A's call up three Rivercats for 9/19 – Slusser update on who and why added

by OaklandSi on Sep 19, 2009 10:10 AM PDT Comment 61 comments

Listening to Marty Lurie's "inside baseball" show this morning, his first guest is Vince Cotroneo. The first thing he mentioned was that, witih the Rivercats' season done the A's have called up three players:

relief pitcher John Meloan (Vince pointed out that he has bounced around many clubs)

relief pitcher Henry Rodriguez (the fireballing prospect) -- his first callup to the big leagues

outfielder Travis Buck -- remember him?

Marty asked Vince about Wallace and Carter, about whom there has been much speculation. (Slusser laid out a rationale yesterday for calling Carter up.) Vince replied that the A's don't want to start the major league clocks for Wallace or Carter just yet.

Update: I put an update below that Susan Slusser wrote that explains who was called up or not, and why. It also doesn't sound like Buck is going to get much playing time, from what she wrote.

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I completely agree with not bringing up Carter or Wallace.

Rodriguez seems rushed, but probably a replacement flamethrower when Casilla is nontendered or dealt for anything at all.

Buck had better friggin get some playing time. We should be seeing Buck/Davis/Sweeney every day the rest of the season.

They call their best player "Kung Fu Panda" and they complain that people aren’t taking them or the game seriously enough? -Nick

by mikev on Sep 19, 2009 10:37 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Geren has mentioned something about Sweeney having some knee pain

by OaklandSi on Sep 19, 2009 10:45 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Buck not in today's (Saturday) starting lineup either

Cleveland is starting another lefty…tomorrow the starter is righty Fausto Carmona, so we’ll see if Buck gets the start.

by OaklandSi on Sep 19, 2009 12:13 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Buck/Davis/Sweeney sounds good to me.

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 Sep 19, 2009 12:06 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Not really rushed

He was on the 40 man already, so it’s just a matter of calling him up instead of sending him home. I assume he’ll start in AAA next year.

With stout hearts, and with enthusiasm for the contest, let us go forward to victory. ----Hero Defector Montgomery

by mikeA on Sep 19, 2009 12:16 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yes, but I'm excited to see him pitch in the majors.

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

by WaddellCanseco on Sep 19, 2009 6:29 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yes, but I'm excited to see him pitch in the majors.

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

by WaddellCanseco on Sep 19, 2009 6:30 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

You sound excited to see him pitch in the majors.

Is this the real life-
Is this just fantasy-
Caught in a landslide-
No escape from reality-

by Daniel777 on Sep 19, 2009 6:34 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Henry Rodriguez

was the starter for the one Kane County game I went too. I will definitely be excited when he gets his first Major League IP.

by colin on Sep 19, 2009 6:54 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I meant in the context of "He hasn't been that good" and probably didn't deserve a callup based on his performance.

They call their best player "Kung Fu Panda" and they complain that people aren’t taking them or the game seriously enough? -Nick

by mikev on Sep 20, 2009 9:58 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Agree on all accounts

though I suspect Rodriquez won’t see much team. Big bullpen, probably want to save some of the innings off of some of the mainstays, but most of that can be done buy some of the filler and new kids who earned the call.

CuttheMullet, from "The Thread":
"Whenever I’m about to do something, I think "would an idiot do that?" and if they would, I do not do that thing."

by DMOAS on Sep 19, 2009 5:15 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Geren mentioned in Slusser's column that he would look for

a “low pressure” situation for Rodriguez to pitch in. Looks like it’s probably just a way to get his feet wet in the big leagues.

by OaklandSi on Sep 20, 2009 10:01 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

nah Beane needs Hairston playing every day

to hopefully get his numbers up so people will stop saying he got hosed on that deal

by PL78 on Sep 21, 2009 12:34 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Wallace wasn't going to come up anyway because the A's have no need to move him to the 40-man roster yet

Carter will be before the Rule 5 draft, and I’m glad they’re letting him finish with the end of Sacramento’s season.

Rodriguez will wow people with his fastball but put dents in the backstop.

