12/2/06 DLD: Hot Stove's Burning!

by gotgreen on Dec 2, 2006 1:56 PM PST

Happy Saturday, AN!

DLD's are usually pretty slow on the weekend but I'm bored and there are lots of baseball news so I decided to start one. :)

Winter Meetings

The Winter Meetings start on Monday which means rumors are going to start flying like crazy. Some fans love times like that, some fans hate them. I'm somewhere in the middle. I welcome the rumors in the offseason IF they don't involve any of the Athletics.

Mychael Urban wrote an article about things the A's need to address at the Winter Meetings. Urban also has an Athletics Winter Meeting Checklist on the A's official page.

Go do what you do best next week, Billy!

Arbitration Deadline

Yesterday was the deadline for teams to offer arbitration to their arbitration-eligible players. Here's a list of which players were offered and which players were declined arbitration.

The A's offered Zito arbitration but declined on Payton.

Also, the three names that the A's were linked to in the past few weeks (Barry Bonds, Cliff Floyd, Mike Piazza) were also declined arbitration.

Other A's News

The A's have a new Vice President, Sales and Marketing. Congrats to Jim Leahey! He spent the last 14 years with Sony Corporations.

The A's also announced their Spring Training schedule for 2007! I can't WAIT till spring training!! Tickets go on sale on December 8 at 10am PST!

Several of the A's prospects are playing winter ball. Here's an update on how some of them are doing.

(Doug Clark)

New "Moneyball" philosophy? Ken Rosenthal had this to say:

New 'Moneyball' philosophy?

The A's, mindful of the demand for young, affordable talent, have kicked around the idea of trading one of their players with between zero and three years of service time for a bounty of even younger prospects.

A pitcher such as right-hander Joe Blanton, for example, would be tempting to another club -- he won 16 games last season, albeit with a 4.82 ERA, and is still a year away from salary arbitration.

In return, the A's would seek players who still could be with the club when their new ballpark in Fremont, Calif. opens in 2011 or '12.

It's unlikely the A's will execute such a plan, but given the relatively mediocre state of the AL West, they probably could pull it off and still compete for the division title next season.

Non-A's Rumors and Signings

- Jose Guillen was offered arbitration by the Nationals but it is believed that he is going to sign with an American League team. Some sources believe the AL team is the Mariners. (link)

- The Giants signed 34-year-old Dave Roberts to a three-year, $18 million contract. The Giants are also close to re-signing Pedro Feliz. (link

- The Giants are close to signing Rich Aurilia to a two-year deal as well. (link)

- The Indians added Roberto Hernandez and Aaron Fultz to their bullpen. (link)

- Those pesky Rangers are joining the A's in the Mike-Piazza-for-DH hunt. (link)

...

I miss baseball! I hope everybody's staying nice and warm!

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Comments

You know what this link dump needs?

More cowbell!

BigLeagueChoo: rerish noooo

Tony Romo > You

by JLaff on Dec 2, 2006 3:01 PM PST reply actions

that cowbell link made my day!

who needs baseball when you got will ferrell?

thanks j-dawg

"Is this heaven? No, it's the f'ing suburbs."

by LAXile on Dec 2, 2006 7:05 PM PST up reply actions

Mark Kotsay turns 31 today...

Looking forward to BCG's diary...

by baseballnut020 on Dec 2, 2006 3:21 PM PST reply actions

(his back turns 55)

Stat Wonk Futurist

by salb918 on Dec 2, 2006 3:23 PM PST up reply actions

I am so sorry!

I am WAY behind! I hope to get it all done tomorrow! I have Swish, Rich and Kotsay to do! Hopefully I can get them all done tomorrow!

"This is the best hug in the major leagues, right here!" - Swisher Pics

by BobbyCrosbysGirl on Dec 3, 2006 2:01 AM PST up reply actions

Guillen to Mariners

1 year, 5 million.
link.

by mikeA on Dec 2, 2006 4:36 PM PST reply actions

Ozzie? Jose?

