Brett Throws Shining Gem, Felix Throws Shinier Gem
by danmerqury on Aug 10, 2010 9:52 PM PDT
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PrintQuick! What happens when you throw two front-line aces in a room with two of the worst offenses in the league?
7.0 IP, 5 H, 1 R, 2 BB, 7 K
8.0 IP, 5 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 13 K
Aside from one mistaken fastball to Casey Kotchman, both pitchers were simply magnificent tonight, carving up hitters with ease. For a duel like this, it just comes down to which pitcher will break first. That was Anderson, and unfortunately, Felix and the A's offense left him absolutely no margin for error.
I don't blame the A's offense that much, though. Make no mistake—Felix Hernandez was phenomenal tonight. All of his pitches had fantastic movement with pinpoint location. What else can you really do? Aside from a rather frustrating first inning bases loaded situation that ended in failure, the A's had no chance against Hernandez.
Chris Carter watch: 0 for 3 with 2 strikeouts. That's not so much a mark on Carter as a testament to how well Felix was throwing tonight.
Current Series
Mariners lead the series 2-0
| Mon 08/09 | WP: Doug Fister (4 - 8) SV: David Aardsma LP: Vin Mazzaro (6 - 4) |
1 - 3 loss |
| Tue 08/10 | WP: Felix Hernandez (8 - 9) SV: David Aardsma LP: Brett Anderson (3 - 3) |
0 - 2 loss |
|
Oakland Athletics Wednesday, Aug 11, 2010, 12:40 PM PDT Sunny. Winds blowing from left to right field at 5-10 m.p.h. Game time temperature around 75. |
||
430 comments
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In other words,
it wouldn’t be that painful to “tip your hat” tonight if you didn’t have repetitive stress injury.
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
I won't tell you what I'm icing.
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
What a pane.
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
wow
I hate myself for laughing at this exchange.
You have to include smiley faces - Poppy
;- ) :- ) :-O : -> : -] : -}
Our offense sucks
I can't see, now I have to pee, and I can't count to three, but I can count to JÄGERMEISTER!
We'll trade him for AJ Burnett after A-Rod converts to DH.
Then Burnett will have an awesome year with Oakland before telling everyone how much he hates California. Then we’ll trade him for Terrence Long’s nephew.
I hate Bob Geren and his peanut brain so much -- lenscrafters
by WaddellCanseco on Aug 11, 2010 10:21 AM PDT up reply actions
dont forget that izzy came over in that deal
hes making a comeback with the reds, so maybe we can get him thrown in too.
Izzy came over for Billy Taylor
and brought Greg McMichael with him. I guess we could trade Ziegler for Izzy’s nephew.
I hate Bob Geren and his peanut brain so much -- lenscrafters
by WaddellCanseco on Aug 11, 2010 10:37 AM PDT up reply actions
I hope Geren doesn’t bench Carter tomorrow. We’re facing a LHP in the daylight.
The Ultimate Opportunist
by Rated-R Superstar on Aug 10, 2010 9:57 PM PDT reply actions
Sounds like a job for Gabe Gross!
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
about kouzmanoff
serious question…do we keep him next year? i mean, i know he plays good defense, and is an okay hitter, but i think we have the option of bringing him back at over $4m for next year or dumping him. he’s almost certainly not worth the money, but can we find a replacement somewhere who can give us close to what kouz does (maybe minus the untimely hitting)?
Hannahan played better defense and reached base more often
I don’t understand why Kouz doesn’t play defense a full step farther to his left. Not that this would help him OBP above .300.
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
right
i get the drop off in kouz’s power numbers…sort of (okay, not really, since petco isn’t hitter-friendly, either), but the OBP is pretty terrible.
by guy incognito on Aug 10, 2010 10:12 PM PDT up reply actions
The OBP is his standard M.O., unfortunately
I’m actually surprised he hasn’t hit for a bit more power. I was expecting 22 HRs or so, with a .300ish OBP.
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
The park has to hurt his HRs.
I hate Bob Geren and his peanut brain so much -- lenscrafters
by WaddellCanseco on Aug 10, 2010 10:14 PM PDT up reply actions
More than Petco?
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
Yes. statcorner has the RH HR factor for Oakland at 74 and Petco at 92
Petco is much tougher on lefties than righties, which makes Adrian Gonzalez a lot better than his OPS+ and wOBA and wRC+ numbers make him seem. And those all make him seem awesome.
I hate Bob Geren and his peanut brain so much -- lenscrafters
by WaddellCanseco on Aug 10, 2010 10:20 PM PDT up reply actions
He is somewhat Zeuslike.
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
we should trade for him
then find a way to screw him up as a hitter.
by guy incognito on Aug 10, 2010 10:23 PM PDT up reply actions
I hear Van Burkleo's available
I hate Bob Geren and his peanut brain so much -- lenscrafters
by WaddellCanseco on Aug 10, 2010 10:25 PM PDT up reply actions
What's bummerish is that on the road,
Kouz is hitting .245/.284/.394. One might have hoped for a bit more away from the Coliseum.
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
He does have 6 road HR. He could end up with 9.
If he played in a better home park for him, your 22 would be doable. Of course all his other numbers are terrible.
I hate Bob Geren and his peanut brain so much -- lenscrafters
by WaddellCanseco on Aug 10, 2010 10:27 PM PDT up reply actions
Yeah, he's not completely without power
I see him basically as a good “RBI guy” — which makes him pretty much Emil Brown as a hitter.
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
which is not worth $4.5m
i expect a .265/.300/.710 line from him this year. that’s simply average. i’d rather give larish those ABs for much less money, and use the saved cash to get a good hitter.
by guy incognito on Aug 10, 2010 10:33 PM PDT up reply actions
This is where I raise the spectre of Carl Crawford
I hate Bob Geren and his peanut brain so much -- lenscrafters
by WaddellCanseco on Aug 10, 2010 10:38 PM PDT up reply actions
The name just makes me excited and sad at the same time
Excited that we could actually join the sweepstakes, sad that we won’t get him
AN: Where you will be an A's fan or Dallas Braden will show you the repercussions of your actions.
by stranahanahan on Aug 10, 2010 10:41 PM PDT up reply actions
I refuse to be sad until we actually don't get him
I hate Bob Geren and his peanut brain so much -- lenscrafters
by WaddellCanseco on Aug 10, 2010 10:45 PM PDT up reply actions
Your optimism the last few days
Definitely an uplifter round here!
AN: Where you will be an A's fan or Dallas Braden will show you the repercussions of your actions.
by stranahanahan on Aug 10, 2010 10:46 PM PDT up reply actions
I figure if I say it often enough. I'll raise everyone's hopes
and I won’t be the only one frustrated when he signs with the Angels.
I hate Bob Geren and his peanut brain so much -- lenscrafters
by WaddellCanseco on Aug 11, 2010 10:22 AM PDT up reply actions
Emil
I was trying to remember his DFA name.
Still, I could never play major league baseball, so what can I say?
Rooting for the Yankees is like cheering the tanks at Tianamen Square.
I think his ability to hit the fastball has been screwed up by playing home games at Coors
Oh, wait, wrong thread.
"And Julio Franco is batting right-handed!" -- Wayne Hagin, A's radio play-by-play, mid-80s
at this rate, he'll be lucky to hit 15
very disappointed with him. i was hoping he’d OPS around .750. that ’ain’t happening.
by guy incognito on Aug 10, 2010 10:21 PM PDT up reply actions
true, Hanny had a great glove
but, SIGH, getting on base isn’t our problem. With this lineup, a guy’s OBP seems eerily similar to the rate at which he’s stranded
Over their careers, Hannahan's OBP is .004 higher than Kouzmanoff's. Meanwhile, Kouz's SLG is .080 higher.
Their defense is pretty comparable, according to UZR.
I’ll take Kouzmanoff.
If they're that close and Kouzmanoff costs $4M more, I'll take Hannahan.
Save the multi-million dollar contracts for good players
I hate Bob Geren and his peanut brain so much -- lenscrafters
by WaddellCanseco on Aug 10, 2010 11:36 PM PDT up reply actions
I don't think you understand that Kouzmanoff is a good player.
If Kouzmanoff’s season ended right now, he would be a league average player with exactly 2.0 WAR. But it’s not over and he’ll be able to continue to accumulate defensive value which should put him on pace for about 2.7 WAR, which is what he’s done the last two years, and which is an above average player.
Do you remember how hard it has been the past few years trying to find a bearable third baseman? Why do you want to go back to Hannahan?
I'd take a shot at Beltre, personally
But that doesn’t mean he’ll sign anyway. And after Kouz our 3B depth is basically “maybe Cardenas someday” and “suck.”
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
agreed about our system
which is why i don’t understand why we kept cadrenas in AA for so long. again, i don’t know that we’ll get somebody as good as kouz, but he’s not that good, and i suspect we could get almost the same production out of a very cheap player.
by guy incognito on Aug 10, 2010 10:10 PM PDT up reply actions
Cardenas went 2 for 4 tonight.
Buck was 3 for 4 with two doubles. Taylor 0 for 4 with 3 Ks.
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
Great
My concern:
Carter is Dave Kingman without the actual home runs (but a much more pleasant personality).
Taylor is a bust.
And then the team is pretty much screwed, even if Cardenas turns out to be good. It won’t matter how good our starters are, because we will never score enough for it to matter.
Carter actually isn't very similar to Kingman in profile
Carter is patient and hits for some average, whereas Kingman did neither. Keep remembering Gio Gonzalez last season. Then remember Gio this season. You’ll feel better.
I’m very concerned about Taylor, though.
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
I'm not at all concerned about Taylor. I've written him off.
I hate Bob Geren and his peanut brain so much -- lenscrafters
by WaddellCanseco on Aug 10, 2010 10:18 PM PDT up reply actions
Two games
In his first game, Carter looked extraordinary nervous and eager to swing at everything. And he admitted as much after the game. That’s understandable.
I only saw his last-bat in the second game, but I am not going to be too critical of any rookie who can’t hit Felix.
So it’s very premature to say much. I would just like to see something, aside from his pleasant demeanor, that gets me excited. The Gio comparison is difficult, because he always showed flashes of brilliance. I haven’t seen brilliance from Carter yet, only a guy who can’t hit a breaking ball and will see nothing but breaking balls until he learns.
As for Taylor, I’m glad that I am not seeing him. His numbers are very discouraging. Maybe he’s just having a crappy season, but he is starting to get awfully old to be considered a serious prospect.
As much as we knock Carter for knock being able to hit breaking balls
I really think it’s ridiculous unless you’ve actually had a chance to watch him A LOT outside of the last 2 games.
Seriously, I know we’re skeptical, but it’s ridiculous how everyone is using hearsay as if it’s fact.
AN: Where you will be an A's fan or Dallas Braden will show you the repercussions of your actions.
by stranahanahan on Aug 10, 2010 10:27 PM PDT up reply actions
In subject line, 2nd knock should be not*
AN: Where you will be an A's fan or Dallas Braden will show you the repercussions of your actions.
by stranahanahan on Aug 10, 2010 10:27 PM PDT up reply actions
If we don't use hearsay as fact then we'd have to do independent fact checking
That would take effort. Out of the question.
I hate Bob Geren and his peanut brain so much -- lenscrafters
by WaddellCanseco on Aug 10, 2010 10:29 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
I prefer to go straight to heresy.
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
Yes, that's much more efficient.
That stake can get a bit hot though.
I hate Bob Geren and his peanut brain so much -- lenscrafters
by WaddellCanseco on Aug 10, 2010 10:34 PM PDT up reply actions
Carter has shown flashes of brilliance
Just not in a two-game “I’m nervous as hell and now I’m facing King Felix” sample. I would have sat him tonight and let him face Luke French, a LHP, for his second game, but no matter — starting tomorrow you’ll see a guy who isn’t in his major league debut and isn’t facing one of the world’s elite pitchers.
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
I'm not convinced Luke French won't be one of the world's elite pitchers tomorrow
I hate Bob Geren and his peanut brain so much -- lenscrafters
by WaddellCanseco on Aug 10, 2010 10:30 PM PDT up reply actions
Name sounds International...