Last of the Ninth - Photography

by Flashfire on Sep 19, 2009 10:38 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

obviously Carter will get put on the 40 man before Rule 5

Now that the Rivercats’ season is done, do you think the A’s will call him up before October 4 (as Slusser suggested)? Or not call him up to avoid starting his MLB clock (as Cotroneo suggested on Marty’s show this morning)?

by OaklandSi on Sep 19, 2009 10:44 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I think, if anything, they'll invite him to a few home games to sit in the dugout, etc.

I just don’t see any reason to call him up. There’s no benefit to be had.

Tell the kid he’s had one hell of a season and to be ready for Spring Training next year.

They call their best player "Kung Fu Panda" and they complain that people aren’t taking them or the game seriously enough? -Nick

by mikev on Sep 19, 2009 10:59 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I really hope they'd give someone like he & wallace

a chance to come and hangout in the dugout with the team like that. No need for them to be on the roster, but just get a good feel for what they’re working towards.

CuttheMullet, from "The Thread":
"Whenever I’m about to do something, I think "would an idiot do that?" and if they would, I do not do that thing."

by DMOAS on Sep 19, 2009 5:17 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I endorse that.

Warriors, Stupidest franchise in the league.

"It takes a special kind of anti-mojo for a team to miss the playoffs 14 out of 15 seasons. Like, say, the Warriors under Chris Cohan."

by kenntoe on Sep 19, 2009 6:51 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I get the feeling they'll tell Carter "Nice year kid, now take a little time for yourself and get ready for 2010"

I don’t think they’ll call him up but if they do it could be to have him around to see the Major League atmosphere at the very most.

Last of the Ninth - Photography

by Flashfire on Sep 19, 2009 11:01 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

HAHAH TOTALLY BEAT YOU TO IT!!!

They call their best player "Kung Fu Panda" and they complain that people aren’t taking them or the game seriously enough? -Nick

by mikev on Sep 19, 2009 11:21 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

so that's an invite, not a callup

makes total sense to me

by OaklandSi on Sep 19, 2009 11:25 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

TRAVIS!

Woo!

by whiteshoes40 on Sep 19, 2009 11:01 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Cunningham?

Why bring up Buck and not Cunningham? I say bring them both up and shut down Hairston and his bad quad.

"Or, as Randy Jackson would say: Not feelin’ it, dawg."
-bench-blob- posting virgin.

by jjham15 on Sep 19, 2009 11:52 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Marty just read today's starting lineup, which is exactly the same as last night

no Buck, no Sweeney (who reportedly is having knee problems), no Cust or Kennedy. Hairston batting third, Nomar cleanup and Crosby protecting Nomar…

by OaklandSi on Sep 19, 2009 12:01 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

no kidding

Hairston has looked pretty bad at the plate for awhile now

Zeigler to Geren…."A-Rod? He’s my bitch." -alox

by mrod on Sep 19, 2009 1:34 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I approve of these moves.....

But obviously Norma and Cros at 4 and 5 make me wince.
Is there a reason they are still here? Lack of cheap fill-ins?

Is this the real life-
Is this just fantasy-
Caught in a landslide-
No escape from reality-

by Daniel777 on Sep 19, 2009 12:18 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

and Hairston batting third?...didn't do much last night in that spot

overheard in section 225 last night, after Hairston and Nomar failed to move the runner over or in, early in the game:

fan sitting in row 7 seat 1 “two unproductive outs from the 3 and 4 hitters”
fan sitting in row 7 seat 3 “speaking of unproductive outs, here comes Crosby to the plate”

by OaklandSi on Sep 19, 2009 12:21 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Hariston is 3rd because we're facing a LHP and he destroys them.

LOL @ seat 3 :-)

Is this the real life-
Is this just fantasy-
Caught in a landslide-
No escape from reality-

by Daniel777 on Sep 19, 2009 12:55 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

it seems Marty was wrong about today's lineup

or perhaps he saw an earlier version of it (he did say he thought at first it was a typo or last night’s lineup). The lineup posted by Nico in the gameday thread is taken from MLB, and has the same players but lined up differently — and better, i think.

by OaklandSi on Sep 19, 2009 1:00 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Don't worry, you only have to see them for a few more weeks.