What, I have to actually click on the links in the link dump?? ;)

There's no crying in baseball!

by gigglingone on Dec 2, 2006 5:51 PM PST up reply actions

Guillen quote

"I trust that my numbers will be there at the end of the season."
A real team guy. No wonder he's on his eighth team in nine years.

by vk on Dec 2, 2006 6:06 PM PST up reply actions

Also winner

of the "only guy on the team that could hit worth a damn in the 2003 ALCS" award.

"Look its either batman or batman and robin not robin w/o batman robin isn't sh@#."--cchefz71

by jeepers on Dec 2, 2006 7:42 PM PST up reply actions

ALDS*

"Their batters are patient to the point that it's annoying." -Ryan Franklin, Seattle Mariners

by Helloooo 1st on Dec 2, 2006 7:55 PM PST up reply actions

Whoops

Yes. No matter how much I try to revise history...

"Look its either batman or batman and robin not robin w/o batman robin isn't sh@#."--cchefz71

by jeepers on Dec 2, 2006 9:17 PM PST up reply actions

the fact that he had a broken hand...

made it all the more impressive (and seemingly revisionist)

"We don't want haddock and chips, we want cod. In cod we trust." --Ghostigital, the pride of Iceland

by Cutthemullet on Dec 2, 2006 9:24 PM PST up reply actions

his numbers "being there"...

at the end of the season is predicated on he himself actually being there at the end of the season, not a lot to ask of a professional being paid $5 million. For guys like Guillen, Raul Mondesi, and Juan Gonzalez, though, it can be a problem. Aside from injury concerns, think back to his otherwise productive year with the Angels (in 2004 I believe), when he was essentially kicked off the team for the last month or so.

All that being said, that's a contract I would've liked Billy to have matched. Guillen and Beltre seem like belong on the same team though...aggressive hitters with power, athleticism, and the potential to string huge seasons together, but not likely to do so.

"We don't want haddock and chips, we want cod. In cod we trust." --Ghostigital, the pride of Iceland

by Cutthemullet on Dec 2, 2006 9:08 PM PST up reply actions

actually, based on past experience

Guillen is likely to be productive, and -- if he's not on the Angels since that's the only place it happened -- not likely to be kicked off the team.

He probably won't win any "Mr. Congeniality" contests, but when was that made a requirement for a good MLB players?

If he is healthy that's a very good signing for the Mariners.

by OaklandSi on Dec 3, 2006 7:57 AM PST up reply actions

yeah...

"If he's healthy that's a very good signing for the Mariners."

I agree, which is why I said that this was an offer I wish Beane would've matched. Or outbid slightly, I suppose.

"We don't want haddock and chips, we want cod. In cod we trust." --Ghostigital, the pride of Iceland

by Cutthemullet on Dec 3, 2006 7:15 PM PST up reply actions

I think it's close

to the best signing of the offseason. If Guillen is healthy, he'll hit .300 with 30 homers.

"Look its either batman or batman and robin not robin w/o batman robin isn't sh@#."--cchefz71

by jeepers on Dec 4, 2006 7:15 AM PST up reply actions

That leaves the M's with too

many corner outfielders: Ibanez, Snelling, Guillen. One of them could DH or play first base, rotating with Richie Sexson, meaning Ben Broussard is out of a job. In any case, Jeremy Reed really gets shafted.

Broussard would make good platoon partner for Kielty, although I don't know if he can play the outfield. Jeremy Reed is another guy I really like (for no good reason really), and I think the M's will need to move him. I'd love to have him on the roster as a fourth outfielder/backup CF.

Stat Wonk Futurist

by salb918 on Dec 3, 2006 2:10 PM PST up reply actions

kielty platoon

maybe barton would make a good platoon partner for kielty.

A's v Giants "is kind of like the difference between going to see the Ramones and going to see the Bee Gees. A's fans will go see the Ramones." -BB 07/27/05

by xbhaskarx on Dec 3, 2006 2:46 PM PST up reply actions

In Barton's (abbreviated) 2006,

he had a 1000+ OPS against lefties and 700- OPS against righties. (Small sample size warning.)

Stat Wonk Futurist

by salb918 on Dec 3, 2006 2:49 PM PST up reply actions

what about career

or 2005? anything with over 36 at bats?

but yeah, a barton-kielty platoon probably is not an option.

A's v Giants "is kind of like the difference between going to see the Ramones and going to see the Bee Gees. A's fans will go see the Ramones." -BB 07/27/05

by xbhaskarx on Dec 3, 2006 3:01 PM PST up reply actions

I wouldn't bother with a platoon

I am increasingly for Barton being on the opening-day roster, but if he is, I'd prefer it be to play full-time.

"Look its either batman or batman and robin not robin w/o batman robin isn't sh@#."--cchefz71

by jeepers on Dec 4, 2006 7:16 AM PST up reply actions

Giants

Glad to see they settled for the next best thing to giving Juan Pierre $45 mill over 5 years...giving Dave Roberts, a good guy to have around as an extra outfielder/late inning playoff basestealer, a 3-year, $18 million deal. I must say, though, if given the choice between that contract and the nearly identical one signed by Danys Baez with the Orioles (3 yrs, $19 mill), I'll actually take Roberts. If only Peter Angelos owned the other 29 teams in the league, the Giants just might look brilliant.

"We don't want haddock and chips, we want cod. In cod we trust." --Ghostigital, the pride of Iceland

by Cutthemullet on Dec 2, 2006 9:11 PM PST reply actions

Our new DH is mashing in the DWL

Currently hitting .368 with a .490 OBP in 38 at-bats.

"Look its either batman or batman and robin not robin w/o batman robin isn't sh@#."--cchefz71

by jeepers on Dec 2, 2006 9:43 PM PST reply actions

more likely, our new 1B

too early to give up on a 21 year old's fielding by making him DH. they'll have to be desperate to call him up at the start of the season; if they wait two months his arby clock will run another year.

by vk on Dec 3, 2006 12:01 AM PST up reply actions

Fair point on 1B

I don't think starting him in the bigs is desperate. Near as I can tell, all he has left to develop is power, and that will develop just as well in the bigs as it will at AAA.

"Look its either batman or batman and robin not robin w/o batman robin isn't sh@#."--cchefz71

by jeepers on Dec 4, 2006 7:19 AM PST up reply actions

Newsday says Piazza and maybe Floyd to the A's...

A's New acquistions?

...Though the Newsday article disclaims wisely, "Still, one friend of A's general manager Billy Beane warned, "When you think he is going to punt, he might throw a deep post. So unless you see something in the transaction wire, it is never certain."

by Playball on Dec 3, 2006 7:54 AM PST reply actions

from that article:

"Even though the Giants didn't offer Barry Bonds arbitration, a Bonds-Giants reunion seems inevitable. The player and team need each other."

i don't know, after the giants came out and said publicly that bonds wasn't their priority, and now with them not offering arbitration, i can't see bonds returning to the giants.

barry's agent:
"San Francisco's decision not to offer Barry arbitration speaks volumes of their true intentions to have him back in a Giants uniform for the 2007 season," agent Jeff Borris said. "It has been well documented that the Giants were trying to sign Alfonso Soriano, Carlos Lee, Gary Matthews and Juan Pierre. And they have been working diligently in trying to trade for Manny Ramirez. The Giants' actions demonstrate that Barry obviously is not a priority to them."

for the last few years, all the talk was of bonds going to the angels, but we haven't heard much about that now that he's a free agent. it seems like the a's are one of his few remaining options.

why not sign piazza and bonds? that's more money than piazza and floyd, but it's still two one-year deals so it's not so bad.
whatever the price difference is between floyd and bonds, the media hype and increased attendance would take care of it.

A's v Giants "is kind of like the difference between going to see the Ramones and going to see the Bee Gees. A's fans will go see the Ramones." -BB 07/27/05

by xbhaskarx on Dec 3, 2006 10:05 AM PST up reply actions

i hope this is true

the question i'd like to know is how bad is piazza's defense? because i'd rather have floyd (and his legs) DHing more than piazza and have swish back in left, where he seemed to have better numbers...

simple jedi mind tricks?

by ucla kid on Dec 3, 2006 11:20 AM PST up reply actions

as a catcher Piazza can't throw out

anyone trying to steal. His hitting also would benefit by not catching. I have no idea how he would do at 1B, and I doubt he would play any other defensive position.

A healthy Floyd would be in left field more often than not. A not-healthy Floyd won't be in the lineup either.

by OaklandSi on Dec 3, 2006 11:39 AM PST up reply actions

ucla kid, was advocating Piazza at 1st, with Swish

back in the OF, and Floyd at DH.

by theblackpearl on Dec 3, 2006 1:52 PM PST up reply actions

Didn't the Mets try Piazza at first?

I believe it didn't work out and both sides abandoned the idea after a while.

by Philip Christy on Dec 3, 2006 6:45 PM PST up reply actions

It was a half-hearted attempt

Done in the middle of year, with Piazza having the attitude that, "I don't really want to do this, but if you're going to make me look like a prima donna in the press if I don't, I suppose I will."

It would be worth working him out there in the spring, but I don't think we could count on significant playing time.

"Look its either batman or batman and robin not robin w/o batman robin isn't sh@#."--cchefz71

by jeepers on Dec 4, 2006 7:14 AM PST up reply actions

Show Me the Money

The
The A's cannot afford Bonds. $14 million is to much of a risk. Besides, the A's want more than a one year solution. Piazza seems a better fit and more cost effective. Bonds could be an A if he would accept an incentative laden contract. The A's can't wait on Bonds while other options disappear.

Jim

by jarforcefatherofforce on Dec 3, 2006 6:30 PM PST up reply actions

Piazza's only a one-year solution, too

and that's all the A's want, thanks to one Daric Barton.

"We don't want haddock and chips, we want cod. In cod we trust." --Ghostigital, the pride of Iceland

by Cutthemullet on Dec 3, 2006 7:13 PM PST up reply actions

D-Rays sign Hee Seop Choi to minor league contract

I know some ANers wanted to see the A's take a flyer on Choi...

MLB.com

Yahoo!

I'll keep you my dirty little secret...

by baseballnut020 on Dec 3, 2006 7:30 PM PST reply actions

I didn't see it listed yet

ESPN Rumor Central(Insider content) says the A's are close to a contract with Alan Embree to serve as LOOGY.

"The Athletics are close to completing negotiations on a contract with free agent left-handed reliever Embree, reports Buster Olney of ESPN The Magazine. Embree was 4-3 with a 3.27 ERA in 73 games for San Diego last season. Assuming that Oakland is able to sign Embree, it would probably shift left-hander Joe Kennedy, who worked out of the bullpen last year, into the rotation."

I've said it once, but I think Kennedy would very likely give us similar numbers to those put up by Barry Zito this year. I'd sign him for 2-3 years if possible and cost effective.

"You're a terrible ballplayer, but you've always been a great asshole."-salb918 on Ozzie Guillen

by gatling on Dec 3, 2006 9:01 PM PST reply actions

I don't know if Kennedy will be as good

as Barry Zito, but there's a non-terrible chance that he'll give us 150 IP of 4.50 ERA. I guess that's not the worst thing in the world, but I also think that's his upside.

Embree could be better than a LOOGY. In 2007, righties hit 258/306/412 off of him (.333 BABIP, nothing too flukey) and he struck out 25% of righties he faced. He was especially neat against lefties, holding them the 240/288/337 (.308 BABIP) and he struck out 22% of lefties he faced.

Stat Wonk Futurist

by salb918 on Dec 3, 2006 9:41 PM PST up reply actions

Kennedy

His numbers from his last full year as a SP in Colorado were very similar to what Zito did this year. I don't see any reason why he couldn't repeat those numbers.

"You're a terrible ballplayer, but you've always been a great asshole."-salb918 on Ozzie Guillen

by gatling on Dec 3, 2006 9:51 PM PST up reply actions

because he's never done so before or since

would be the main reason why he couldn't repeat those numbers.
by your logic we should bring in luis gonzalez to be our new DH. i don't see any reason why he can't hit 60 home runs.

A's v Giants "is kind of like the difference between going to see the Ramones and going to see the Bee Gees. A's fans will go see the Ramones." -BB 07/27/05

by xbhaskarx on Dec 3, 2006 9:58 PM PST up reply actions

not the same logic at all

By his logic, we'd be bringing in the Luis Gonzalez who hit X amount of homers in 2006, which was his last full season as a full-time hitter. And I'm pretty sure X was around 15 or so.

"We don't want haddock and chips, we want cod. In cod we trust." --Ghostigital, the pride of Iceland

by Cutthemullet on Dec 3, 2006 10:05 PM PST up reply actions

so let's pretend

that his 2001 numbers were "in his last full season as a full time hitter" but in 2004.
after that, he put up a .200 avg, got traded mid season, and has been an fairly effective part-time player ever since.
okay, NOW we can expect luis gonzalez to hit 60 home runs.

A's v Giants "is kind of like the difference between going to see the Ramones and going to see the Bee Gees. A's fans will go see the Ramones." -BB 07/27/05

by xbhaskarx on Dec 3, 2006 10:11 PM PST up reply actions

let's also pretend...

that luis gonzalez isn't 40 years old. Any other facts you want to change to try to make your original point valid?

"We don't want haddock and chips, we want cod. In cod we trust." --Ghostigital, the pride of Iceland

by Cutthemullet on Dec 3, 2006 10:16 PM PST up reply actions

yeah

can we give him better facial hair?

A's v Giants "is kind of like the difference between going to see the Ramones and going to see the Bee Gees. A's fans will go see the Ramones." -BB 07/27/05

by xbhaskarx on Dec 3, 2006 10:17 PM PST up reply actions

will Scott Speizio's work?

"We don't want haddock and chips, we want cod. In cod we trust." --Ghostigital, the pride of Iceland

by Cutthemullet on Dec 3, 2006 10:19 PM PST up reply actions

lol

Me and your kid probably have the same IQ!! -Swisher to Chavvy

My Blog

by rungood on Dec 4, 2006 8:00 AM PST up reply actions

in other words...

the logic was last full year, not career year. Though admittedly for Kennedy they are one and the same (in a sense...despite his reduced role relative to that year starting with the Rockies, you would probably actually say last year was the best of his career. Contract years can do wonders...)

"We don't want haddock and chips, we want cod. In cod we trust." --Ghostigital, the pride of Iceland

by Cutthemullet on Dec 3, 2006 10:07 PM PST up reply actions

Disagree

His numbers in Oakland have been as good as the season I mentioned. While it's been in a relief role, he's been effective. To me, his 2003 season and the Colorado portion of 2005 are the exceptions to his career. His numbers in his first two season in Tampa Bay were pretty good, especially when playing in the potent AL East.

I think like Gaudin, Kennedy was a guy who was rushed to the majors by the D-Rays organization. He had only 73 IP above High A before starting 20 games for Tampa in 2001. This is a guy who was in the bigs at least 2 years before he should have been, and he put up damn respectable numbers at age 22 and 23 when not really ready for the show. I think he'll be ok as a starter, but I could be wrong.

"You're a terrible ballplayer, but you've always been a great asshole."-salb918 on Ozzie Guillen

by gatling on Dec 3, 2006 10:17 PM PST up reply actions

Further

The fact that Kennedy has been equally effective against lefties and righties in relief suggests that he could also be effective in a starting role.

"Look its either batman or batman and robin not robin w/o batman robin isn't sh@#."--cchefz71

by jeepers on Dec 4, 2006 7:21 AM PST up reply actions

Wrong

Kennedy had very impressive seasons at age 22 and 23, probably 2 years before he should have seen a big league game. He was rushed to the majors. I'd say it's entirely possible he comes closer to the 807 minor and major league innings that are more like what I expect from him than the 225 IP in which he pitched poorly. But you could be right.

"You're a terrible ballplayer, but you've always been a great asshole."-salb918 on Ozzie Guillen

by gatling on Dec 3, 2006 10:22 PM PST up reply actions

you're joeken

i don't know if kennedy will put up zito numbers (220 innings with an era below 4), but he doesn't really have to.
kennedy doesn't really fit in so he won't be here for long, mychael urban said so in 2005.