AN: Where you will be an A's fan or Dallas Braden will show you the repercussions of your actions.
by stranahanahan on Aug 10, 2010 10:31 PM PDT up reply actions
well, i bet we have RISP against him
now, actually driving them in, that’s a different story
by guy incognito on Aug 10, 2010 10:31 PM PDT up reply actions
That's very reasonable
and I conceded the point myself.
I think the trouble is that I am very anxious for Carter to be good. He obviously is going to strike out a lot, and he’s better against lefties, and he’s not the first power hitting to struggle against big league curveballs.
We’ll start getting a better idea about him tomorrow.
At least he's looked perfectly passable in LF
I’m grasping at straws, but that is good!
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
Yes it is good. He's better than Cust, which encourages me.
He even looks better than Cunningham did.
I hate Bob Geren and his peanut brain so much -- lenscrafters
by WaddellCanseco on Aug 10, 2010 10:36 PM PDT up reply actions
Hey, it could be important
Let’s say Carter turns into something everyone is hoping for – within bounds of reason: A power hitter who may struggle to hit for average as a rookie but who mashes mistakes (and lefties).
If he can play left field, Carter is suddenly a lot more valuable. That way, you’re not wasting a DH spot on a young guy and depriving the team of the ability to get another hitter or keep Cust. And you avoid the whole Barton issue.
Yes, yes yes
This
AN: Where you will be an A's fan or Dallas Braden will show you the repercussions of your actions.
by stranahanahan on Aug 10, 2010 10:39 PM PDT up reply actions
Also, Kingman without the attitude
is a bit like, I dunno, Duke or Chavvy without the injury problems. Kingman really did have HOF talent, but basically just didn’t give a crap. Never seemed to try to improve his game; was a real PITA in the clubhouse; did nothing with his natural defensive gifts.
And I want to second what Nico said: if you wanted to put Carter up against a pitcher who would best exploit his weaknesses, you’d pick King Felix. That goes for a lot of hitters, frankly, but Carter has never faced anyone remotely that good, unless some AAA or AA guy had some fluky superstar game against Midland or Sacto, and breaking stuff from RHs has always been the thing that gives him the most trouble. I very much doubt that the A’s would have brought him up to face Fister and Hernandez in his first 2 games if it hadn’t been for the Watson and Barton injuries.
But from all reports, he’s not the kind of guy who’ll get too down on himself about this. He struggles, he adjusts, he figures out how to succeed. How high his ceiling is in the majors remains to be seen.
"And Julio Franco is batting right-handed!" -- Wayne Hagin, A's radio play-by-play, mid-80s
Not in the first game, though
I haven’t seen the one last night yet, but the first putout in the first game did not look under control at all. With corner outfielders, there are two plays that quickly show how ready they are and one of them is a ball slicing or hooking hard towards the foul line.
Carter made that play on his physical ability, long arms and luck, but not because he correctly read the ball. Having played that little OF I don’t think one should expect more, but he is still very much a work in progress there and will be exposed if he gets some tougher chances in the corner.
"Be more concerned with your character than your reputation, because your character is what you really are, while your reputation is merely what others think you are."
– John Wooden
He looks passable
but does anyone else notice this…and I’ve watched Carter’s OF games in Sac…his approaches to the ball, his positioning, etc – he looks like Jose Canseco out there circa 86/87.
Which honestly isn’t a bad thing, because Jose started off a little better than passable.
It’s just odd, is all.
Yes, he even said he wanted to be a CF. Ha.
I hate Bob Geren and his peanut brain so much -- lenscrafters
by WaddellCanseco on Aug 11, 2010 9:15 AM PDT up reply actions
Remember Mays
Seems to me I heard that a rookie player named Willie Mays didn’t get a hit for 2 weeks, and had to be consoled by his manager. Carter is no Mays, of course, but it’s a little early to give up on him. In fact, because of the way things are in baseball and the way our team is managed, I don’t think we should give up on anybody! Taylor? Carson? Cardenas? Hey—-we can’t afford to not give anybody a shot. That’s just the way things are.
"It's a cookbook!"---The Twilight Zone
Season's over
DFA Cust
DH Carter
Recall Buck
I think Carter’s nervousness in LF may be influencing his hitting (or lack of)
They D'edFA Cust and recalled Buck twice already
Buck can’t stay healthy and Cust won’t leave. Your suggestion is futile.
I hate Bob Geren and his peanut brain so much -- lenscrafters
by WaddellCanseco on Aug 10, 2010 10:19 PM PDT up reply actions
They should try DFAing Buck and recalling Cust
Just to mix things up. Maybe call up a Matt.
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
His OBP is still .400.
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
After the power surge
Then its Old Jack Cust who swings for a homerun. Last 10 games he look like chicken stanley.
So has Carl Crawford, Justin Upton, etc.
Ten games worth of stats doesn’t mean anything for a player unless that stat is how many limbs were amputated per the past ten games.
Wrong
"Their batters are patient to the point that it's annoying." -Ryan Franklin
by Helloooo 1st on Aug 10, 2010 10:45 PM PDT up reply actions
Whatever limitations Cust might have
Right now he’s the best hitter on the team.
I really hate Cust. But he’s the best hitter on the team.
That's very odd
On an offensively dead team you hate the one player who is actually a good hitter on any team.
"Their batters are patient to the point that it's annoying." -Ryan Franklin
by Helloooo 1st on Aug 10, 2010 10:55 PM PDT up reply actions
No, it's not odd
Baseball likes and dislikes aren’t always rational. I really hated Cust and his strikeouts last year. This year, he’s a much better hitter but it’s hard to get over those old feelings.
True
I wasn’t meaning to criticize or anything but I realize that’s how it came out so my bad.
You and Jack should hug it out though.
"Their batters are patient to the point that it's annoying." -Ryan Franklin
by Helloooo 1st on Aug 10, 2010 11:32 PM PDT up reply actions
{barfs quietly}
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
My dog does that. I've never encountered a quieter vomit.
I hate Bob Geren and his peanut brain so much -- lenscrafters
by WaddellCanseco on Aug 10, 2010 10:24 PM PDT up reply actions
one then become loud themselves upon stepping in the silent puke.
alaska A currently residing in northern Idaho. --- theme for august = sweep or click.
They should DFA all their crappy players,
then bring up more crappy players, then DFA those guys, and keep doing it until there’s no one left, just so we can make a point about how even if this team is crap doesn’t mean you get to come play like crap for us, not for more than two crappy weeks anyway. Maybe this will motivate guys not to suck in the future.
This is basically what they're doing.
I hate Bob Geren and his peanut brain so much -- lenscrafters
by WaddellCanseco on Aug 10, 2010 10:31 PM PDT up reply actions
Oh my god!
2 games! 2 games and nervousness, really? I mean, I understand if he is nervous, but not every callup hits like Carlos Santana immediately, or plays guitar like him!
AN: Where you will be an A's fan or Dallas Braden will show you the repercussions of your actions.
by stranahanahan on Aug 10, 2010 10:28 PM PDT up reply actions
Someone made the point on the CT show last night
That Pedro Alvarez was terrible in his first two weeks. I looked it up: 51 PAs, 22 K, 7 H in June. Much better in July and August (.370 and .448 wOBA, respectively). Carter doesn’t have to JP Arencibia it to still be a good player in a few weeks.
"Do I talk to myself? No, I just remind myself of what I'm trying to do. You know, I never answer myself so how can I be talking to myself?" - Rickey
Athletics Nation - WE'RE ALL GONNA MRIIIIIIIIIIIII!!!!!
by cuppingmaster on Aug 11, 2010 7:50 AM PDT up reply actions
probably
Unless we try Cardenas at 3B next year. I don’t see why not. In any other lineup he would be batting 6th, or even 7th…and not be asked to be so productive…
Byron
by DoomandGloom on Aug 10, 2010 10:08 PM PDT up reply actions
I don't get the Cardenas love. He's a bad fielder who couldn't hit at AAA.
I hate Bob Geren and his peanut brain so much -- lenscrafters
by WaddellCanseco on Aug 10, 2010 10:14 PM PDT up reply actions
He’s 22 and hasn’t had a full season at Sacramento yet.
The Ultimate Opportunist
by Rated-R Superstar on Aug 10, 2010 10:15 PM PDT up reply actions
So how's he going to be ready for Oakland in 2011?
I hate Bob Geren and his peanut brain so much -- lenscrafters
by WaddellCanseco on Aug 10, 2010 10:16 PM PDT up reply actions
He is not.
The Ultimate Opportunist
by Rated-R Superstar on Aug 10, 2010 10:16 PM PDT up reply actions
playing him in AAA all year could have helped
i don’t get why he spent so much time in midland. he historically struggles at a level at first – it would have been better for him to take his lumps in AAA earlier in the season.
by guy incognito on Aug 10, 2010 10:18 PM PDT up reply actions
He took so many lumps in AAA they felt sorry for him and sent him to Midland
How many lumps can a man take?
I hate Bob Geren and his peanut brain so much -- lenscrafters
by WaddellCanseco on Aug 10, 2010 10:22 PM PDT up reply actions
at least 250 ABs worth
cadrenas has always done this – suck for a while at a new level, before tearing things up.
by guy incognito on Aug 10, 2010 10:36 PM PDT up reply actions
OK, then it's mid-2011 at the earliest.
There’s also the matter of the terrible fielding.
I hate Bob Geren and his peanut brain so much -- lenscrafters
by WaddellCanseco on Aug 10, 2010 10:37 PM PDT up reply actions
I've never heard of this terrible fielding
I might’ve missed it but everything I’ve seen/heard has him as perfectly passable in the field.
Plus, he’s still learning 3B and could very well improve over the coming months.
"Their batters are patient to the point that it's annoying." -Ryan Franklin
by Helloooo 1st on Aug 10, 2010 10:48 PM PDT up reply actions
They moved him to 3B because he had trouble at 2B
CHONE has him projected at -8 runs at 2B. BA says he has the tools (hands and arm) to play 3B. He’s got to learn the position.
I hate Bob Geren and his peanut brain so much -- lenscrafters
by WaddellCanseco on Aug 10, 2010 10:52 PM PDT up reply actions
Isn't CHONE generally pretty conservative with rookies on both Offense AND defense?
AN: Where you will be an A's fan or Dallas Braden will show you the repercussions of your actions.
by stranahanahan on Aug 10, 2010 10:54 PM PDT up reply actions
Sogard: -2, Weeks: -3; Chen: -1, Tolleson: -7; Affronti, -3
Yes, they seem to be conservative, but Cardenas is the worst of this bunch
I hate Bob Geren and his peanut brain so much -- lenscrafters
by WaddellCanseco on Aug 10, 2010 11:00 PM PDT up reply actions
Ok, good to know
Also, nice to see they aren’t as down on Sogard as I’ve heard some are
AN: Where you will be an A's fan or Dallas Braden will show you the repercussions of your actions.
by stranahanahan on Aug 10, 2010 11:02 PM PDT up reply actions
Sogard's got to hit a lot better before he's any more
than Kevin Melillo
I hate Bob Geren and his peanut brain so much -- lenscrafters
by WaddellCanseco on Aug 10, 2010 11:06 PM PDT up reply actions
I agree
But he’s to me what Denorfia was to PT.
And lo and behold, good ole Chris has held his own with SD this year
AN: Where you will be an A's fan or Dallas Braden will show you the repercussions of your actions.
by stranahanahan on Aug 10, 2010 11:09 PM PDT up reply actions
Meh
He’s put together a nice little year, but I think if he keeps playing so much, he’ll be exposed.
Keep in mind, of course, that "the best defense of Derek Jeter's life" ranks somewhere in between "the best fiscal responsibility of Mike Tyson's life" and "the best not-getting-assassinated-ness of James Garfield's life." -FJM
Why? Will his pants fall down?
