My interview with Billy Beane

For ANers who use iTunes (or any other comparable software, I imagine), you can subscribe to the podcast directly using this url: http://athleticsafterdark.com/feed

On my mac, I chose “Subscribe to Podcast” in the “Advanced” menu and just typed the url in right there.

to the interview. Really nice job on this.

I was wondering just how candid Beane was when asked about Geren.

He said the he looked forward to coming back and doing another. Pleasee hold him to that about a year from now.

Interesting answers regarding free agent sluggers and available money. I don’t think the team is going to get two corner OFs that route. One maybe — possibly doubtful. Carter will be given every opportunity to stick next season. I’m thinking that the years a FA slugger OF would ask for is going to be a huge problem for him based on his answer. Maybe ‘our’ slugger [loosely defined] comes via a trade with a team looking to salary dump.

…generally, elite players don’t sign 1-year contracts. Beltre, for example, was an exception, and for the reason(s) you noted. Bentre knew he was gambling, and it appears his gamble will pay off.

I enjoyed :)

Beane’s points:

1) We’re poor. Not only are we further behind the richest teams than we were 10 years ago, we’re behind almost everyone now that has a new stadium.

2) The stadium is terrible and no one would play in it if they have a choice

3) We have no offense and we’re going to have to wait for more guys in the system to develop before we get some.

4) We tried to win in 2008, and it was a mistake. I’ll never do that again.

5) At my age I’m OK with mediocrity because family is the most important thing

How about questions like:

1) What do the fans have to look forward to the rest of the season and the next few years?

2) Why should the fans care about the team and come watch…or watch on TV?

3) Which players have made the most progress this year, that you see as building blocks? Any plans to sign more guys to long term deals?

4) Who in the minors should the fans keep an eye on?

If this had been a post, it would have been flagged for relentless negativity.

I know Brown had a bad start at AAA this year, but Cardenas has been recalled to AAA and is doing okay.

You’re a very good interviewer. I look forward to listening to more of your work.

And the detailed financials of the Pirates, Rays, Angels, Mariners, and Marlins leaked?

http://bizofbaseball.com/

“You can say… whatever you want, I’ve hear it all before. All you can do is pray for a quick death, which you ain’t gonna get.”

. . . and you’re planning to spend a lot of $$ on FA’s this offseason. It’s all competitive bidding, and you have limited resources.

Q: What’s the one thing you would never do?

A: Declare that you are planning on spending $$ on FA’s.

What he said in the interview was interesting, and it was a great job getting the interview. But I would put a couple million grains of salt on before I swallowed anything BB (or any other MLB GM) said about their intention to spend $$ on FA’s. BB does not want to bid against himself.

At least I hope that is what the situation is…….

On Crawford I would not put it out of the realm of possibility, even though we’re talking about a pretty massive amount of money to bring him here. He did say the other day in the SF Chronichle that he liked the area and the weather in the bay, and that the pitching is pretty good, so of course he would consider coming to Oakland. A lot of it depends on what Tampa’s plans are for next season and beyond etc………something to that effect, at least.

I could see it happening and maybe the A’s use one of their starters as a central piece to a trade that brings someone like a Kemp or Uggla, as has been discussed here plenty, to add that second bat. One would be nice, but adding two bats is what it’s gonna take to put the A’s into contention, in my opinion. Good post NSJ and keep up the good work!

Go A’s!

I think rather than promote Forst, the organisation should think outside the box and hire me.

I’d do everything in my power to bring back Carlos Gonzalez and Andre Ethier. I’d sack Geren and install Chavez as the new manager. I’d also stop the use of the black alternate jersey and replace it with a gold one, the style of which is yet to be determined.

Most importantly – I’d remove the tarp and make all the players wear high socks.

So, AN, do I have your vote? If so please start a write in campaign.

I’d love to see, like, a 4-5 hour retrospective on that season, just for a chance to see that lineup and rotation in action again. I’m looking at you, MLB Network. Knowing full well, of course, that it’ll never happen.

Woo hoo! Come back soon, beast!

So I listened on my way to work today. First, fantastic job Dale! I’m impressed that you were able to get Beane for your inaugural podcast.

The most striking part was when they started to talk about money. Tafoya implied that the A’s would have $20M+ to spend on FAs. Beane pulled back on the assertion we would sign an FA but said that existing players would get raises. In this case, I’m revising my expectations for the offseason:

1. Some of the money will be used to lock up Pennington, Cahill, and Barton to long-term deals to take them through arby.

2. They will at least make an offer to a slugger. Crawford is out for money, so probably Werth. Dunn is less likely.

3. As usual, the A’s will go after a role-player that has some power potential, knowing that 2 is unlikely to work out.

4. In case neither 2 nor 3 work out, Cust will be resigned to another 1 year deal.

5. There will NOT be trading of any of the current 5 rotation guys. In fact, all three of the others may be signed to longer-term deals.