Warriors, Stupidest franchise in the league.

"It takes a special kind of anti-mojo for a team to miss the playoffs 14 out of 15 seasons. Like, say, the Warriors under Chris Cohan."

by kenntoe on Sep 19, 2009 6:52 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'm surprised about Henry Rodriguez

I guess it might be a good learning experience for him, but he obviously has a lot of stuff he needs to work out before he can be a reliable MLer.

by DDroney on Sep 19, 2009 3:38 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

it could be a confidence builder

yeah, his control is lousy and he might bomb. But he’s also new to the league. He could come in for an inning and throw nothing but fastballs, get a few major league hitters out, and earn some swagger for next spring training.

I don’t think he’s going to throw many innings, and he definitely should start next year in the minors, but he has stuff and this might be good for him.

by colin on Sep 19, 2009 6:58 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Slusser wrote an update on the how's and why's of who was called up

and who wasn’t…link here…

briefly, Geren told Slusser that he wants Barton to finish up the season at first, and that Buck wouldn’t get much playing time, barring injury needs for the other outfielders.

by OaklandSi on Sep 19, 2009 4:52 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

But in no way is Buck in the organizational doghouse.

The monster at the end of this blog.

by grover on Sep 19, 2009 5:05 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Because we really need to see more Hairston right now

Last of the Ninth - Photography

by Flashfire on Sep 19, 2009 5:12 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I've seen enough of him. If that helps?

Warriors, Stupidest franchise in the league.

"It takes a special kind of anti-mojo for a team to miss the playoffs 14 out of 15 seasons. Like, say, the Warriors under Chris Cohan."

by kenntoe on Sep 19, 2009 6:53 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Hairston is simply awful

a nice little AAAA, errr! NL player, but a major league player, no thanks.
Why is he wasting AB’s when the A’s could be finding out whether Patterson will ever hit in the AL ( I doubt it). Personally, I would love to see Cunningham put in left and leave him there for the last two weeks. Nothing is being learned by letting Hairston play every day, take that back, we are learning that he is not a major league hitter.

by Laoren on Sep 20, 2009 8:08 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

"We still really like Travis!" -Farhan Zaidi

by Tripp on Sep 19, 2009 5:19 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

“We still really like Travis…when he’s nowhere near Oakland!”

by speckops on Sep 20, 2009 10:55 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Cunningham wasn't discussed for whatever reason.

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

by WaddellCanseco on Sep 19, 2009 6:31 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Cunningham

Makes no sense why he wasn’t called up. Sweeney has knee issues, so even if he is feeling well now it makes sense to rest him some. Hairston hasn’t been all that good since his quad started acting up and you already have a good sense of his abilities. Cunningham has already been up. He and Buck could start half the remaining games or so. Maybe they just want to let Aaron start his vacation after the concussion and all, but he has been playing non-stop since coming back anyway.

The A’s seem to me to have mishandled their surfeit of outfielders, although Davis has been quite good and Sweeney’s fielding is enough to make him a pretty decent player, but I’d still think he is a 4th outfielder.

by wobatus on Sep 21, 2009 8:52 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I mentioned this in the other thread, but I'll ask again here:

To all of you who are adamant that Buck should see more playing time, why are you more eager to see him play than our current regulars, or for that matter Cunningham, Carson, or Patterson? Is it because you think Buck is likely to outperform any of our regulars, or just because you know it’s getting close to time to cut bait on Buck so you want one last good look at him?

The reason I ask is because when I look at the numbers, it looks to me like Buck has not outhit anyone since 2007. In Sacramento, Cunningham, Patterson, and Carson all hit better than Buck. In Oakland, Sweeney, Rajai and Cust have all hit better than Buck, while Hairston was roughly the same in Oakland but better in San Diego.

What am I missing? Why do you think 2007 is the real Buck and 2008 and 2009 are the exception?

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

by iglew on Sep 19, 2009 6:53 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

2007 is a much larger sample than 2008 and 2009.

I don’t understand how people don’t get that.

"Chicks dig the long ball, although fat chicks will settle for warning track power" - Nick Diamond

by hero66 on Sep 19, 2009 7:00 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

So his Sacramento numbers mean nothing to you then?