I hate Bob Geren and his peanut brain so much -- lenscrafters
by WaddellCanseco on Aug 10, 2010 11:37 PM PDT up reply actions
At least his socks will still be high
"Their batters are patient to the point that it's annoying." -Ryan Franklin
by Helloooo 1st on Aug 10, 2010 11:38 PM PDT up reply actions
all reasons why it made no sense to demote him so early
big mistake on the organization’s part.
by guy incognito on Aug 11, 2010 1:48 AM PDT up reply actions
They weren't nearly as patient with Cardenas as they have been with others
And considering he was learning a new position, they either brought him down to learn it at a lower level or they didn’t give him the benefit of the doubt
AN: Where you will be an A's fan or Dallas Braden will show you the repercussions of your actions.
by stranahanahan on Aug 10, 2010 10:38 PM PDT up reply actions
Cardenas
His thumb injury (tendon?) really set him back this season. These types of injuries can really break a season. If not for the thumb injury, I think he would have stuck in AAA.
by Colorado Fan on Aug 10, 2010 11:38 PM PDT up reply actions
Very good point on the injury
"And Julio Franco is batting right-handed!" -- Wayne Hagin, A's radio play-by-play, mid-80s
i agree
and the a’s screwed up by starting him straight back at aaa. he shouldve had 15-20 games in the cal league to get his stroke back before heading to sac.
my biggest concern is that the power just isnt coming. so best case hell have sweeney’s bat with average 3b defense. thats a nice player but leaves little margin for error.
if he OBPs .330 instead of .350, hes not starting caliber. if hes below average defensively instead of average, hes not starting caliber…
That's basically how I see him. The best case for me is Howie
Kendrick, and that’s not all that great.
I hate Bob Geren and his peanut brain so much -- lenscrafters
by WaddellCanseco on Aug 11, 2010 11:31 AM PDT up reply actions
But I'd much rather have a hitter like that on the IF
Than at a Corner OF spot. Besides, Cardenas has hit 40 2B in a season before, he does have gap power.
AN: Where you will be an A's fan or Dallas Braden will show you the repercussions of your actions.
by stranahanahan on Aug 11, 2010 11:42 AM PDT up reply actions
Right. Sticking at 3B is massively important for him.
I hate Bob Geren and his peanut brain so much -- lenscrafters
by WaddellCanseco on Aug 11, 2010 11:56 AM PDT up reply actions
Cardenas seems to have maintained higher BB rates and better K:BB at equivalent levels of the minors
than Kendrick. Kendrick had basically a 3:1 K:BB rate in the minors. Cardenas’s is more like 4:3. Even with his struggles at AAA, he’s gone 48:26, whereas Kendrick in AAA was 70:20.
"And Julio Franco is batting right-handed!" -- Wayne Hagin, A's radio play-by-play, mid-80s
That's true. He can walk better than Kendrick.
Then his OBP should be more than .350. If he can manage a .370 OBP and average defense at 3B that’s a clearly better player than Kendrick.
I hate Bob Geren and his peanut brain so much -- lenscrafters
by WaddellCanseco on Aug 11, 2010 11:56 AM PDT up reply actions
That would be a very useful player for the A's right there
Cardenas OBAing .370 = new leadoff hitter. Him and Barton at the top of the order would mean lots and lots of baserunners, lots of high pitch counts for opposing starters.
"And Julio Franco is batting right-handed!" -- Wayne Hagin, A's radio play-by-play, mid-80s
He very well could though
AN: Where you will be an A's fan or Dallas Braden will show you the repercussions of your actions.
by stranahanahan on Aug 10, 2010 10:31 PM PDT up reply actions
May-June 2011 perhaps
He’s actually a guy worth preserving the extra year of service time, because he probably could use the extra month or two acclimating to AAA.
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
Agreed
Therefore, if we have to use Rosales at 3rd for 2 months, so be it. I’m fine with that choice.
Hell, he has more pop than Kouz at this point
AN: Where you will be an A's fan or Dallas Braden will show you the repercussions of your actions.
by stranahanahan on Aug 10, 2010 10:35 PM PDT up reply actions
How is Rosales going to be at 3B, if he's the new 2B?
I hate Bob Geren and his peanut brain so much -- lenscrafters
by WaddellCanseco on Aug 10, 2010 10:37 PM PDT up reply actions
Why?
I hate Bob Geren and his peanut brain so much -- lenscrafters
by WaddellCanseco on Aug 10, 2010 10:39 PM PDT up reply actions
You're absolutely right
And as I’ve said before, if Beane wasn’t going to exercise his option, he would’ve been gone at the deadline
AN: Where you will be an A's fan or Dallas Braden will show you the repercussions of your actions.
by stranahanahan on Aug 10, 2010 10:40 PM PDT up reply actions
Precisely
A lot of teams could have used Ellis this season. Rosy could have gotten his chance like Penny did last season, but nope.
Which teams could have used Ellis?
He’s been terrible.
I hate Bob Geren and his peanut brain so much -- lenscrafters
by WaddellCanseco on Aug 10, 2010 10:45 PM PDT up reply actions
He didn't look as bad around the deadline
LA, SF, there were quite a few teams with IF issues
AN: Where you will be an A's fan or Dallas Braden will show you the repercussions of your actions.
by stranahanahan on Aug 10, 2010 10:49 PM PDT up reply actions
Well I'd rather have him than an A-ball reliever
for 2010, but I don’t want his salary to prevent us from getting a real outfield in 2011. He’s no better than Rosales and a lot more expensive.
I hate Bob Geren and his peanut brain so much -- lenscrafters
by WaddellCanseco on Aug 10, 2010 10:54 PM PDT up reply actions
That's what scares me the most
That his salary, if exercised, could prevent us from giving a FA a great offer, or from making a trade for a higher priced guy (who’s worth it), I know that they’ll have to decide on the option early in the offseason, I just hope they put some good thought into how it could potentially effect the rest of the winter
AN: Where you will be an A's fan or Dallas Braden will show you the repercussions of your actions.
by stranahanahan on Aug 10, 2010 10:56 PM PDT up reply actions
If we're going to whine about being small budget
then we should use that budget on good players and be cheap with the mediocre ones, not the vice versa thing we’ve been doing.
I hate Bob Geren and his peanut brain so much -- lenscrafters
by WaddellCanseco on Aug 10, 2010 10:58 PM PDT up reply actions
Right there with you
AN: Where you will be an A's fan or Dallas Braden will show you the repercussions of your actions.
by stranahanahan on Aug 10, 2010 11:01 PM PDT up reply actions
i hope the option isnt even a consideration
ellis certainly wont get that much on the open market. if the a’s decide to keep him, they should just decline the option and offer him $3M.
Only if that $3M doesn't prevent us from getting a 5 WAR OF
I mean 1 outfielder, not three that add up to 5 WAR
I hate Bob Geren and his peanut brain so much -- lenscrafters
by WaddellCanseco on Aug 11, 2010 11:33 AM PDT up reply actions
How would it prevent the A's from getting a 5 WAR outfielder?
Even if the bank account was literally empty after signing Crawford, they could take out a loan…
Arthur Dent: You know, it's at times like this, when I'm trapped in a Vogon airlock with a man from Betelgeuse and about to die of asphyxiation in deep space, that I really wish I'd listened to what my mother told me when I was young.
Ford Prefect: Why, what did she tell you?
Arthur Dent: I don't know, I didn't listen!
And to some extent I understand
Even in another injury riddled season, he’s still at a 3.1 UZR/150. And I really think there’s no way his .291 wOBA means that his bat is that bad.
I could see, if, IF, he is healthy next year, both those numbers going up. I think that’s Beane’s hope. As much as I don’t like dropping $5m on that risk, but…
AN: Where you will be an A's fan or Dallas Braden will show you the repercussions of your actions.
by stranahanahan on Aug 10, 2010 10:45 PM PDT up reply actions
Why would he be any healthier or better next year?
I hate Bob Geren and his peanut brain so much -- lenscrafters
by WaddellCanseco on Aug 10, 2010 10:47 PM PDT up reply actions
I don't think he will
But I think Beane does.
There’s a sense of internal optimist in him with his favorite guys, a la Chavez…
AN: Where you will be an A's fan or Dallas Braden will show you the repercussions of your actions.
by stranahanahan on Aug 10, 2010 10:48 PM PDT up reply actions
He was cold and calculating with Mulder
Why can’t he do that with Ellis.
I hate Bob Geren and his peanut brain so much -- lenscrafters
by WaddellCanseco on Aug 10, 2010 10:49 PM PDT up reply actions
Because he didn't trade him
Too late. Maybe he tried and couldn’t get anything. Maybe he won’t pick up the option.
Ellis is still valuable with the glove. Even with several lower body issues he’s still a + in UZR, that’s pretty impressive
AN: Where you will be an A's fan or Dallas Braden will show you the repercussions of your actions.
by stranahanahan on Aug 10, 2010 10:50 PM PDT up reply actions
Ellis
I like him, a veteran presence on what is otherwise a very young team. He’s also, for a fan, a guy I’ve watched for years who wants to be here.
I get that he’s lost range over the years. Even I have seen that. But I don’t really see Rosales as much of an upgrade.
Now I’ll be happy to change my mind if Cardenas is ready in the middle of next season and can’t play third. But until then, my guess is that Ellis is the team’s best option to start next season.
This is why I hate veterans.
No matter how much they suck, some guy will say “Aw he’s so cute and old, and I’m used to him. Let’s give him another chance.”
I hate Bob Geren and his peanut brain so much -- lenscrafters
by WaddellCanseco on Aug 10, 2010 10:48 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
Give me a better option
and I’ll drop the sentimentality.
All I know of as the options are Rosales, who is valuable as a jack-of-all-trades and who hasn’t shown signs of being better than Ellis at second base.
There’s nobody else.
Rosales is no worse than Ellis and is a lot cheaper
Let’s save the multi-million dollar contracts for good players and stop whining about how we can’t afford any.
I hate Bob Geren and his peanut brain so much -- lenscrafters
by WaddellCanseco on Aug 10, 2010 10:55 PM PDT up reply actions
Trading for Uggla
Weeks possibly coming alive at the end here and being ready for next year, Rosales, Cardenas, Orlando Hudson at the same price as Ellis’ option, trade for another guy, Sogard if need be.
There are options
AN: Where you will be an A's fan or Dallas Braden will show you the repercussions of your actions.
by stranahanahan on Aug 10, 2010 10:57 PM PDT up reply actions
Off-season decisions
If the A’s can find a better second baseman in the offseason, I’m all for it.
I just don’t see the point of dumping Ellis for some C-level prospect right now just so Rosales can play second base all of the time (as opposed to playing several positions).
As long as not trading him in July
doesn’t mean we have to pick up the option I’m not going to worry about it
I hate Bob Geren and his peanut brain so much -- lenscrafters
by WaddellCanseco on Aug 10, 2010 11:02 PM PDT up reply actions
How soon could Baisley be ready? Some time in 2011?
That doesn’t help at the start of the year, but he could be another option.
"And Julio Franco is batting right-handed!" -- Wayne Hagin, A's radio play-by-play, mid-80s
Jeff Baisley?
Doesn’t he suck? Isn’t he like….my age?
I hate Bob Geren and his peanut brain so much -- lenscrafters
by WaddellCanseco on Aug 11, 2010 10:19 AM PDT up reply actions
You know, for some reason I thought Baisley was 25 or 26
Turns out he’s 28. Which means he’s basically Watson or Carson.
My bad.
"And Julio Franco is batting right-handed!" -- Wayne Hagin, A's radio play-by-play, mid-80s
It's cool that you think I'm 28
I hate Bob Geren and his peanut brain so much -- lenscrafters
by WaddellCanseco on Aug 11, 2010 10:22 AM PDT up reply actions
Hexadecimal notation?
"Be more concerned with your character than your reputation, because your character is what you really are, while your reputation is merely what others think you are."
– John Wooden
That would still be awesome.
I hate Bob Geren and his peanut brain so much -- lenscrafters
by WaddellCanseco on Aug 11, 2010 10:35 AM PDT up reply actions
If Kouzmanoff was an okay hitter, he wouldn’t be 10th on the team in wOBA. We may not have a choice but to keep him around in a starting capacity in 2011, though.