A's v Giants "is kind of like the difference between going to see the Ramones and going to see the Bee Gees. A's fans will go see the Ramones." -BB 07/27/05

by xbhaskarx on Dec 3, 2006 9:41 PM PST up reply actions

Zito vs. Kennedy

Zito 2006

221 IP 3.83 ERA 1.40 WHIP .759 OPSA 1.53 K/BB

Kennedy 2004

162.1 IP 3.66 ERA 1.42 WHIP .765 OPSA 1.75 K/BB

I think it's possible that Kennedy could match these numbers without too much difficulty. The ERA will no doubt rise to a bit over 4 likely, but I think he can easily match the peripheral numbers of his 2004 season as well as Zito's 2006 year. I'd take similar production for less than half the price.

"You're a terrible ballplayer, but you've always been a great asshole."-salb918 on Ozzie Guillen

by gatling on Dec 3, 2006 10:01 PM PST up reply actions

he may match zito's

whip and k/bb and whatnot, but zito always put up a better era than expected, and that's what matters at the end of the day.
also note the big difference in innings pitched.

A's v Giants "is kind of like the difference between going to see the Ramones and going to see the Bee Gees. A's fans will go see the Ramones." -BB 07/27/05

by xbhaskarx on Dec 3, 2006 10:08 PM PST up reply actions

that's about the only difference...

every other stat is amazingly close...and he was pitching in Colorado. Great season for JFK.

The Byrnes for Witasick and Kennedy trade was clearly way more about Kennedy than it was about Witasick. And when Beane trades for a guy he wants, he usually gives the guy ample opportunity to succeed. So Kennedy to the rotation would make sense, from that perspective. And contract-wise, he'll be a bargain.

"We don't want haddock and chips, we want cod. In cod we trust." --Ghostigital, the pride of Iceland

by Cutthemullet on Dec 3, 2006 10:13 PM PST up reply actions

yes he's a bargain

and i have no problem with kennedy in the rotation, but: "i don't know if kennedy will put up zito numbers (220 innings with an era below 4)"

you say that's about the only difference, i say that (innings pitched and era) is what matters in the end.

A's v Giants "is kind of like the difference between going to see the Ramones and going to see the Bee Gees. A's fans will go see the Ramones." -BB 07/27/05

by xbhaskarx on Dec 3, 2006 10:20 PM PST up reply actions

only difference...

I was referring only to the innings pitched. I wasn't projecting Kennedy's 2007 season, I was just looking at the comparison of his 2004 season and Zito's '06, where Kennedy's ERA was actually better. I wonder what his road ERA was that year (I'll look it up).

"We don't want haddock and chips, we want cod. In cod we trust." --Ghostigital, the pride of Iceland

by Cutthemullet on Dec 3, 2006 10:24 PM PST up reply actions

Kennedy

3.73 Road ERA in 2004

3.59 Home ERA in 2004

"You're a terrible ballplayer, but you've always been a great asshole."-salb918 on Ozzie Guillen

by gatling on Dec 3, 2006 10:31 PM PST up reply actions

thanks...

yeah, just looked it up...do you know what caused him to miss a few starts that year?

"We don't want haddock and chips, we want cod. In cod we trust." --Ghostigital, the pride of Iceland

by Cutthemullet on Dec 3, 2006 10:39 PM PST up reply actions

From what I found

He missed time due to shoulder inflammation and soreness in July of 2004. He also might have missed a start late in the year due to a suspension for fighting with none other than Jason Kendall.

"You're a terrible ballplayer, but you've always been a great asshole."-salb918 on Ozzie Guillen

by gatling on Dec 3, 2006 11:10 PM PST up reply actions

hah

no wonder Urban said he didn't fit in...

"We don't want haddock and chips, we want cod. In cod we trust." --Ghostigital, the pride of Iceland

by Cutthemullet on Dec 4, 2006 12:09 AM PST up reply actions

Kennedy

If Kennedy gets 34 starts like Zito did, he'll put up 200 IP. He's averaged just under 6 IP per start for his career. Will he put up an ERA of 3.83? Probably not, but I don't think 4.20-4.30 is unreasonable. As a more experienced, more mature pitcher I could see Kennedy hovering around 4.00 this year, with a quarter run either way possible.

"You're a terrible ballplayer, but you've always been a great asshole."-salb918 on Ozzie Guillen

by gatling on Dec 3, 2006 10:30 PM PST up reply actions

200 ip

but kennedy is probably more likely to spend time on the DL than zito.
i agree, low 4s isn't unreasonable.

A's v Giants "is kind of like the difference between going to see the Ramones and going to see the Bee Gees. A's fans will go see the Ramones." -BB 07/27/05

by xbhaskarx on Dec 3, 2006 10:38 PM PST up reply actions

Kennedy in '04

no, it's not a retrospective political campaign, though it could be...

162 1/3 IP over 27 GS, which, interestingly enough, would equal exactly 6 IP per start if not for that extra third of an inning...so I guess we'll have to say he averaged 6 1/81 innings per start, heh. Well, if you're really pro-Kennedy and want to put some positive spin on that year's performance, you can just say he averaged 6+ innings per start and leave it at that.

Interestingly enough, his home/away performance didn't differ much. At home, his ERA was 3.59 and his WHIP was 1.48, in 14 starts; in the 13 starts on the road, he had a slightly higher ERA (3.73), but a lower WHIP (1.36). I guess, for that year at least, he didn't suffer from the common symptom of Coors Field Pitching Syndrome, a hanging curveball.

Anyone know why he missed some starts in 2004?

"We don't want haddock and chips, we want cod. In cod we trust." --Ghostigital, the pride of Iceland

by Cutthemullet on Dec 3, 2006 10:39 PM PST up reply actions

also note

that you're comparing zito's last year to kennedy two years ago.
and that zito has put up similar numbers throughout his career whereas kennedy hasn't.

A's v Giants "is kind of like the difference between going to see the Ramones and going to see the Bee Gees. A's fans will go see the Ramones." -BB 07/27/05

by xbhaskarx on Dec 3, 2006 10:12 PM PST up reply actions

Joe Kennedy...

just another tired act

"We don't want haddock and chips, we want cod. In cod we trust." --Ghostigital, the pride of Iceland

by Cutthemullet on Dec 3, 2006 10:18 PM PST up reply actions

maybe Embree...

is the one we will use as a SP. I know he has been a career RP, but many people have siad that he should have been a starter and got stuck in a role. I know, I know, the guy is 35, but...I dont know. He does have a career 4.5 era, even with a 7.5 season thrown in.

Its late, and I am desperate for interesting A's rumours. never mind.

by mikedaviswhereareyou on Dec 3, 2006 10:18 PM PST up reply actions

I would approve of an Embree signing

"Look its either batman or batman and robin not robin w/o batman robin isn't sh@#."--cchefz71

by jeepers on Dec 4, 2006 7:24 AM PST up reply actions

out of...

the 4 months Kennedy was healthy for in 2006, in 2 of them, he did not give up an earned run. Even if he only pitched 18 innings over 21 appearances between those two months (April and August), that's shutdown relief pitching.

"We don't want haddock and chips, we want cod. In cod we trust." --Ghostigital, the pride of Iceland

by Cutthemullet on Dec 3, 2006 10:52 PM PST reply actions

http://www.silverandblackpride.com/

by saint @ Athletics Nation on Dec 4, 2006 10:17 AM PST reply actions

Bad news

The f*&^ing Angels are talking to Piazza now.
http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2685697

A-holes. They ain't gonna sign him.

by Philip Christy on Dec 4, 2006 10:24 AM PST reply actions

Athletics named Ty Van Burkleo hitting coach.

Who the hell is Ty Van Burkleo?

Why does being an A's fan require deep research adn a face book when we sign or hire someone?

by mikedaviswhereareyou on Dec 4, 2006 12:41 PM PST reply actions

Ty

At the plate he was 5-for-38, a .132 batting average. His one home run was hit on August 16, 1993 against Detroit Tigers right-hander Bill Gullickson.

Never mind. This guy has major league hitter written all over him.

by mikedaviswhereareyou on Dec 4, 2006 12:42 PM PST up reply actions