veteran Shawn Chacon who is struggling big time in AAA Sacramento. Our minor league options remain limited after that. I have no interest of seeing Jerome Williams pitching for the A's this season or ever for that matter. I am not sure how many if any veteran free agent starters are on the market or which ones would want to go to a non contending team. Another option is claiming players on waivers but i am sure the A's don't want to pick up much salary.
71 comments
|
0 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
I hear Vicente Padilla is looking for a job
Why are you all throwing chairs at me? What, was it something I said?
Linda's in the cold ground, won't see her anymore
Somewhere out on the highway tonight, the drunken engines roar
It's just one of those things, one of those things
-- Al Stewart, "Accident on 3rd St."
In memory of Nick Adenhart and all victims of drunk driving
Is Jose Lima still kickin it somewhere
Outman, fighter of the Hitman, champion of the K, he's a master of scoreless innings and friendship for everyone.
by walk off bunt on Aug 19, 2009 1:23 PM PDT up reply actions
all right
"If Vin Mazzaro comes anywhere near me with shaving cream he’s gonna be coming away with a bloody stump" – Dallas Braden
I knew there was a reason I wanted to go see him play for the Long Beach Armada
Too late. He was traded to Edmonton.
I'm imagining the nursing years and am suddenly quite jealous of that young boy.
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
Mrs. Lima is a spokesperson for the La Leche League
I think they still promote breastfeeding until age 7
"I've been accused of using too many words...I suppose that's like accusing Mozart of using too many notes." Bill King
El nino Lima,
heche con leche y amor…
"Flea Markets aren't just for blind dates anymore!"- The Reverend Billy Lard
by Gaijin_Suketto on Aug 20, 2009 8:20 AM PDT up reply actions
age 7 hmph. I say until age 70.
"Go ahead and overachieve, you scrappy Brett-Favre-colored walk-takers." —Rev Halofan
Finally being a baseball fan in Edmonton pays off
He even sung the Canadian anthem last night, and has the start tonight.
love, mike
Those are some freaking huge, uh, advertisements in the background!
The Ultimate Opportunist
by Rated-R Superstar on Aug 19, 2009 1:48 PM PDT up reply actions
Or he's just a really, really nice guy
and wants us to be happy.
"Surely these gents are talking about the dashing rookie campaign of southpaw Jamie Moyer. Now, that cat is on the up and up." JLaff, in 1929.
I don’t get why Dana Eveland wouldn’t be considered. Yeah, he hasn’t been very good at the big-league level…but neither has Tomko and they gave him a start against the Yankees. We’re just talking about a month and a half here, why go outside the organization? This makes no sense to me.
"All your baserunner are belong to Greg Smith" ~ walk off bunt
We don't know that Eveland isn't being considered
When the A’s were calling up Mortensen and Tomko, Eveland was having back-to-back starts where he gave up 9 ER in AAA. He just had a much better start in AAA, but it’s not time to shut down Cahill and Anderson yet. I wouldn’t be surprised if Eveland gets the call in September to make starts in Cahill or Anderson’s spot.
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
Kyle Middleton
Another pitcher who could come up from the A’s organization to give relief to Cahill et al. is Kyle Middleton, a pitcher who has kicked around the minor leagues for quite a while but who is now pitching very effectively as a starter for Midland. He’s no spring chicken and the A’s may think he has the experience and the maturity to give a look-see at the major league club in the near future. He had been used as a closer with other organizations, but the A’s have converted him back into a starter and things seem to be working out for him.
chronic
I say give Chacon or Williams one last chance………I agree with above, why give Tomko starts over ANYONE in the A’s system……….
by Colorado Booze Hounds on Aug 19, 2009 1:07 PM PDT reply actions
Just a thought
But wasn’t Tim Hudson on the waiver, coming back from last year’s surgery?
It's just more exciting with Billy Beane running the team.
no
"If you hit .440 with 20 bombs, you don't have to do s---. You don't have to bring a glove to practice, just hit and leave whenever you want. You can bring a 40 and smoke a cigarette and call me from the parking lot asking me what time the game is, and I'll tell you. You can even say 'F--- you, Steve!' Actually, don't say that, that wouldn't be very nice." -Steve Friend, Head Coach, Chabot College Gladiators Baseball
at this point
if they’re just trying to save the young kid’s arms, then bring someone up from AAA. Wins and losses don’t really matter at this point, there’s no chance they’ll be in the playoffs now.
Sugar ... water .... and, of course, purple.
Actually, wins and losses do matter --
more losses means a higher draft pick. Rotation: Eveland, Tomko, Eveland, E. Gonzalez, Eveland!!!
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
Shortstop.
and leadoff hitter.
"I’m Joey Devine, I’m what Joba Chamberlain would be if he was good and nobody had ever heard of him."
Volleybaseball.....
The way to play the game in the 21st century
"I never blame myself when I'm not hitting. I just blame the bat, and if it keeps up, I change bats. After all, if I know it isn't my fault that I'm not hitting, how can I get mad at myself?" Yogi Berra
by BERRYJO on Aug 19, 2009 11:17 PM PDT up reply actions
That would actually be a fascinating (if also potentially lethal) variant of baseball
Linda's in the cold ground, won't see her anymore
Somewhere out on the highway tonight, the drunken engines roar
It's just one of those things, one of those things
-- Al Stewart, "Accident on 3rd St."
In memory of Nick Adenhart and all victims of drunk driving
Can you think of how complete the athlete would have to be to compete in such a game??
Extreme organized team sport?
"I never blame myself when I'm not hitting. I just blame the bat, and if it keeps up, I change bats. After all, if I know it isn't my fault that I'm not hitting, how can I get mad at myself?" Yogi Berra
by BERRYJO on Aug 19, 2009 11:39 PM PDT up reply actions
Wins have value for their own sake, not just for the playoffs.
If you’re enjoying a game, it’s still more fun to win than to lose. Baseball is about the game, not about the post-season rankings.
"Go ahead and overachieve, you scrappy Brett-Favre-colored walk-takers." —Rev Halofan
Regardless of who they do go with
I’m glad that they’re being sensible about this and looking to take pressure off these young arms.
As it is, whomever they get in is going to be much of a muchness, so it frankly doesn’t bother me. Wins and losses at this point aren’t important beyond the game in which they occur (obviously, when the team is playing, I want to see a win), so yeah. whomever.
Crazy question
What if this team was competing for a playoff spot, would they still want to limit the young pitchers innings in the middle of a playoff race?
Pitching more innings should toughen them up.
McGwire belongs in the Hall so put him there
by streetisclosedin08 on Aug 19, 2009 2:30 PM PDT reply actions
But they aren't going for a playoff spot
and more pitching won’t toughen them up it’ll just make them more likely to get hurt. The future of this team is the young pitching and the A’s need to do everything to protect that future.
Sure it would toughen them up
But face the facts. Guys that increase their innings a huge amount over one season are way more likely to be hurt. It’s been proven.
I imagine if the club was in a playoff race, they’d still find a way. But if they were in a playoff race, that probably means our rotation had stuck together better without injury, and the bullpen was more dependable so they only needed 5 innings out of these guys.
But they’re not, so it doesn’t really matter.
love, mike
if we were in a playoff race, they wouldnt have been here to begin with
"Sometimes Joe (morgan) doesn't like facts to get in the way of his opinions."- billy beane
"That was a great pick...if this was 2002" Me, to guy who selected Barry Zito in a fantasy draft
www.27ClubPeak.blogspot.com
by harendaman365 on Aug 19, 2009 4:13 PM PDT up reply actions
Personally, I prefer healthy pitchers to "tough" pitchers
Linda's in the cold ground, won't see her anymore
Somewhere out on the highway tonight, the drunken engines roar
It's just one of those things, one of those things
-- Al Stewart, "Accident on 3rd St."
In memory of Nick Adenhart and all victims of drunk driving
I'm starting to think that whole thing was just an offhand comment blown way out of proportion
Linda's in the cold ground, won't see her anymore
Somewhere out on the highway tonight, the drunken engines roar
It's just one of those things, one of those things
-- Al Stewart, "Accident on 3rd St."
In memory of Nick Adenhart and all victims of drunk driving
Considering how they aren't pushing Font Perez that makes some sense.
Eventually, my colleague and I trotted from the two-bit seats to the three-bit seats to get a closer view of the action. - Jlaff on Turn Back the Clock Day
by designatedforassignment on Aug 20, 2009 3:05 PM PDT up reply actions
Rivercats
My guess is they are checking the waiver wire because if they pull starters from AAA, then they screw up the Rivercat’s playoff run. As much as we’d say “who cares”, I know they don’t like to disrupt the minor league playoffs, it’s good for the kids to get a taste for winning.
I dunno about that
but honestly, wouldn’t it be nice to get the kids there a run at the AAA title. Again? Talk about crushing the PCL.
still Swish Fan #1.
I wonder what the PCL record for consecutive titles is
Looks like the S.F. Seals 4-peated back in the 1940s, but maybe that shouldn’t count. I have to imagine WWII thinned out talent in the minor leagues even worse than in the majors.
A couple of other teams managed to threepeat, so Sacramento could potentially tie those runs this year.
Linda's in the cold ground, won't see her anymore
Somewhere out on the highway tonight, the drunken engines roar
It's just one of those things, one of those things
-- Al Stewart, "Accident on 3rd St."
In memory of Nick Adenhart and all victims of drunk driving
well.
They’re certainly running away with the regular season title.
Do they still switch the home-away advantage in the post-season, the way the Twins used in 87/91?
Is the AAA “Championship Game” played in OKC again this year?
still Swish Fan #1.
I think the AAA championship game has been abolished
Home field advantage is, I think, determined by best regular season record.
Linda's in the cold ground, won't see her anymore
Somewhere out on the highway tonight, the drunken engines roar
It's just one of those things, one of those things
-- Al Stewart, "Accident on 3rd St."
In memory of Nick Adenhart and all victims of drunk driving
that's too bad...
I liked the Brickyard Classic,
especially that year that Lou Merloni destroyed the Richmond Braves singlehandedly…
Admittedly, the idea of a one game AAA championship is dumbsauce, but I like seeing my RiverCats on national TV.
"Flea Markets aren't just for blind dates anymore!"- The Reverend Billy Lard
by Gaijin_Suketto on Aug 20, 2009 8:23 AM PDT up reply actions
Well, hell, I'd like to see an actual series
It’s weird that the Midwest League has more playoff rounds than the PCL.
All a question of economics, I suppose.
Linda's in the cold ground, won't see her anymore
Somewhere out on the highway tonight, the drunken engines roar
It's just one of those things, one of those things
-- Al Stewart, "Accident on 3rd St."
In memory of Nick Adenhart and all victims of drunk driving
Crushing the PCL
again would be nice. But right now I am more impressed with the chugging of the wine that’s going on in your avatar. :-o
Rickey has spoken. Keep the Athletics in Bump City.
RE: At least until he gives up a run. Or three. Or eleven.
But who will pitch the second inning, then?
"PECOTA can pretty much kiss my ass."-Nico
Saving the kids' arms and winning are purt near mutually exclusive concepts for this club
If the idea is to limit innings for Anderson, Cahill, and the rest, then bring up whatever veteran dreck you have in the minors to take the ball every fifth day. The wins may not roll in, but it ain’t like the A’s are in the thick of a playoff race.
’Sides, the more lopsided the record is this season the more impressive the turnaround next season.
Mulder
No brainer for him to play for the A’s. He could go to a pitcher friendly park and get his baseball career back.
I would love to see this.
Sign him to a minor league deal for the rest of this year and next with some incentives that if he makes the big league club and performs he gets paid well.
Pitch counts and innings caps. Pfft!
Will there ever be another 300 game winner with all of the coddling?
As for looking outside the organization, perhaps Beane’s relationship with Riccardi is solid enough for the Athletics to re-aqcuire Rick Langford for the remainder of the season.
Josh Towers!
Or hey, I wonder what Chad Gaudin’s doing at the moment? He’s been pretty horrible of later, and there was that whole starting / no chad you suck unpleasantness when he was here, but still. get it done!
oh wait, what’s that? Can he pitch both halves of an inning, then?
I voted for add a veteran
But only because I am intrigued by the Mulder possibility. Mainly because I would like the A’s to add a veteran arm next year who can give them some decent innings for at least the beginning of the season. I don’t like the idea of Anderson, Mazarro, Gonzalez, and Cahill being handed starting spots out of spring training next year.
I’ve still got a soft spot for Mulder and as long as we’re looking for filler to eat up innings at the end of a losing season I wouldn’t mind using it as an audition for Mulder. Thus giving the team a few starts to evaluate him first hand and see what the possibility of him being useful next year would be.
Seeing as Mulder seemed to enjoy his time in Oakland I think if he proved himself to be somewhat rehabilitated at the end of the season he would give the A’s preference in a reasonable deal for next season.
Rich Harden: Still Chargin'!
The Cubs probably won’t do anything with him until after the season is over, but would he be welcome back in Bump City? He’s been wicked sick for the Cubs these past couple of seasons, but there’s a chance he won’t be back; fans are split (I say keep him), but we’ll have to see what happens.
He and Duke are both injury prone, but (at least) Rich hasn’t been out for a full season. Could the A’s possibly allow him to skip a start every so often in deference to his elbow? The Cubs can, but I don’t know if the A’s have the starter depth to have that luxury.
Let Billy Goat stay with the Yankees.
Rickey has spoken.
Mulder
I gave up on him after his line about how many more wins he’d have had with the Cardinals lineup hitting behind him in 2004. The same year that ******** went like 0-5 with an 8 ERA in September.
still Swish Fan #1.
not his fault the a's can't hit
"If you hit .440 with 20 bombs, you don't have to do s---. You don't have to bring a glove to practice, just hit and leave whenever you want. You can bring a 40 and smoke a cigarette and call me from the parking lot asking me what time the game is, and I'll tell you. You can even say 'F--- you, Steve!' Actually, don't say that, that wouldn't be very nice." -Steve Friend, Head Coach, Chabot College Gladiators Baseball
While he was very obviously hurt...
its not his fault the A’s kept sending him out to the bump.
Eventually, my colleague and I trotted from the two-bit seats to the three-bit seats to get a closer view of the action. - Jlaff on Turn Back the Clock Day
by designatedforassignment on Aug 20, 2009 11:21 AM PDT up reply actions
Well Vicente Padilla is no longer an option.
He has signed with the dodgers. I hope now that he’s in the NL he gets plunked every time he steps to the plate and his teammates laugh at him as it happens.
Hopefully he was never an option.
"I’m Joey Devine, I’m what Joba Chamberlain would be if he was good and nobody had ever heard of him."
He would have thrown past the batter to drill Suzuki.
by LoneStranger on Aug 20, 2009 2:22 PM PDT up reply actions
Forcing Suzuki to hit a home run for the opposing team.
"Go ahead and overachieve, you scrappy Brett-Favre-colored walk-takers." —Rev Halofan
A's just acquired Scott Patterson from the Padres
for cash considerations. I don’t know much about him. He’s apparently 30 years old and was released by the Yankees at the end of the 2008 season. The Padres had him pitching in AAA this season.
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
Related FanPosts on Athletics Nation
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Recommended FanPosts
Recent FanPosts
Baseball Nation Recent Stories
In Association With
Big League Stew - MLB - Yahoo! Sports
- Get a grip: Reds’ Todd Frazier loses bat, still connects for home run (Video)
- Eric Hosmer redefines the Baltimore chop with infield double (Video)
- College player makes impossible over the fence catch to save tournament game (Video)
- Security!: Camden Yards guard collides with Royals’ Mike Moustakas
- The Juice: Nelson Cruz matches career high eight RBIs, Pujols stays hot in Seattle