The Ultimate Opportunist
by Rated-R Superstar on Aug 10, 2010 10:09 PM PDT up reply actions
10th on the team in wOBA
Even on a solid offense you can find someone else.
I’ll take the struggles of Cardenas or Larish over him now.
AN: Where you will be an A's fan or Dallas Braden will show you the repercussions of your actions.
by stranahanahan on Aug 10, 2010 10:30 PM PDT up reply actions
He's actually 9th
according to FanGraphs. He’s 11th if you count Travis Buck and Conor Jackson, which you shouldn’t because they’ve played 25 games combined in A’s uniforms. I don’t see why it’s so difficult to grasp that Kouzmanoff’s value comes from his defense.
It's not difficult to grasp
It is difficult to understand why he’s consistently hitting 4th, 5th, or 6th in the lineup, even as bad as it is.
AN: Where you will be an A's fan or Dallas Braden will show you the repercussions of your actions.
by stranahanahan on Aug 10, 2010 11:28 PM PDT up reply actions
Because he has "power"
"Their batters are patient to the point that it's annoying." -Ryan Franklin
by Helloooo 1st on Aug 10, 2010 11:32 PM PDT up reply actions
It sounds retarded but it's probably true
I hate Bob Geren and his peanut brain so much -- lenscrafters
by WaddellCanseco on Aug 10, 2010 11:38 PM PDT up reply actions
You mean it sounds Geren?
"Their batters are patient to the point that it's annoying." -Ryan Franklin
by Helloooo 1st on Aug 10, 2010 11:38 PM PDT up reply actions
Then why would you take Cardenas or Larish over him?
The fact that he’s hitting 4th, 5th, or 6th is on Geren, not Kouzmanoff.
Because a guy costing likely around $5m like him next year
should provide us with some power at the hot corner next year. If he’s worth 2.7 WAR entirely because of his defense I’d much rather have someone who’s worth the same who can actually hit the baseball…
AN: Where you will be an A's fan or Dallas Braden will show you the repercussions of your actions.
by stranahanahan on Aug 10, 2010 11:41 PM PDT up reply actions
Seriously? Because that's a terrible way to go about things.
It doesn’t matter one way or another how a player accumulates WAR, so long as he accumulates it. A run saved is the same as a run produced, but you’ll have to pay more, whether in prospects or in cash, for the offense-oriented anti-Kouzmanoff than you will to Kouzmanoff.
I don't love Kouz,
but 3B’s are hard to come by. Kouz is as good as it’s gonna get for now, and he’s not that expensive.
Keep in mind, of course, that "the best defense of Derek Jeter's life" ranks somewhere in between "the best fiscal responsibility of Mike Tyson's life" and "the best not-getting-assassinated-ness of James Garfield's life." -FJM
He'll probably be $5M or something in 2011. I can see saving that
for a better player.
I hate Bob Geren and his peanut brain so much -- lenscrafters
by WaddellCanseco on Aug 10, 2010 11:58 PM PDT up reply actions
FA 3b in 2010 include
Hank Blalock and Joe Crede. I’ll stick with Kouz.
Keep in mind, of course, that "the best defense of Derek Jeter's life" ranks somewhere in between "the best fiscal responsibility of Mike Tyson's life" and "the best not-getting-assassinated-ness of James Garfield's life." -FJM
The pennant is yours!
I hate Bob Geren and his peanut brain so much -- lenscrafters
by WaddellCanseco on Aug 11, 2010 10:18 AM PDT up reply actions
Look, I know full well that what I'm saying is ridiculous, I do.
I know Kouz is a worthwhile player, but it is so damn painful to see him become worse and worse with the bat.
I know that’s not fair, it’s just how I feel…
AN: Where you will be an A's fan or Dallas Braden will show you the repercussions of your actions.
by stranahanahan on Aug 11, 2010 12:05 AM PDT up reply actions
That depends on the options
I’m not a big Kouzmanoff fan. His defense is very pedestrian, going only by what I’ve seen. The stat folks can back that up or give a rebuttal.
He pretty much hacks at everything, and is only valuable during those rare stretches when he gets hot.
That said, he seems like a replacement level third baseman, which is better than what the A’s have had since Chavez’s injuries. Four million bucks is nothing on a team that’s going to have to spend a little money and has trouble attracting anyone good. So he stays unless there’s a better option.
His defense is very pedestrian, going only by what I’ve seen. The stat folks can back that up or give a rebuttal.
He leads all American League third basemen in UZR.
The Ultimate Opportunist
by Rated-R Superstar on Aug 10, 2010 10:12 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
Yes, but this is his first year like that. I'm not counting on it continuing, although it might.
I hate Bob Geren and his peanut brain so much -- lenscrafters
by WaddellCanseco on Aug 10, 2010 10:13 PM PDT up reply actions
Hey! You're right!
I hate Bob Geren and his peanut brain so much -- lenscrafters
by WaddellCanseco on Aug 10, 2010 11:39 PM PDT up reply actions
I'd say he's exceptional on balls to his right, ok on balls to his left,
and hasn’t thrown nearly as well as you’d expect to see from a guy who set fielding pct records a year ago.
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
He hasn't made many errors, and he's never had much range.
I hate Bob Geren and his peanut brain so much -- lenscrafters
by WaddellCanseco on Aug 10, 2010 10:16 PM PDT up reply actions
His low error total, though, has a LOT to do with Barton.
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
Barton's good, but Kouzmanoff's sure handed.
All 1B’s save errors for their infielders, even crappy ones like Giambi
I hate Bob Geren and his peanut brain so much -- lenscrafters
by WaddellCanseco on Aug 10, 2010 10:23 PM PDT up reply actions
Doesn't everyone already know this?
Whoever said it did matter?
I hate Bob Geren and his peanut brain so much -- lenscrafters
by WaddellCanseco on Aug 11, 2010 10:00 AM PDT up reply actions
His arm terrifies me
AN: Where you will be an A's fan or Dallas Braden will show you the repercussions of your actions.
by stranahanahan on Aug 10, 2010 10:32 PM PDT up reply actions
Is it that hideous?
I hate Bob Geren and his peanut brain so much -- lenscrafters
by WaddellCanseco on Aug 10, 2010 10:33 PM PDT up reply actions
But seriously
I sometimes get scared on routine grounders that he’s going to throw it in the stands.
Maybe it’s that awkward motion, but it’s not pleasing to watch
AN: Where you will be an A's fan or Dallas Braden will show you the repercussions of your actions.
by stranahanahan on Aug 10, 2010 10:34 PM PDT up reply actions
I worry more that he's having a stroke.
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
Would you agree that it's very unorthodox?
AN: Where you will be an A's fan or Dallas Braden will show you the repercussions of your actions.
by stranahanahan on Aug 10, 2010 10:36 PM PDT up reply actions
I would
But it doesn’t worry me in the slightest.
"Their batters are patient to the point that it's annoying." -Ryan Franklin
by Helloooo 1st on Aug 10, 2010 10:51 PM PDT up reply actions
kinda reminds me of david eckstein's motion
better arm though obviously
If he's really replacement level, then you can get someone similar for the minimum and save $4 million for a good player
I hate Bob Geren and his peanut brain so much -- lenscrafters
by WaddellCanseco on Aug 10, 2010 10:12 PM PDT up reply actions
Kouzzzzzz
It’s so fun to say though! LOL!
Everybody knew what we were getting. It’s wasn’t like he was going to come in and wow us.
Byron
by DoomandGloom on Aug 10, 2010 10:15 PM PDT up reply actions
He's not a replacement level player, though.
He’s been worth 2.7 WAR the last two years and is on pace to hit that this year, as well.
Yeah I'm fine with him at 3B
Unless a no-brainer option comes along.
"Their batters are patient to the point that it's annoying." -Ryan Franklin
by Helloooo 1st on Aug 10, 2010 11:21 PM PDT up reply actions
Hm.
no-brainer option
Geren?
Keep in mind, of course, that "the best defense of Derek Jeter's life" ranks somewhere in between "the best fiscal responsibility of Mike Tyson's life" and "the best not-getting-assassinated-ness of James Garfield's life." -FJM
I hear we drafted his son
"Their batters are patient to the point that it's annoying." -Ryan Franklin
by Helloooo 1st on Aug 10, 2010 11:32 PM PDT up reply actions
He is amazingly consistent. But 2.7 WAR isn't anything to get excited about, nor
pay a lot for.
I hate Bob Geren and his peanut brain so much -- lenscrafters
by WaddellCanseco on Aug 10, 2010 11:41 PM PDT up reply actions
This isn't right.
Kouzmanoff has been worth 2.7 WAR the last two years (at about ~$4M per WAR, he’ll almost certainly be worth it), and he’s wracked up 2.0 WAR so far this year, which puts him on pace to be about 2.7 WAR again.
No, he’s not a great player, but he’s been incredibly consistent over his career, and consistently above average. I don’t understand all the Kouz hate that’s happening in this thread right now. I’d rather keep him at 3B than throw way too much money at Adrian Beltre who took less money to go elsewhere last offseason. A lot of his value comes on defense, but that doesn’t mean he doesn’t have value.
+1
"Loyal? I'm the most loyal player money can buy." - Don Sutton
A 2.7 WAR player is fine as a placeholder as long as he's cheap. If he's going to start making real
money, it’s time to spend that money toward a 4+ WAR player and go cheap on the placeholders if you have to. You can always pick up a 2.7 WAR player at the deadline if you have a giant sinkhole in an otherwise contending team.
I hate Bob Geren and his peanut brain so much -- lenscrafters
by WaddellCanseco on Aug 10, 2010 11:42 PM PDT up reply actions
Even if he were awarded $5,000,000 in arbitration
it isn’t like he’d be breaking the A’s bank. I think it’s weird that they finally have an above average player at 3B after years of Hannahan and Crosby and Chavez and Adam Kennedy, and you’re itching to get rid of him.
By the way, who is your solution at 3B if Kouzmanoff isn’t?
I don't think that's the right question
The right question is how do you get your 12 WAA? If you get 5 from the pitching staff you still need 7 from the lineup. From the cheap players we have:
Suzuki – 1 WAA
Barton – 1 WAA
That’s it. 2 WAA. So we need 5 WAA from 6 positions, since it’s very hard to get it from DH.
So far the approach has been to get 5 guys who might get 1 WAA each if they have great years and/or get healthy. My way would be to start with a 3 WAA guy, let’s call him Carl Crawford, and then try to fill in the holes cheaply.
If you have a big budget you can afford mid-priced guys like Kouzmanoff to fill in the other holes. If you’re Oakland, you need Beane to work his magic and get average guys for next to nothing. You already have 3 cheap average guys — Pennington, Cust, and Davis.
You need one more 2 WAA player and one more average guy. To get the 2 WAA player you can either hope it’s Carter, or make a trade to get someone, since another FA is likely to be too expensive. I’d only spend the $5M on the last average player if it fit into the budget at that point. So Kouzmanoff to me is a luxury, not a necessity.
To answer your question, I’d wait till January and see which averagish 3B are still around and try to sign one for less than $3M.
I hate Bob Geren and his peanut brain so much -- lenscrafters
by WaddellCanseco on Aug 11, 2010 12:10 AM PDT up reply actions
what is WAA?
makes me think of a baby crying.
You have to include smiley faces - Poppy
;- ) :- ) :-O : -> : -] : -}
Wins above average
Arthur Dent: You know, it's at times like this, when I'm trapped in a Vogon airlock with a man from Betelgeuse and about to die of asphyxiation in deep space, that I really wish I'd listened to what my mother told me when I was young.
Ford Prefect: Why, what did she tell you?
Arthur Dent: I don't know, I didn't listen!
And, he won't be awarded 5MM in arb.
Arbitrators are known to overemphasize offense and underemphasize defense.
He’s not getting a significant raise unless the A’s handle him very dumbly in arb.
Needs moar dingerz.
This doesn't make sense as a team building strategy to me at all.
At 3B the A’s have 2.7 WAR, which will be under the FA-market rate next season, and which the A’s can absolutely afford. Meanwhile the A’s have nothing in the OF (and I really don’t expect Carter to be much better than 2 WAR next year) – it is the area where they can improve the most via FA and trade. Sure, the OF market is not so good this year, but the A’s odds of landing Beltre are no better than their odds of landing Werth, and the former represents less of a net gain, win-wise, for the A’s than the latter. And your solution is to dump the 2.7 WAR for half the year, and then give up prospects for 1.3 of it at the trade deadline?
We're losing the big picture by focusing on the 2.7 WAR and comparing it to an
arbitrary FA market rate. We should be looking at what you need to win a division — maybe 93 games — and plan for how to get your 12 Wins above Average. Once you’ve spent your budget on your above average players, you can sign the average guys like Kouzmanoff if you still have money left.
If you start by signing Kouzmanoff just because he’s already there, you’re risking not having any money to sign the guys that can get you from 82 wins to 93.
I hate Bob Geren and his peanut brain so much -- lenscrafters
by WaddellCanseco on Aug 11, 2010 12:14 AM PDT up reply actions
Hmm
Once you’ve spent your budget on your above average players, you can sign the average guys like Kouzmanoff if you still have money left.
You are assuming that league average players can be had on the cheap. If you acquire your star players for the majority of your budget, you just might not have enough money to get those 0 WAA palyers anymore and might have to settle for the ones with the negative values.
Or in this example, if you replace Kouzmanoff with Mick McCheapy who has -2 WAA, you are negating some of the benefits of the expensive guy with good WAA. Not saying that your way of thinking is wrong, just that it is not all that simple.
"Be more concerned with your character than your reputation, because your character is what you really are, while your reputation is merely what others think you are."
– John Wooden
Yes, that is the risk, but Beane has proven pretty good at getting adequate
players cheaply. He’s proven terrible at getting great players expensively. Also filling a horrible sinkhole with an average guy midseason is easier than upgrading from average to superstar midseason. I agree that they can probably have Kouzmanoff and Crisp and Crawford if they have a $65 million budget.
I’m saying that they need to stop thinking in terms of a linear WAR/Dollar, because that implies that getting 9 Kouzmanoffs for $50 million is a great deal, whereas you’re not going to win anything, and your attendance will remain in the toilet.
I hate Bob Geren and his peanut brain so much -- lenscrafters
by WaddellCanseco on Aug 11, 2010 6:59 AM PDT up reply actions
9 Kouzmanoffs + the A's pitching staff = a playoff bound team.
"We were shit, pathetic," Guillen growled early in spring training. "We hit too many home runs."
by lenscrafters on Aug 11, 2010 11:19 AM PDT up reply actions
You mean 9 2.7 WAR players for $50M?
Hmmm….let’s see. I get about an 88 Win team for about $66M. I guess that’s a fringe contender. Worse than the Rangers, Rays, Yankees or Red Sox, but as good as anyone else. You’d have to watch the Angels getting Crawford and leapfrogging you. You could also never have any injuries.
I hate Bob Geren and his peanut brain so much -- lenscrafters
by WaddellCanseco on Aug 11, 2010 11:45 AM PDT up reply actions
What this does not account for is that
the deadline for offering arbitration is in the first week of December, while the first day of spring training is nearly three months later.
What makes your “lets nontender everyone who’s not already awesome!” strategy particularly silly is that if you somehow do end up busting your budget with free agents, you can just release the supernumerary arbitration players with only 30 days’ severance pay.
It’s really, really NOT a good idea to nontender players unless they are in their last arb year (thus meaning that you do not gain “implied options” on future seasons of their production) or totally horrible.
Arthur Dent: You know, it's at times like this, when I'm trapped in a Vogon airlock with a man from Betelgeuse and about to die of asphyxiation in deep space, that I really wish I'd listened to what my mother told me when I was young.
Ford Prefect: Why, what did she tell you?
Arthur Dent: I don't know, I didn't listen!
You're missing the big picture and focusing on individual transaction minutiae..
A’s fans have repeatedly shown through attendance that they don’t care whether a team wins 78 games or 70 games or 65 games. They’re not showing up. Why is it brilliant to keep mediocrities like Sweeney and Jackson if they’re going to cost you $5M between them, and then you’ll be whining about small budget when it comes to signing good players?
Nobody will care that you’ve been prudent in managing the arbitration schedule if you don’t have any 5 WAR players on your team.
I hate Bob Geren and his peanut brain so much -- lenscrafters
by WaddellCanseco on Aug 11, 2010 11:49 AM PDT up reply actions
A's fans don't show up, period
I’m not getting where that comes into the picture here, though, so I’ll ignore it.
I think the significant point here is that a. teams do not actually have literal budget numbers where anything up to that point is a-OK and anything past that is categorically verboten, and b. if they did, they would deserve to lose for sheer financial inflexibility anyway.
Arthur Dent: You know, it's at times like this, when I'm trapped in a Vogon airlock with a man from Betelgeuse and about to die of asphyxiation in deep space, that I really wish I'd listened to what my mother told me when I was young.
Ford Prefect: Why, what did she tell you?
Arthur Dent: I don't know, I didn't listen!
Carter looks like....
He’s never seen a breaking ball!
I only saw his last two at bats tonight and none last night, but from what I gather he’s going to have to learn to hit the breaking ball, otherwise he’s going to have it rough in the first few months. Obviously he’s going to have to make adjustments quickly. He needs to learn to plant his front foot and keep his weight back before bringing his bat through the zone. His last AB he couldn’t keep his weight back and he was way out in front of all the pitches. When that happens a fastball looks like 120mph. I’ve been there before and it’s not fun! LOL!
Byron
If he can't hit breaking balls, he should at least learn not to swing at them. That's what Cust does.
I hate Bob Geren and his peanut brain so much -- lenscrafters
by WaddellCanseco on Aug 10, 2010 10:15 PM PDT up reply actions
YES!
I couldn’t agree more. Unfortunately he looks lost up there. If he can learn to take breaking balls then he can get ahead in the count and at least guess fastball…
Byron
by DoomandGloom on Aug 10, 2010 10:17 PM PDT up reply actions
I think they should have told Carter
To not even swing at anything but a 3-0 fastball against King Felix. They should have told him, “just watch the pitches and try to learn how to recognize them”. They need to get a pitching machine that throws only breaking balls.
You have to include smiley faces - Poppy
;- ) :- ) :-O : -> : -] : -}
You mean Kiko Calero?
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
Are you ready for some football?
Because this baseball team is too depressing to watch.
:p
Green and Gold Lantern Corps
I am. Panthers are on tv tomorrow!
"You see, in this world there's two kinds of people, my friend: Those with loaded guns and those who dig. You dig."
Id rather lose 7-8 every night than 0-1
"Carter's 25-game hitting streak isn't any normal streak. He's 46 for 97 (.474 average) during the run, adding 16 walks and compiling 81 total bases in the process. I'm out of superlatives for what he's doing." - Kevin Goldstein
Why? They're both 0-162 teams. At least the first one has 7 teases.
I hate Bob Geren and his peanut brain so much -- lenscrafters
by WaddellCanseco on Aug 10, 2010 10:32 PM PDT up reply actions
Suggestion: Draft pitchers.
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
I know you joke,
but I honestly can’t understand why teams who play in a pitcher’s park draft pitchers…and pay a steep price to bring in FA hitters. And the Rangers, who play in a hitters park, draft hitters, and pay a steep price to bring in FA pitchers. I will never understand this…
Which steep priced hitters did the A's bring in?
I hate Bob Geren and his peanut brain so much -- lenscrafters
by WaddellCanseco on Aug 10, 2010 10:42 PM PDT up reply actions
well, not the A's...
but teams that play in pitcher’s parks. Look at what SF payed for Rowand. And what Texas payed for Millwood, on the other side of the coin…
Don't forget Hampton in Colorado
I hate Bob Geren and his peanut brain so much -- lenscrafters
by WaddellCanseco on Aug 10, 2010 10:46 PM PDT up reply actions
Except Rowand was not really a good hitter
And Milwood wasn’t a good pitcher. So bad investments from bad GMs
AN: Where you will be an A's fan or Dallas Braden will show you the repercussions of your actions.
by stranahanahan on Aug 10, 2010 10:47 PM PDT up reply actions
my point is that
FA hitters almost always avoid signing in Oakland. If you draft good hitters, you don’t have this problem. They’re stuck here…
Well they did draft Choice, Cabrera and Shipman this year and sign Nunez
I hate Bob Geren and his peanut brain so much -- lenscrafters
by WaddellCanseco on Aug 10, 2010 10:56 PM PDT up reply actions
They don't sign in Oakland because of multiple factors
Having a hitters park is not the main reason.
Having a ballpark that is known around the league as decrepit and dangerous is.
AN: Where you will be an A's fan or Dallas Braden will show you the repercussions of your actions.
by stranahanahan on Aug 10, 2010 10:59 PM PDT up reply actions
Dangerous?
I hate Bob Geren and his peanut brain so much -- lenscrafters
by WaddellCanseco on Aug 10, 2010 11:01 PM PDT up reply actions
That's what Holliday was telling others once he left last year
AN: Where you will be an A's fan or Dallas Braden will show you the repercussions of your actions.
by stranahanahan on Aug 10, 2010 11:02 PM PDT up reply actions
Why is it dangerous?
"You see, in this world there's two kinds of people, my friend: Those with loaded guns and those who dig. You dig."
Can't find it.
I’m still looking but I remember very specifically reading that he had told a close friend he didn’t feel like he could bring his family to the stadium
AN: Where you will be an A's fan or Dallas Braden will show you the repercussions of your actions.
by stranahanahan on Aug 11, 2010 11:52 AM PDT up reply actions
they're not living there, just playing there
even with the league minimum, you can live in SF. And bullet-proof windows have become surprisingly affordable!
The issue a guy like Holliday had
Was that he felt he couldn’t bring his family to the stadium.
To me, that’s more than where you live. I don’t agree with his sentiment, but if I had a family and felt the same way, I wouldn’t want to come to Oakland
AN: Where you will be an A's fan or Dallas Braden will show you the repercussions of your actions.
by stranahanahan on Aug 10, 2010 11:04 PM PDT up reply actions
I wonder why? They can take BART
I hate Bob Geren and his peanut brain so much -- lenscrafters
by WaddellCanseco on Aug 10, 2010 11:07 PM PDT up reply actions
No, no
His argument thing as once they were within the stadium.
I heard reference (maybe not in his situation) to the Frank Francisco incident being the result of some really unruly fans and apparently it resonated with some players as being the general atmosphere that occurred throughout the Coliseum.
AN: Where you will be an A's fan or Dallas Braden will show you the repercussions of your actions.
by stranahanahan on Aug 10, 2010 11:08 PM PDT up reply actions
Ya, I've heard that as well. It doesn't happen in St Louis
very much. We’re a peaceful bunch…at least baseball fans are.
I hate Bob Geren and his peanut brain so much -- lenscrafters
by WaddellCanseco on Aug 10, 2010 11:43 PM PDT up reply actions
I don't agree with it either
there’s a lot of folks that bring their families to the Coli (well, not THAT many). And I haven’t heard of any fans getting shot, and i’ve personally never had a single problem there. Not that I’d wander the neighborhood, mind you. I’ve no idea what Holliday’s issues were, and I doubt that they were all specific to the Oakland Coliseum.
Maybe that he's a blasphemous gnome?
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
Matt Holliday's a wimp
He didn’t even get close to that brawl that happened last night.
Needs moar dingerz.
You'd think for $17M/year he'd be leading the charge!
And protecting Pujols. At the same time.
I hate Bob Geren and his peanut brain so much -- lenscrafters
by WaddellCanseco on Aug 11, 2010 10:18 AM PDT up reply actions
The Giants paid a stiff price for Rowand because Sabean is a flaming idiot
He was never a particularly good player.
Arthur Dent: You know, it's at times like this, when I'm trapped in a Vogon airlock with a man from Betelgeuse and about to die of asphyxiation in deep space, that I really wish I'd listened to what my mother told me when I was young.
Ford Prefect: Why, what did she tell you?
Arthur Dent: I don't know, I didn't listen!