In 2007, he had 334 PA in Oakland and 9 in Sacto for a total of 343.

In 2008, he had 172 PA in Oakland and 197 in Sacto for a total of 369.

In 2009, he’s had 101 PA in Oakland and 266 in Sacto for a total of 367.

I understand that AAA stats aren’t proof of how a guy will do in the majors, but usually that argument goes the other way — like someone might say, “Even though Eric Patterson is hitting great in AAA, he might still be bad in the majors.” But with Buck the logic is, “Even though Travis Buck isn’t hitting great in AAA, he might still be good in the majors.”

And even if you discard all his AAA numbers, is 273 PA really that much smaller a sample than 334 PA? Especially when the 273 are more recent.

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

by iglew on Sep 19, 2009 7:22 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I really wanted more playing time for him in 2008 and the beginning of this season

but yeah, he’s at the point now that he needs to show someone what he can do. I think it was a real shame that he was sent back to AAA after a game in which he homered this year, and I still wonder if he just needs to get something straightened out and he’ll be okay. In any case, at this point in time he needs to perform betternin AAA before he can expect big league time. Like many have said, a change of scenery is likely in the cards for Mr. Buck. A team lucking for a serviceable outfielder will find one in Buck.

by DDroney on Sep 19, 2009 7:46 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

His numbers in 2005 and 2006 are also indicative of an ability to hit at a high level

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

by PaulThomas on Sep 19, 2009 10:10 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

OK, I'll buy that, but

presumably his numbers in 2008 and 2009 also have some weight.

Question for you specifically, Paul: Which of the following do you think Buck projects to hit better than in 2010: Sweeney, Hairston, Cunningham.

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

by iglew on Sep 20, 2009 1:34 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Hairson and Cunningham I think.

Sweeney, maybe.

They call their best player "Kung Fu Panda" and they complain that people aren’t taking them or the game seriously enough? -Nick

by mikev on Sep 20, 2009 10:03 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

As far as

“what the projection systems will say,” he’ll be projected worse than Sweeney and Hairston definitely, and probably about the same as Cunningham at “not very good.”

With stout hearts, and with enthusiasm for the contest, let us go forward to victory. ----Hero Defector Montgomery

by mikeA on Sep 20, 2009 10:29 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'm sure.

They call their best player "Kung Fu Panda" and they complain that people aren’t taking them or the game seriously enough? -Nick

by mikev on Sep 20, 2009 10:35 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Did a little math...

Very roughly, most of the projections do a 3 year weighted average with an age adjustment. I took the last 3 years of these guys with 07/08/09 as .8/1/1.2, and gave Sweeney and Buck +10 ops points for age, Cunningham +15, and Hairston -10 (just made those up; not sure what good age adjustments would be.) Also gave Hairston -10 for SD vs. Oak.
cunningham: .623/.727/.690: w/ adjustment= ~.700
sweeney: 600; 735; 746: w/ adjustment = ~.720
buck: .850; 685; 635: w/ adjustment= ~.725
hairston: .759; .791; 765: w/adjustmentts= ~.750

not sure what these are worth, but they look reasonable enough to me.

With stout hearts, and with enthusiasm for the contest, let us go forward to victory. ----Hero Defector Montgomery

by mikeA on Sep 20, 2009 11:04 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

That's just hitting, right?

So when you factor in defense, probably Sweeney looks slightly better than Buck.

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

by iglew on Sep 20, 2009 12:10 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

well, Buck also has excellent defensive numbers, but Sweeney is probably better

I think Buck is maybe a bit faster.

With stout hearts, and with enthusiasm for the contest, let us go forward to victory. ----Hero Defector Montgomery

by mikeA on Sep 20, 2009 12:32 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Oh, I'm not saying he's definitely a better option than the guys already out there

maybe not even PROBABLY a better option. He hasn’t been doing much lately, that’s for sure. I think his extreme injury-proneness has just stuck his career in neutral.

I’m just answering your question. There is data other than 2007-2009 which is relevant.

by PaulThomas on Sep 20, 2009 11:19 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs