5 MORE Needed Changes for a Productive Second Half

by SupercoolCougs on Jul 15, 2011 10:59 AM PDT

Trade either Cahill/Gonzalez/Anderson to the Cardinals for Colby Rasmus:

Colby Rasmus is a potentially great player whose development is being hindered because of his inability to get along with Tony La Russa. La Russa is manager notorious for his inability to get along with some of his key stars. It’s easy to see some JD Drew comparisons here but Billy Beane’s history shows a tendency to gamble on players with some makeup issues. In this case, Rasmus’ talent is worth the risk.

Brett Anderson is a potentially great pitcher whose development has been hindered by injuries. This was devastating news to hear today about his Tommy John surgery so the A’s may not have much of a trade chip on their hands right now. The A’s need for a hitter and the Cardinals future uncertainty with the Pujols’ contract situation could make them more likely to pull the trigger for a potentially ace level starter to go with Wainwright and Carpenter and the A’s have two of those guys. Colby Rasmus would immediately be the A’s best hitter upon arrival so this makes a good trade for both teams.

Trade Andrew Bailey for Prospects:

With all the talk about Heath Bell moving squads and K Rod being dealt to the Brewers, Andrew Bailey can have some serious trade value for the A’s. He is a two time All Star and an elite closer with an advantage on Bell because of his youth and contract. The A’s, currently, are stocked with plenty of adequate relievers and there’s really no point in having an elite closer when your not winning ballgames. Andrew Bailey is a great player that’s not really useful to the A’s. The right deal for him could significantly improve this team's future outlook.

See what you can get for Coco Crisp, David Dejesus, Michael Wuertz, Rich Harden Josh Willingham.

Whatever you can get.

Play the young guys, lose, get the number 1 overall pick in next year’s draft.

The season is more than halfway over, the A’s are out of it and still lack a franchise bat. What better way to generate some local interest in the team than drafting local kid Kenny Dierkgroeger from Stanford?? I know, I know, PR move… but just sayin’.

#5 Relax…Don’t do anything too urgent

Jemile Weeks is up, Chris Carter is up, Grant Green and Michael Choice are not so far away, so there’s no need for the team to push the panic button and start pulling the trigger on whatever they can find. Rebuilding has taken a little bit longer than expected, and we as fans, understandably may be a little impatient with the results but the A’s can be relevant again, and soon, if they stick to the plan for now.

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Comments

Hmm.

#1: No
#2: Yes
#3: No, the point of trades is to do them if they’re worth doing, not just because you can.
#4: Yes
#5: Is in direct conflict with your point #3. So, yes.

"PECOTA can pretty much kiss my ass."-Nico

by jeepers on Jul 15, 2011 11:21 AM PDT reply actions

#1 depends on which guy.

I’d trade Anderson for Rasmus now.

Sweet is the lore which Nature brings; / Our meddling intellect
Mis-shapes the beauteous forms of things:— / We murder to dissect.

by iglew on Jul 15, 2011 11:32 AM PDT up reply actions

Well, sure.

I’d even throw in the rights to Grant Desme.

"PECOTA can pretty much kiss my ass."-Nico

by jeepers on Jul 15, 2011 11:44 AM PDT up reply actions

I'd throw in Vida Blue as well.

But seriously, folks....

by B-E-D on Jul 15, 2011 11:46 AM PDT up reply actions

Nooooo. Not Father Desme!

We need him to disapprove of our shenanigans.

Sweet is the lore which Nature brings; / Our meddling intellect
Mis-shapes the beauteous forms of things:— / We murder to dissect.

by iglew on Jul 15, 2011 12:07 PM PDT up reply actions

On Point #1

If you were to ask me who the pitcher would be last offseason I would have said Cahill; 2 days ago I would have said Anderson; If you ask me now I think it depends on how you view Gio. Is he an ace in the making or is he an above average starter having a career year? I think its a valid question.

by SupercoolCougs on Jul 15, 2011 12:28 PM PDT reply actions

This brought a question into my mind.

Is the fact that our hitting is so poor, a factor in the opposing teams increase in patience at the plate with our young guns? Since teams don’t have to worry us outscoring them, they can afford to be more selective in their approach at the plate.

i've never tried to rank them to be honest. i guess i like beer.- stm72

by Tutu-late on Jul 15, 2011 12:40 PM PDT up reply actions

On Rasmus

Don’t get me wrong, I like Gio. I just like Rasmus better for a team that needs more of a balancing act between its offense and rotation. Excluding Matt Holliday, Rasmus would be our best all around talent since…Pre 06 Chavez?? Its something to think about.

by SupercoolCougs on Jul 15, 2011 12:58 PM PDT reply actions

since Swisher

Sweet is the lore which Nature brings; / Our meddling intellect
Mis-shapes the beauteous forms of things:— / We murder to dissect.

by iglew on Jul 15, 2011 1:17 PM PDT up reply actions

Michael Taylor should be up immediately, right?

I mean, he’s 25 and a former top prospect. I’m not expecting him to set the world on fire, and his AAA performance this year is mediocre at best. Still, it’s time to give him a shot for 75 games. He’s still got physical tools, and the A’s should see what he does at the major league level. Carter and Taylor (as well as Cardenas) should all get at least 60 starts the rest of the way.

by BWH on Jul 15, 2011 1:31 PM PDT reply actions

Thats a bit of a compliment to Swish, but ok

by SupercoolCougs on Jul 15, 2011 1:51 PM PDT reply actions

Gio Stays!

by RudiFan on Jul 15, 2011 1:58 PM PDT reply actions

My thoughts

maybe but wait till the offseason to see what else we can get.
No if you do #1 because then you will need a closer more
yes to all but Willingham saving him for draft picks may be the best value since even if you offer arb to him he will decline it.
Yes
Bring up Taylor time for him to sink or swim.
Trade for Swisher. The need for pitching by the yanks makes Swisher obtainable. I bet a Balfour for Swisher would get it done. Swisher becomes the A’s everyday 1b.

by Arcman on Jul 15, 2011 4:39 PM PDT reply actions

Looks like Bailey is in fact, drawing some interest

Smart for the A’s to say they need to be overwhelmed as Bailey should come at a much higher price than Bell.
http://bayarea.sbnation.com/oakland-athletics/2011/7/15/2277999/2011-mlb-trade-rumors-andrew-bailey-rumor-athletics-a-s-as

by SupercoolCougs on Jul 15, 2011 5:17 PM PDT reply actions

The yanks should offer their top

Would the phillies trade Brown for him or the yanks morales ?

by Arcman on Jul 15, 2011 6:09 PM PDT up reply actions

I'm not sure

I’m almost always for selling high on the closer, though. There’s always a decent chance you can end up getting more back than you gave up, even if a 5 star guy isn’t in the deal. Definitely a rotation level starter, if say, the A’s were to hypothetically follow through on #1.

by SupercoolCougs on Jul 15, 2011 6:38 PM PDT reply actions

hahahah

they do contradict….

by Amadeus7 on Jul 16, 2011 11:21 PM PDT reply actions

and i would much rather have nick williams...

he is a beast! getting compared to griffey and strawberry. 6’3 195, throws 88 mph, excellent speed and power. im not sure about his contact ability, havent heard much in terms of that. would be our best prospect since chavy.

by Amadeus7 on Jul 16, 2011 11:25 PM PDT reply actions