He was particularly good in 2004 and 2007
I hate Bob Geren and his peanut brain so much -- lenscrafters
by WaddellCanseco on Aug 11, 2010 11:51 AM PDT up reply actions
but he can crash into a wall and still catch a baseball
so gritty.
You have to include smiley faces - Poppy
;- ) :- ) :-O : -> : -] : -}
Join us here.
The Ultimate Opportunist
by Rated-R Superstar on Aug 10, 2010 10:16 PM PDT up reply actions
What if he doesn't want to?
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
Appropriate actions will be undertaken.
The Ultimate Opportunist
by Rated-R Superstar on Aug 10, 2010 10:19 PM PDT up reply actions
Great, I'll call an undertaker.
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
You called?
Green and Gold Lantern Corps
by oaklandSMASH on Aug 10, 2010 10:21 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
Broken Record.
Unfortunately another great A’s pitching performance gone to waste by a lackluster offense….this broken record has been playing for 10 years now.
Great starting pitching + Below average power and un-clutch hitting =
LOSS
Until we get some power and productive bats we are going to keep player the same broken record…
Byron
Why did we delete OAE's post?
Just curious…
AN: Where you will be an A's fan or Dallas Braden will show you the repercussions of your actions.
It wasn't really a fanpost
It was just kind of a long comment.
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
Sounds good
And I agree, just wanted to know!
AN: Where you will be an A's fan or Dallas Braden will show you the repercussions of your actions.
by stranahanahan on Aug 10, 2010 10:35 PM PDT up reply actions
I have figured out why Kevin Kouzmanoff sucks at baseball!
…It’s because he is actually a walking, talking, petrified dog turd. This explains his zombie-like reflexes at the plate, his lack of range afield, and his inability to recognize pitches of any type or work the count. If this stiff is worth $4 mil next year, that’s a sad testament to the lack of anyone out there who can really play. BB shouldn’t have given up more than a 6-pack of Keystone for this flatliner.
Ouch!
Bitter much….
AN: Where you will be an A's fan or Dallas Braden will show you the repercussions of your actions.
by stranahanahan on Aug 10, 2010 10:42 PM PDT up reply actions
Kouzmanoff sucks offensively and not defensively.
The Ultimate Opportunist
by Rated-R Superstar on Aug 10, 2010 10:42 PM PDT up reply actions
Well he didn't really. Who in that trade would you want back?
I hate Bob Geren and his peanut brain so much -- lenscrafters
by WaddellCanseco on Aug 10, 2010 10:43 PM PDT up reply actions
That Keystone doesn't sound bad about now
AN: Where you will be an A's fan or Dallas Braden will show you the repercussions of your actions.
by stranahanahan on Aug 10, 2010 11:00 PM PDT up reply actions
Kouzmanoff sucks at offense and is great at defense
Who do we have at 3B in the organization that’s good at both?
Needs moar dingerz.
This says it all!!
From sfgate:
Geren said he’s never seen such an unselfish group of players; they’re willing to bunt and to move runners over and do all the little things; he mentioned several times that Suzuki’s groundout Monday night contributed to the A’s only run of the series so far. Geren is happy with the effort he’s getting.
Wow
What a joke of a manager.
He mentioned Suzuki’s groundout??! He’s seriously backing the ONLY RUN WE’VE HAD THIS SERIES?!?
Good riddance.
AN: Where you will be an A's fan or Dallas Braden will show you the repercussions of your actions.
by stranahanahan on Aug 10, 2010 11:11 PM PDT up reply actions
This series:
One run, and two tips of the hat, and a big happy smile on Geren’s face with the effort of the team……really, Geren hasn’t got a clue.
by robertmelvin on Aug 10, 2010 11:15 PM PDT up reply actions
Geren hasn't got a clue?
In other news:
Pans on the stove are hot
Otis Nixon is ugly
Cats have four legs
Giraffes have long necks
Jesus Christ can’t hit a curveball
Yet Jesus is unselfish
Bat him 3rd.
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
Obviously, this just means we need more selfish players.
"We were shit, pathetic," Guillen growled early in spring training. "We hit too many home runs."
by lenscrafters on Aug 10, 2010 11:12 PM PDT up reply actions
Yes I want those selfish hits and walks. I want guys who ignore the bunt sign and hit three run homers.
I hate Bob Geren and his peanut brain so much -- lenscrafters
by WaddellCanseco on Aug 10, 2010 11:45 PM PDT up reply actions
He sounds more like a mother than a manager.
good job Johnny, keep up the good work. We’re all winners if we try.
It’s also IMO kind of ridiculous to think that players that suck at hitting can intentionally ground out to get a run. It’s more like he was trying to get a hit, grounded out, and was lucky that no one was on first to set up a double play.
You have to include smiley faces - Poppy
;- ) :- ) :-O : -> : -] : -}
Before bitching too much about this team
As of right now, the Oakland A’s have the best ERA in the American League, and the second best WHIP in all of baseball. Somehow, with all that, you’d expect the team to have a record a bit better than .500.
Boy, this offense sucks.
I feel like that great pitching is being wasted...
I mean, it’s very possible, barring injury, that the A’s pitching will be even better for the final two months of the season because there’s no Sheets, no Ross, no Bowers, and the starters are working deep into games. The trio of Anderson, Gonzalez and Cahill right now looks awesome, every bit as good as the Big Three in their prime, even granted Cahill’s luck. And as Henry Rodriguez matures and Andrew Bailey gets healthy, the relief staff will look as good as well.
All this, and nobody can fookin’ hit the ball or drive in runs.
Ugh
"Their batters are patient to the point that it's annoying." -Ryan Franklin
by Helloooo 1st on Aug 10, 2010 11:33 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
So far in 2010, he’s among the league leaders in wOBA.
The Ultimate Opportunist
by Rated-R Superstar on Aug 10, 2010 11:33 PM PDT up reply actions
The A's need more than just one guy
Scoring 1 run per game and wasting awesome pitching is just not good
That's a different story
And the correct one. Complaining about Cust is still wrong and is getting (already was) old.
"Their batters are patient to the point that it's annoying." -Ryan Franklin
by Helloooo 1st on Aug 10, 2010 11:39 PM PDT up reply actions
Cust
Just don’t let him bat with a man on 3rd and less than 2 outs.
by Colorado Fan on Aug 10, 2010 11:48 PM PDT up reply actions
Jack Cust is batting .333/.429/.556 with a man on third base and less than two outs.
The Ultimate Opportunist
by Rated-R Superstar on Aug 10, 2010 11:53 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
Right but aren't we trying to lose?
"Their batters are patient to the point that it's annoying." -Ryan Franklin
by Helloooo 1st on Aug 10, 2010 11:55 PM PDT up reply actions
It’s not “refusal”. Just laziness. I have a love/hate relationship with Cust. When he’s bad, he’s really bad. When he’s good, he’s really good.
by Colorado Fan on Aug 11, 2010 12:04 AM PDT up reply actions
(SSS) ... j/k
Wow, I have severe short term memory….. He’s not doing well this week.
by Colorado Fan on Aug 11, 2010 12:01 AM PDT up reply actions
I know this might not have statistical basing but
I’d be willing to bet a majority of those AB’s with a man on third and less than 2 outs have come against struggling, weak pitchers (hence the man on third base with less than 2 outs). Against better pitchers (and elite relief pitchers) I would bet he strikes out the majority of the time in these situations, something that you just cannot do in contact situations.
Frank Cohen
TeamTICKERmlb.com
Your Effortless Baseball Connection
Are you saying Cust hits better against bad pitchers and worse against great ones?
Because that is absolutely preposterous.
No I'm saying that his stats with runners on 3rd and less
than 2 outs look so shiny because, most likely, in the majority of them he has been facing struggling and/or bad pitchers. This might not a statistical basis, but I know for a fact that Cust is one of the last batters I want up in contact situations like that.
Frank Cohen
TeamTICKERmlb.com
Your Effortless Baseball Connection
By that rationale
everybody faces lousy pitchers in such a situation
"Be more concerned with your character than your reputation, because your character is what you really are, while your reputation is merely what others think you are."
– John Wooden
Maybe
But that was my basic point… Make contact with the baseball with a man on 3rd and less than 2 outs. Don’t look for a walk, taking borderline pitches. Don’t swing for the fences. Make contact. The stats show that he’s a pretty good hitter in those situations, but how many times has he made an out + scored the guy from 3rd base?
by Colorado Fan on Aug 11, 2010 8:05 AM PDT up reply actions
This whole premise of "man on third and less than two outs"
can not be viewed digitally. It does not have only two outcomes – “driven in” and “not driven in”.
While an out that scores a runner is a better one than the out that doesn’t, not making an out at all is even better. By asking a player to always alter his hitting approach so that he goes for making an out in exchange for driving in the runner, you will actually end up scoring less runs altogether*.
*It’s a quick and dirty calculation that seems to hold water well if the player is not atrocious to start with, which Cust certainly isn’t. Perhaps I’ll look into it some deeper one of these days.
"Be more concerned with your character than your reputation, because your character is what you really are, while your reputation is merely what others think you are."
– John Wooden
My "quick and dirty" analysis
is that any hitter whose game includes a ton of walks and a ton of Ks isn’t going to be at his most useful in “runner at 3rd, less than two out” RBI situations, and that this doesn’t mean he’s any less of a hitter but it does mean that he’s not ideally suited to batting 4th.
As always, it comes back to the A’s not having actual #3-#4 hitters, which is on neither Cust nor Geren.
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
I'd love to find the time to delve into the first part
but surely will not before going to Spain.
And, really, really agree with the second part. So much of Cust criticism is not really due to his shortcomings, but that of the surrounding players.
"Be more concerned with your character than your reputation, because your character is what you really are, while your reputation is merely what others think you are."
– John Wooden
If the A's best hitter were batting after Cust
and were really good, then Cust’s walks in those situations would be great.
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
The sad thing is that he might be.
I hate Bob Geren and his peanut brain so much -- lenscrafters
by WaddellCanseco on Aug 11, 2010 9:19 AM PDT up reply actions
Sounds pretty selfish to me
"And Julio Franco is batting right-handed!" -- Wayne Hagin, A's radio play-by-play, mid-80s
Similar as above
if you are not in the bottom of the 9th in a tied or a one run game, driving the runner form third in is not the only purpose of the at bat. It is maximizing your team’s chances of scoring as many runs as possible. Trading an out for a run with a good hitter batting does not seem to maximize those chances.
"Be more concerned with your character than your reputation, because your character is what you really are, while your reputation is merely what others think you are."
– John Wooden
How can you be sure Bowers isn't coming back?
I hate Bob Geren and his peanut brain so much -- lenscrafters
by WaddellCanseco on Aug 10, 2010 11:46 PM PDT up reply actions
{flagged}
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
hee
I hate Bob Geren and his peanut brain so much -- lenscrafters
by WaddellCanseco on Aug 11, 2010 9:14 AM PDT up reply actions
Agree with you on that one, man
If we had half of the Twins or Reds offense, this division would be ours
"Do I talk to myself? No, I just remind myself of what I'm trying to do. You know, I never answer myself so how can I be talking to myself?" - Rickey
Athletics Nation - WE'RE ALL GONNA MRIIIIIIIIIIIII!!!!!
by cuppingmaster on Aug 11, 2010 8:02 AM PDT up reply actions
This has probably already been posted
But Ross’ crappy mechanics might be catching up to him according to Slusser
"Their batters are patient to the point that it's annoying." -Ryan Franklin
Posted this in Beltran thread already, but for next year, how about:
go into next year with an OF of Carter-Crisp-Taylor, and trade Sweeney for a useful piece (if the interest in him is high enough). Sign Dunn to DH, non-tender Kevin Kouzmanoff, and sign Adrian Beltre.
1. Crisp CF
2. Pennington SS
3. Barton 1B
4. Dunn DH
5. Beltre 3B
6. Suzuki C
7. Carter LF
8. Taylor RF
9. Rosales/Ellis/Sogard/Cardenas 2B (depending on whether or not Ellis’s option is picked up, etc.)
That looks like a legit lineup to me. Seems somewhat realistic money-wise too. Perhaps Sweeney could be used to pry a nice bullpen piece loose.
Frank Cohen
TeamTICKERmlb.com
Your Effortless Baseball Connection
Beltre
He could realize that the A’s have an amazing pitching staff and his talents could come in very handy.
"Their batters are patient to the point that it's annoying." -Ryan Franklin
by Helloooo 1st on Aug 10, 2010 11:45 PM PDT up reply actions
Because we can offer him a LOT of money
And he talked about going to the Sox because they had a better chance to win—now the A’s look like sure-fire contenders next season
Frank Cohen
TeamTICKERmlb.com
Your Effortless Baseball Connection
Because
We have one of the best pitching staffs in the MLB, we have young position player studs coming up soon, to join the solid position player core of Suzuki, Barton, and Pennington, and we have tons of money freed up to pursue big time free agents to fill our few holes. I would say we are a very good bet to contend next season.
Frank Cohen
TeamTICKERmlb.com
Your Effortless Baseball Connection
A guy like Grant Green could move quickly
Polished collegiate bat, performing well offensively in A+ at the moment and hopefully will see some AA time before the year is out. Start him at Midland next year, hopefully he gets to AAA at some point and could maybe, possibly be a September call-up next year. Obviously that’s pretty optimistic but it’s the best case scenario and means he’s improved enough on defense too.
Then there’s also Cardenas and Weeks if he ever finds a way to stay healthy.
"Their batters are patient to the point that it's annoying." -Ryan Franklin
by Helloooo 1st on Aug 11, 2010 12:01 AM PDT up reply actions
re: Brown
My god would it be nice if he could emerge as a legit MLB-caliber player. He certainly has the tools so hopefully he can prove he can handle AAA in the near future.
"Their batters are patient to the point that it's annoying." -Ryan Franklin
by Helloooo 1st on Aug 11, 2010 12:14 AM PDT up reply actions
Yeah it's time for a promotion
"Their batters are patient to the point that it's annoying." -Ryan Franklin
by Helloooo 1st on Aug 11, 2010 3:52 AM PDT up reply actions
re: Dunn
The improvement he provides over Cust is not enough to warrant the money it’s going to take to sign him.
Plus he doesn’t want to DH and if he had to could probably find somewhere better than Oakland to do it.
"Their batters are patient to the point that it's annoying." -Ryan Franklin
by Helloooo 1st on Aug 10, 2010 11:45 PM PDT up reply actions
He actually recently said he would be OK
with DH’ing when asked about a potential trade
Frank Cohen
TeamTICKERmlb.com
Your Effortless Baseball Connection
Trades are different though
When he’s a FA and can conceivably choose where he wants to go, he’ll probably lean towards the offers from NL clubs first.
"Their batters are patient to the point that it's annoying." -Ryan Franklin
by Helloooo 1st on Aug 10, 2010 11:48 PM PDT up reply actions
The question is:
How many NL teams will offer him larger contracts than we would? I would say very few give the fact that we value him more than they would given the fact that he would not hurt us defensively
Frank Cohen
TeamTICKERmlb.com
Your Effortless Baseball Connection
Well the main point from my original reply
Was that it’s not worth it to sign Dunn because Cust is not that much worse than him and the difference in their salaries would be too much to justify it. It’d be nice if either could play defense but obviously they can’t.
"Their batters are patient to the point that it's annoying." -Ryan Franklin
by Helloooo 1st on Aug 10, 2010 11:54 PM PDT up reply actions
Dunn has lots more power
On a team like the A’s, that could be huge.
Again?
"Be more concerned with your character than your reputation, because your character is what you really are, while your reputation is merely what others think you are."
– John Wooden
On a second thought, forget it
"Be more concerned with your character than your reputation, because your character is what you really are, while your reputation is merely what others think you are."
– John Wooden
People have gone over this again and again
But walks don’t drive in runs.
I’m not in favor of Dunn over Cust or Barton because in a sense you’re robbing Peter to pay Paul, and there are other places to put someone with power - like third base or the outfield.
But this is a team that can’t drive runs in.
It can't walk either
I hate Bob Geren and his peanut brain so much -- lenscrafters
by WaddellCanseco on Aug 11, 2010 11:51 AM PDT up reply actions
That's a below average lineup. It's basically this year's horror show plus Beltre and Carter.
It’s less horrific, but still not good.
I hate Bob Geren and his peanut brain so much -- lenscrafters
by WaddellCanseco on Aug 10, 2010 11:53 PM PDT up reply actions
It's a below average lineup if
Carter and Taylor perform below average. It has the potential to be a very good lineup, if Carter, Taylor and potentially Cardenas live up to their potential sooner rather than later.
Frank Cohen
TeamTICKERmlb.com
Your Effortless Baseball Connection
What do you see as Taylor and Cardenas's potential?
I hate Bob Geren and his peanut brain so much -- lenscrafters
by WaddellCanseco on Aug 10, 2010 11:56 PM PDT up reply actions
In their primes?
Or best case scenario next year?
Frank Cohen
TeamTICKERmlb.com
Your Effortless Baseball Connection
Both?
I hate Bob Geren and his peanut brain so much -- lenscrafters
by WaddellCanseco on Aug 10, 2010 11:59 PM PDT up reply actions
Next year, if they can both make strides
I see Cardenas as hovering OPS’ing between 780 and 800. Taylor I could see OPS’ing between 825 and 860. In their primes, I see Cardenas OPS’ing around 800 and hitting .300. Taylor I could see posting OPS’s hovering around 900.
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Your Effortless Baseball Connection
You do realize that neither Cardenas nor Taylor have put up those numbers
in AAA this year, right? It’s a mighty big step from sucking in AAA to being respectable in the majors.
I hate Bob Geren and his peanut brain so much -- lenscrafters
by WaddellCanseco on Aug 11, 2010 12:15 AM PDT up reply actions
Considering Taylor has OPS'd in the mid 900s
The two years before this, I think you can see he has the potential
Frank Cohen
TeamTICKERmlb.com
Your Effortless Baseball Connection
Kind of. He's been a bit old for his leagues.
He did OPS .850 in AAA at 23, which is fairly decent, if not spectacular.
I hate Bob Geren and his peanut brain so much -- lenscrafters
by WaddellCanseco on Aug 11, 2010 12:20 AM PDT up reply actions
And makes this year a little bit baffling.
Keep in mind, of course, that "the best defense of Derek Jeter's life" ranks somewhere in between "the best fiscal responsibility of Mike Tyson's life" and "the best not-getting-assassinated-ness of James Garfield's life." -FJM
He belongs to all men now.
I hate Bob Geren and his peanut brain so much -- lenscrafters
by WaddellCanseco on Aug 11, 2010 12:23 AM PDT up reply actions
Father Desme is displeased with your shenanigans.
The Ultimate Opportunist
by Rated-R Superstar on Aug 11, 2010 12:25 AM PDT up reply actions
I'd say it's still high
Cardenas is still young, and has absolutely killed AA so hopefully that will (and should) translate to AAA after some adjustment.
And Taylor isn’t that far removed from being a stud prospect, albeit he’s getting kind of old to be performing this way in AAA.
"Their batters are patient to the point that it's annoying." -Ryan Franklin
by Helloooo 1st on Aug 10, 2010 11:58 PM PDT up reply actions
Is either better than a B- prospect?
I hate Bob Geren and his peanut brain so much -- lenscrafters
by WaddellCanseco on Aug 11, 2010 12:00 AM PDT up reply actions
Yes. No doubt.
Cardenas at worst is a B- prospect IMO. Taylor is probably about a B+ right now, although before his stock dropped he was probably an easy A-.
Frank Cohen
TeamTICKERmlb.com
Your Effortless Baseball Connection
Wow! You like a lot more than anyone I know.
I hate Bob Geren and his peanut brain so much -- lenscrafters
by WaddellCanseco on Aug 11, 2010 12:17 AM PDT up reply actions
I think too many people are just looking at Taylor's
AAA numbers and ignoring his terrific numbers last year and the year before. He’s a great player, with great tools, a real 5 tool player; I think he will be fine. As for Cardenas, I see a solid .300 hitter, OPS’ing somewhere between 780 and 800. I think his minor league stats have backed up this projection, which is certainly deserving of a B- prospect grade.
Frank Cohen
TeamTICKERmlb.com
Your Effortless Baseball Connection
I think a big question for Cardenas's grade is how/where he will play defense.
Keep in mind, of course, that "the best defense of Derek Jeter's life" ranks somewhere in between "the best fiscal responsibility of Mike Tyson's life" and "the best not-getting-assassinated-ness of James Garfield's life." -FJM
I'd personally give them both B-
I think 2011 is a make or break year for Taylor and Cardenas risks being passed up by Weeks and Green if he stalls again at AAA. We’ll see. I wouldn’t give either a starting job in the majors in 2011 barring a stunningly awesome winter and spring.
I hate Bob Geren and his peanut brain so much -- lenscrafters
by WaddellCanseco on Aug 11, 2010 12:22 AM PDT up reply actions
I'd give Taylor a B-
I’d go straight B for Cardenas. He’s repeating AA, but he’s not especially old for AA, and a .406 wOBA in AA at the age of 22 s nothing to sneeze at, especially out of an infielder.
Needs moar dingerz.
Same for me: Cardenas a B, Taylor a B-
Cardenas is doing fine, given his age and given that he started the year with an injury. Taylor is fading fast, and perhaps most troubling is that no one seems to be to pinpoint why.
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
You're not worried about the Cardenas defense?
If he’s really crappy at 2nd and 3rd, he’d have to become a corner OF
I hate Bob Geren and his peanut brain so much -- lenscrafters
by WaddellCanseco on Aug 11, 2010 9:13 AM PDT up reply actions
I haven't heard that he's crappy at that level
More projected to be an average 3Bman or a little below average 2Bman.
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
BA says he has the tools for 3B (hands and instincts), but he's not played
there much. They also say his range is a bit short for 2B, and TotalZone hates his defense at 2B. CHONE had him at -8, which was the worst of the A’s minor leaguer 2B, well other then Cobb and he doesn’t count..
I hate Bob Geren and his peanut brain so much -- lenscrafters
by WaddellCanseco on Aug 11, 2010 9:18 AM PDT up reply actions
We have a guy named Cobb?
"Be more concerned with your character than your reputation, because your character is what you really are, while your reputation is merely what others think you are."
– John Wooden
I don't think he's there any more, but he was there last year.
I don’t think he’s related…..well to Tyrus anyway.
I hate Bob Geren and his peanut brain so much -- lenscrafters
by WaddellCanseco on Aug 11, 2010 10:16 AM PDT up reply actions
Care to elaborate?
I hate Bob Geren and his peanut brain so much -- lenscrafters
by WaddellCanseco on Aug 11, 2010 9:59 AM PDT up reply actions
Probably not
But those grades could be misleading. Cardenas will probably be seen as having stalled, needing to repeat AA for most of the season. But when I look at his season, I see a guy who struggled at a new level after coming back from an injury that was probably still nagging him and trying to master a new position at the same time. If he finishes the year strong at AAA and shows some aptitude over at 3B then I’d say he’s deserving of a B and makes me feel confident that he can one day contribute at the MLB-level.
Taylor will get a B-/B based on the fact that he was a great prospect before the year and I’d be fine with it. I’m still high on him as well and I believe that he’ll turn it around at some point in the future. In fact, if he as a good ST and shows credible improvement then I’d put him in RF in Oakland to start the year. That’s kind of risky so I also wouldn’t mind seeing him in AAA for the first month or two or whatever.
So overall, I still like both of them a lot and in Taylor’s case he’d have to do more bad stuff for me to give up on him.
"Their batters are patient to the point that it's annoying." -Ryan Franklin
by Helloooo 1st on Aug 11, 2010 12:09 AM PDT up reply actions
The Rays have a below average offensive lineup
and they’re a pretty damn good team.
As do the White Sox, Padres, and Braves.
Needs moar dingerz.
Fangraphs has the Rays at 30 batting runs above average. Where are you getting the "below average offensive lineup"?
I hate Bob Geren and his peanut brain so much -- lenscrafters
by WaddellCanseco on Aug 11, 2010 9:22 AM PDT up reply actions
I need to do a better job checking my facts
and, the Braves as well, aaaah.
Mea culpa.
Needs moar dingerz.
I'd say no to Beltre personally.
He’s gonna be extremely expensive, and his BABIP is at .353 this year. In a vacuum, that’s not absurdly high, but his career average is .294. I smell regression, and I don’t think he’d be much better than Kouz in the Coli.
Keep in mind, of course, that "the best defense of Derek Jeter's life" ranks somewhere in between "the best fiscal responsibility of Mike Tyson's life" and "the best not-getting-assassinated-ness of James Garfield's life." -FJM
Yes, he'd be going from a RH hitters paradise to a RH hitters hell
I hate Bob Geren and his peanut brain so much -- lenscrafters
by WaddellCanseco on Aug 10, 2010 11:56 PM PDT up reply actions
I'm glad the A's will have money to spend this offseason
However, the first thing Beane needs to do is get rid of Bob. No FA wants to play for this guy.
I’m not saying Showalter is a savior or anything, but can the A’s bring someone of this caliber?
The O’s are kind of like the A’s; good young pitching, bad offense. Just look at what a manager change can do. I think it’s really amazing how just a simple change at the helm can accomplish.
The Orioles aren't going to win 14 of 15.
They will eventually play back to their level. But I do agree; time for a new guy
"Do I talk to myself? No, I just remind myself of what I'm trying to do. You know, I never answer myself so how can I be talking to myself?" - Rickey
Athletics Nation - WE'RE ALL GONNA MRIIIIIIIIIIIII!!!!!
by cuppingmaster on Aug 11, 2010 8:06 AM PDT up reply actions
Don't underestimate the power of Buck.
I hate Bob Geren and his peanut brain so much -- lenscrafters
by WaddellCanseco on Aug 11, 2010 9:20 AM PDT up reply actions
Buck Showalter, 2010: 15 WAR
"Life is a horizontal fall" -Jean Cocteau
by King Richard on Aug 11, 2010 10:58 AM PDT up reply actions
That's what it's good for
I hate Bob Geren and his peanut brain so much -- lenscrafters
by WaddellCanseco on Aug 11, 2010 11:52 AM PDT up reply actions
Proofs
“the first thing Beane needs to do is get rid of Bob. No FA wants to play for this guy.” I have not seen a single quote anywhere stating this as fact. It might be true or it might not.
“I’m not saying Showalter is a savior or anything, but can the A’s bring someone of this caliber?” I’ve read that Showalter is a psycho martinet. It may be that it’s time to bring in a strong personality, but that could be virtually anybody.
“The O’s are kind of like the A’s; good young pitching, bad offense.” Untrue. The Orioles have a slightly better offense than the A’s; pretty comparable. The O’s have the worst pitching in the league. The A’s have the best, or close to the best, depending on which site I’m looking at.
Yeah, the O's pitching is where the A's arms were last year
Still very, very raw talents. Same with Wieters and Josh Bell.
Needs moar dingerz.
Boy they sucked.
I hate Bob Geren and his peanut brain so much -- lenscrafters
by WaddellCanseco on Aug 11, 2010 10:16 AM PDT up reply actions
I get what you're saying...
But if the talent is that raw, it shouldn’t be in the major leagues, and a Buck Showalter will not make any difference at this point. It’s also unclear to me that if you have that kind of raw talent whether Buck Showalter is the right guy for the job in the long haul. Maybe they need a kindergarten teacher like Bob Geren, someone more intent in nurturing than in actually playing the game.
I seriously hope Bob Geren ripped a new one for the offense given their performance the past few games.
It is unacceptable to be hitting this poorly at an important stretch of the season.
Sadly, I know Bob probably just praised people on taking good swings and trying hard.
Can we get Brandon Phillips on our team? We need some fire.
by Billy Frijoles on Aug 11, 2010 9:46 AM PDT up reply actions
Milton Bradley might be available
I hate Bob Geren and his peanut brain so much -- lenscrafters
by WaddellCanseco on Aug 11, 2010 9:58 AM PDT up reply actions
I just want a manager who doesn't platoon the team's best hitter.
"We were shit, pathetic," Guillen growled early in spring training. "We hit too many home runs."
by lenscrafters on Aug 11, 2010 11:18 AM PDT up reply actions
At least he's not platooning him with the team's second best hitter
I hate Bob Geren and his peanut brain so much -- lenscrafters
by WaddellCanseco on Aug 11, 2010 11:52 AM PDT up reply actions
Talk to Michael Choice tonight
Ask me how chris carter was doing, i said king pitched tonight, makes sense
yes this game sukt the bollocks offensively
but what’s impressive is the amount of weak grounders our pitchers — all of them — are inducing. All these guys seem to get an inordinate amount of bad contact and that has to be even more frustrating than striking out for a hitter, cuz they walk away from an AB thinking they are just a millimeter from squaring a guy up yet they never do.
Mazzaro is SO weird… how does his BAA go so far down as he goes through a game? His BAA is way high the first time through and then steadily decreases the second and third time, is that bizarre or what? You’d think the more pitches guys see over an evening, the better they’d do but somehow he just turns logic on its head.
Brett’s sweeping curve looked devastating tonight and i just don’t get why ‘Zuki called for a fastball to Kotchman on 0-1… but again we are quibbling about the ONE RUN the guy gave up in 7 stellar innings like we quibbled about the TWO ER Vinny gave up in 7 last night, which means the pitching is as good as it can almost be from young developing guys like this and that the offense is so bad you almost have to hide your eyes, especially away from the hitter’s paradise called the Oakland Coliseum.
Hello, I'm Vince Cotroneo for the Marmaduke B. Mushmouth School of Public Speaking...
This is why we're not in the pennant race. Have we really lost two from two against the worst team in the division?
Sigh.
Ah well, the Panthers have their first pre-season game tomorrow, Blackburn start their season on Saturday, Wigan pick up the title on Sunday, and England are going white wash Pakistan. It’s not all bad.
"You see, in this world there's two kinds of people, my friend: Those with loaded guns and those who dig. You dig."
Are you a Wigan fan too?
I hate Bob Geren and his peanut brain so much -- lenscrafters
by WaddellCanseco on Aug 11, 2010 7:01 AM PDT up reply actions
Warriors - Rugby League team.
"You see, in this world there's two kinds of people, my friend: Those with loaded guns and those who dig. You dig."
Ah
I hate Bob Geren and his peanut brain so much -- lenscrafters
by WaddellCanseco on Aug 11, 2010 9:03 AM PDT up reply actions
Any big snooker, darts, or lawn bowls events coming up?
"And Julio Franco is batting right-handed!" -- Wayne Hagin, A's radio play-by-play, mid-80s
Was there any need for the sarcasm?
"You see, in this world there's two kinds of people, my friend: Those with loaded guns and those who dig. You dig."
Sorry, no offense meant, OldhamA
Actually, I’ve liked watching televised snooker, darts, and lawn bowls when I’ve visited the UK. I don’t think it’s silly to follow or be fans of them, any more than it is to be a baseball fan or rugby league fan or basketball fan.
"And Julio Franco is batting right-handed!" -- Wayne Hagin, A's radio play-by-play, mid-80s
Jokes including, but not limited to,
Commonwealth sports and/or performance of English football squad will not be met with OldhamA’s approval ;-)
"Be more concerned with your character than your reputation, because your character is what you really are, while your reputation is merely what others think you are."
– John Wooden
OK, but it won't be easy
I hate Bob Geren and his peanut brain so much -- lenscrafters
by WaddellCanseco on Aug 11, 2010 9:04 AM PDT up reply actions
PS I've started watching some cricket on ESPN3
though the Tests are such a huge time commitment that I just can’t watch one all the way through, and I still can’t quite follow all the tactical subtleties of Twenty20.
"And Julio Franco is batting right-handed!" -- Wayne Hagin, A's radio play-by-play, mid-80s
I'd love to watch one game (test?)
with someone who knows what’s going on. I’ve seen some international competition (in Zimbabwe, I think) on EuroSport2 some months ago, but they kept saying it was some special set of rules. Not that I know the normal ones to start with.
"Be more concerned with your character than your reputation, because your character is what you really are, while your reputation is merely what others think you are."
– John Wooden
You mean a One Day International?
50 Overs?
I hate Bob Geren and his peanut brain so much -- lenscrafters
by WaddellCanseco on Aug 11, 2010 9:12 AM PDT up reply actions
I have no idea what it was
There was a really cute Zimbabwean girl in the stands, though.
"Be more concerned with your character than your reputation, because your character is what you really are, while your reputation is merely what others think you are."
– John Wooden
Then it behooves us to learn these answers....or else just learn to speak the languages of
Zimbabwe. English, I believe.
I hate Bob Geren and his peanut brain so much -- lenscrafters
by WaddellCanseco on Aug 11, 2010 9:16 AM PDT up reply actions
Were they wearing white, or erm..... red and green (I think that's what Zimbabwe play in).
And did it take all day, or 3 hours?
"You see, in this world there's two kinds of people, my friend: Those with loaded guns and those who dig. You dig."
I don't really know
The colors fit, but I don’t know about the time, as there were rain delays and it was not live (and I didn’t hang around for the whole thing).
"Be more concerned with your character than your reputation, because your character is what you really are, while your reputation is merely what others think you are."
– John Wooden
OT, sorry
Is there a way to leave a SBN blog where I already made a comment? I have a bunch of basketball ones that I only joined while I was doing my lefthanders study, and as I don’t participate there at all, I would like to remove them from my page.
"Be more concerned with your character than your reputation, because your character is what you really are, while your reputation is merely what others think you are."
– John Wooden
Unfortunately, no.
My Adenhart condolences had an unfortunate side effect of permanently making me a member of Halos Heaven. Ugh.
Today's Lineup Rosales in there. Cust NOT
RT @OaklandAs: #A’s lineup @ SEA: Crisp cf, Barton 1b, Suzuki dh, Kouzmanoff 3b, Rosales ss, Ellis 2b, Davis rf, Carter lf, Powell c
Would have rather had Pennington in there
Rosales at 2B, and Cust at DH. Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr(en).
"Do I talk to myself? No, I just remind myself of what I'm trying to do. You know, I never answer myself so how can I be talking to myself?" - Rickey
Athletics Nation - WE'RE ALL GONNA MRIIIIIIIIIIIII!!!!!
by cuppingmaster on Aug 11, 2010 11:24 AM PDT up reply actions
Well, at least it’s daytime!
The Ultimate Opportunist
by Rated-R Superstar on Aug 11, 2010 12:11 PM PDT up reply actions
susanslusser
Conor Jackson is heading to Class-A Stockton to play seven innings in the OF tonight. He could be back with #Athletics before end of week.
Then, suddenly, there's a bit of an OF crunch again
and a roster decision to make. Maybe that could involve bringing up Jackson for Gross, who a) isn’t good, and b) has no real future with the team. The OFers + DH would be Jackson, Carter, Crisp, Davis, and Cust, so someone would have to sit, or at least rotate out.
"And Julio Franco is batting right-handed!" -- Wayne Hagin, A's radio play-by-play, mid-80s
I'm pretty sure they'd DFA Gross. Why would they not?
I hate Bob Geren and his peanut brain so much -- lenscrafters
by WaddellCanseco on Aug 11, 2010 11:53 AM PDT up reply actions
I'm not taking anything for granted
but that would be the obvious move. And he hasn’t been playing that much lately.
"And Julio Franco is batting right-handed!" -- Wayne Hagin, A's radio play-by-play, mid-80s
Carter needs to be the full time LF.
And it sounds like, before the injury, Geren was committing to a full time job for Jackson too (which he should), so perhaps we’d be rolling with a Carter/someone/Jackson OF for a while.
That “someone” would be Coco or Davis, I suppose, with Cust as the regular DH.
Yep, that's how I was thinking of it
"And Julio Franco is batting right-handed!" -- Wayne Hagin, A's radio play-by-play, mid-80s
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